A large contract is signed by an industrial manufacturer. The monthly production demands rise, but the facility isn’t gaining area for floor, skilled employees, or hours in the daytime. An increase in production for a short period may be possible, but adding another shift can introduce new labor requirements as well as training, supervision, and quality control.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Situations like this reveal an important purpose of robotic automation. Robotics does not only replace people with machines. It is able to transform the way that manufacturers utilize their existing capacity for production.
Have a look at the time that passes between products
Manufacturing inefficiency doesn’t need to be a major issue. Imagine an operator spending 15 seconds looking for a particular component for 10 seconds, then applying the material, then several seconds moving it. On one aspect it’s not much of a difference. Repeated thousands of times these seconds can turn into significant production time.
The same applies to wasted material. This is also true for the waste material.
Before selecting the equipment they need, businesses considering robotic automation Australia could benefit from analyzing the tiny losses. ASA’s needs analysis aims to uncover bottlenecks as well the quality of work, waste and other limitations to process that could impact an automation project.
The robot must fit the process around it
The selection of a robot represents only one decision in engineering. The system could also require tools, guarding and controls, sensors, conveyors, fixtures, electrical integration, and communications with existing production equipment. Engineers should think about the range, payload, and how the robot will move and interact in the surrounding.
ASA provides concept development, system design and offline programming in its approach to robotic automation. Digital simulation lets engineers investigate configurations and estimate cycles before the system is operating on the customer’s factory floor. This is particularly useful when there is a shortage of space or if new robotics need to be incorporated into the existing lines of production.
The importance of repeatability in painting and dispensing
Certain manufacturing processes highlight the importance of controlled movement especially well. Imagine coating hundreds, or thousands of components. It’s not just about completing the components quickly is the desired outcome. It’s crucial to regulate the speed, distance, and the movement of every component from the beginning until the final.
ASA has experts working on painting and dispensing solutions across industries including automotive and aerospace. Industrial robotic automation in these settings will allow for repeatable movement and reduce the risk of workers to physically demanding processes or procedures that could be hazardous.
Reduced waste and improvement of productivity can be accomplished through better management.
Even after the installation it still needs individuals
Automating doesn’t completely eliminate the need for manufacturing knowledge. It alters the knowledge required to run and maintain the manufacturing process.
Employees must be able to spot abnormal behavior and solve problems, as well as do the proper maintenance. The production requirements can also alter, which means that the processes and programs could require adjustment later.
ASA offers on-site training in safe operation, programming and troubleshooting as well as mechanical and electrical maintenance. The company also provides servicing and ongoing support to check equipment condition and address wear over the system’s operating time.
Capacity is greater than working faster
The expansion of capacity for Australian manufacturers doesn’t necessarily require the purchase of a larger building or adding more workers to routine processes. It’s sometimes more beneficial to inquire about whether the production procedure could be altered.
ASA has been working on and integrating automation solutions in Australia since 2002. We also help with projects overseas. Its approach combines needs analysis, engineering simulation, FANUC integration along with training and servicing.
The objective isn’t automation just for the sake of automation. Any system that is worth investing in should provide a company with quantifiable results, which include better production reliability, higher quality, safer processes and reduced waste, or an increase in capacity.