A manufacturer is awarded a large contract. Although the monthly production requirements have grown, the plant doesn’t suddenly have more area for floor or skilled workers. The addition of a second shift could help temporarily, but it could also introduce new labor, training, supervision, and quality-control requirements.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
This situation reveals a key motive behind robotic automation. Robotics is not just replacing humans with machines. A good application could change the way in which manufacturers make use of their capacity to produce.
Check out the Seconds that Change Between Products
Inefficiency in manufacturing doesn’t have to be noticeable. Imagine a person spending 15 seconds looking for a particular component after which they spend 10 seconds putting the material, then several seconds moving it. For one part, the difference seems insignificant. Repeated thousands of times the seconds are substantial production time.
It’s the same with wasted material. The addition of a tiny amount of extra coating or dispensing materials in a huge production run can result in a significant expense.
Before choosing the equipment they will require, companies looking at robotic automation Australia will benefit from studying these tiny losses. AAS’s Needs Analysis aims to identify bottlenecks as well quality issues, waste and other limitations to process that could impact an automation project.
Robots should be able to integrate into the process.
A robot’s selection is only one decision in engineering. Tools, guardings, controls, sensor, conveyors and fixtures are also needed. Engineers must consider the reach of the robot and its payload, as well as how it will interact with its environment and move around.
ASA provides conceptual development, system design, CAD simulation, and offline programming as part of its approach to FANUC’s robotic automation. Engineers can explore system configurations and estimate the number of cycles required before the system is finally installed on the floor of the factory. It’s particularly useful when there is a limited area or new robotics needs to integrate with an existing production line.
The importance of repeatability in painting and dispensing
Certain manufacturing processes demonstrate the importance of controlled movement. Imagine coating hundreds or thousands of parts. The desired result isn’t merely the process of completing every component in a short time. The distance, movement speed, and application need to remain controlled starting from the beginning of the production line until the time of its completion.
ASA’s specialists are experienced in dispensing and painting across various industries such as automotive and aerospace. In these environments, industrial robotic automation can provide repeatable programmed movement while also reducing employee exposure to physically demanding or potentially hazardous processes.
The reduction of wasted materials and an increase in productivity is possible through better control.
Installation of the system isn’t enough. Still, you need someone to manage it.
Automation does not eliminate the need for expertise in manufacturing. It changes the skills required for operating and maintaining the process.
Employees must be able to recognize unusual behavior and resolve problems, as well as perform the appropriate maintenance. Processes and programs can be adjusted later if production requirements shift.
ASA provides training on-site for safe operation, programming troubleshooting, as well as electrical and mechanical maintenance. The company also provides regular maintenance and servicing to ensure that the equipment is in good condition and wear and tear issues are addressed.
Capacity is more than Being able to work faster
In Australia, boosting production capacity is not always about hiring more workers for repetitive tasks or purchasing bigger structures. Sometimes, the best question is whether the present manufacturing process could be designed differently.
ASA has been developing and integration of automation solutions since 2002. It supports the manufacturing industry in Australia and also international projects. Its strategy combines analysis of needs and engineering simulation with FANUC integration training, and service.
Automation is not the goal. An investment-worthy system will provide a manufacturer with tangible outcomes, such as greater reliability in production, better quality, more secure procedures with less waste, or a greater capacity.