A company is awarded a significant contract. The monthly production needs increase but the company has no room and employees with experience or more hours to work during the daytime. A second shift may help in the short term, but it could create new labor, training, supervision, and quality-control demands.
This situation highlights a major need for robotic automation. Robotics does not only replace people with machines. A good application could change the way manufacturers utilize their production capacity.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Check out the seconds between the products
Manufacturing inefficiency doesn’t have to be dramatic. Suppose an operator spends 15 seconds arranging a part for 10 seconds, then another 10 seconds applying material, and several more seconds transferring it to the next operation. The time difference could seem minor even for a single piece of equipment. If repeated thousands of times however these seconds can increase production by a significant amount.
Same goes for waste material. Similar is the case for waste material.
Before deciding on the equipment that they require, businesses looking into robotic automation Australia can benefit by analyzing the tiny losses. ASA’s needs analysis aims to identify bottlenecks as well problems with quality, waste and other process constraints which could impact an automation project.
A Robot has to fit the Process Itself
The selection of a robot is only one of the decisions in engineering. It might be necessary to incorporate tooling, security and controls sensors as well as conveyers, fixtures electrical integration and communication to the production equipment already in place. Engineers should take into consideration reach, payload and how the robot will move and interact in the environment.
ASA provides concept development, system design, CAD simulation, and offline programming as part of its approach to FANUC robotic automation. The digital simulation allows engineers to to explore the possibilities of configurations, estimate cycle times, and to test the system prior to it becoming operational on the customer’s floor. This is especially helpful when space is limited or when a new robot needs to be incorporated into existing production lines.
Paint and Dispensing demonstrates why Replicability is Important
Controlled movement is especially important in some manufacturing processes. Imagine applying a coating to hundreds of components. Not just completing components quickly is what you want to achieve. It is important to control the speed, distance and movement of each piece from beginning to close of the process.
ASA has experts who work with dispensing applications and paint across various industries, such as aeronautics and automobile. In these areas, industrial robotic automation offers the ability to repeat, programmed, and controlled movements. It also reduces exposure of employees to physically challenging or potentially hazardous processes.
A better management of waste materials can also contribute to productivity improvements by reducing the amount of unnecessary material that is consumed.
Even after the installation it still needs individuals
Automation doesn’t substitute for manufacturing expertise. The skills required to operate, maintain, and run the process change.
Employees should be able recognize abnormal behavior and troubleshoot issues, and take the necessary maintenance. The processes and procedures are able to be changed later if production requirements are changed.
ASA provides training on site covering safety, programming troubleshooting, mechanical and electrical maintenance. The company provides continuous maintenance and services to ensure that equipment is in good order and wear and tear issues are addressed.
Capacity Is About More Than working faster
The expansion of capacity for Australian manufacturers doesn’t always involve buying a bigger facility or adding more labor to repeat processes. Sometimes, the best question is whether the current production process can be engineered differently.
ASA has been creating and the integration of automation solutions since 2002. It assists companies in Australia and international projects. Its strategy combines analysis of needs along with engineering simulation FANUC integration as well as training and maintenance.
Automation isn’t the goal. An investment-worthy system will provide a manufacturer with tangible results, like greater reliability in production, better quality, safer procedures and reduced waste, or an increase in capacity.