A large contract is signed by an industrial manufacturer. Production requirements for the month rise, but the facility isn’t gaining floors, employees with experience or even hours per daytime. Although adding another shift may temporarily help, it could also create new jobs as well as training, supervision, and demands for quality-control.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Situations like this reveal an important purpose of robotic automation. It’s not just about replacing human beings with a machine. A good application could change the way manufacturers utilize their capacity to produce.
Have a look at the seconds that disappear between the products
Manufacturing inefficiency doesn’t need to be dramatic. Imagine a person spending 15 seconds looking for a particular component and then 10 seconds putting it into the material, then several seconds transferring it. The difference may seem insignificant even for a single piece of equipment. These seconds add up when multiplied by thousands.
It’s the same with waste material. A small amount of excess coating or dispensing material that is multiplied in a production run with a high volume could be a substantial expense.
Before selecting the equipment they need, businesses considering robotic automation Australia could benefit from analyzing these tiny losses. ASA’s needs analysis is intended to pinpoint bottlenecks, issues with quality, waste as well as other limitations to process that may affect an automation project.
A Robot must be able to integrate the Process Itself
The choice of a robotics system is only one of the decisions in engineering. Tooling, guardings, controls, sensor, conveyors and fixtures could also be necessary. Engineers must consider the reach, payload and how the robot is going to move and interact with the environment.
ASA offers the ability to develop concepts, system design and offline programming in its approach to robotic automation. Engineers can investigate system configurations and calculate cycles prior to when the finished system is installed in the factory floor. This is especially useful when space is constrained or when new robotics have to integrate with a production line that is already in place.
Painting and Dispensing Show Why the importance of repeatability is evident.
Controlled movement is crucial in some manufacturing processes. Imagine applying a protective coating to hundreds of parts. It’s not just about completing the components quickly is the desired outcome. It is crucial to manage the speed, distance and movement of each piece from the beginning to the at the very end.
Our specialists have experience painting and dispensing across different industries such as aerospace and automotive. Industrial robotics automation in these areas can allow for repeatable movements while limiting exposure of workers to physically demanding processes or those that could be dangerous.
A better control of materials that are discarded can contribute to productivity improvements by increasing the quantity of material that is consumed.
Even after installation, the system still requires users
Automatism doesn’t replace manufacturing knowledge. The knowledge required to manage, maintain and control the process evolve.
Employees should be trained to safely use equipment as well as to spot abnormal behavior and troubleshoot malfunctioning components and carry out necessary maintenance. Production requirements can change, meaning programs and processes may need adjustments later on.
ASA provides on-site training in safe operation, programming, troubleshooting, in addition to maintenance for electrical and mechanical components. The company provides servicing and assistance for assessing the condition of equipment and addressing wear throughout the lifespan of the equipment.
Capacity is more than just working faster
In Australia, boosting production capacity doesn’t always mean hiring more workers for repetitive tasks or purchasing bigger structures. It’s often better to ask if the production process could be redesigned.
ASA has been developing and integrating automation systems in Australia since 2002. We also support projects in other countries. Its approach combines needs analysis as well as engineering simulation. FANUC integration along with training and servicing.
Automation is not the only goal. An investment in a system will provide a manufacturer with tangible outcomes, such as increased reliability of production, improved quality, more secure procedures and reduced waste, or an increase in capacity.