A manufacturer gets the contract for a significant amount. The production requirements for the month increase however the facility does not have enough space and has employees with previous experience or more hours to work during the day. An increase in production for a short period might be possible, but adding another shift can introduce new demands for labor as well as training, supervision, and quality control.
These situations reveal a very important reason for robotic automation. Robotics isn’t only about replacing human workers with machines. If used properly it can alter how companies use the capacity they have.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Look at the time that passes between the products
Manufacturing inefficiency doesn’t need to be a major issue. For instance, suppose an operator is spending 15 seconds arranging a part after which another 10 seconds are spent applying material, and several more seconds to transfer it to the next step. For one part it’s not much of a difference. Repeated thousands of times, but those seconds turn into an enormous amount of production time.
The same is true for scrap material. The addition of a tiny amount of additional coating or dispensing materials over a long production run can result in substantial costs.
Companies considering robotic automation Australia can benefit by analyzing these tiny loss, repeated ones before they decide which equipment to buy. ASA’s analysis of needs is designed to reveal bottlenecks and quality issues, as also any other limitations during a project.
The robot should fit the procedure around it.
A robot is just one of many engineering options. It may be necessary to add tooling, guarding and controls sensors and conveyers, fixtures, electrical integration, and communication with existing production equipment. Engineers must consider reach and payload while also making decisions about how the robot will move through its work area and interact with everything surrounding it.
ASA provides concept development, system design, CAD simulation, and offline programming as part of its approach to FANUC robotic automation. The digital simulation lets engineers examine configurations, estimate cycle times and test the system before it is operational on the customer’s floor. This is particularly helpful when space is limited or when new robotics have to integrate into an existing production line.
Painting and dispensing show why It’s Important to Repeat
Certain manufacturing processes highlight the importance of controlling movements. Imagine applying a coat to hundreds of parts. Not just completing components quickly is the desired outcome. It is important to control the speed, distance, and the movement of every component from the beginning to the final.
ASA has experts working on painting and dispensing applications across a variety of industries, including automotive and aerospace. Industrial robotics automation in these areas can allow for repeatable movements as well as limiting the exposure of workers to physical demanding processes or processes that could be dangerous.
An improved control over the waste material can also increase productivity by decreasing the amount of unneeded materials used.
Installation of the system isn’t enough. Still, you need someone to maintain it.
Automation doesn’t remove the requirement for knowledge in manufacturing. The skills required to operate, maintain, and operate the process shift.
The employees must know how to operate equipment in a safe manner, recognize abnormal behavior, troubleshoot faults, and conduct the necessary maintenance. Production requirements can also alter, indicating that programs and processes may need adjustment later.
ASA offers training on site including programming, safety as well as troubleshooting techniques and electrical and mechanical maintenance. Additionally, the company provides maintenance and ongoing support to monitor the condition of equipment and address issues that may arise during the equipment’s operational lifespan.
Capacity is more than just working more quickly
For Australian producers, expanding capacity doesn’t mean purchasing an additional building or increasing the amount of labor required to perform repetitive tasks. It’s sometimes more beneficial to ask if the production procedure could be altered.
ASA has been working on and integrating automation solutions since 2002. It has assisted manufacturers in Australia and also projects across the globe. Its approach combines the analysis of requirements with engineering, simulations FANUC robotic integration and training and also servicing.
Automation is not for the sake of it. A system that is effective should provide manufacturers something tangible in yield, more stable production and quality, as well as safer procedures, less waste or additional capacity from the factory it already operates.
