A large contract is signed by the manufacturer. Even though the production needs for each month have risen, the manufacturing facility does not have an increase in flooring or experienced workers. While adding a second shift could temporarily aid, it might be a source of new work, supervision, training and demands for quality-control.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Situations like this reveal an important purpose of robotic automation. Robotics doesn’t just mean replacing human workers with machines. When used in the right way it can transform the way producers use the capacity they have.
Watch the second-to-second time between products
Manufacturing inefficiency doesn’t have to be noticeable. A worker may take 15 seconds assembling the component and then 10 seconds putting on substances, and then a few seconds to move it to the next step. The time difference could seem minor even for a single piece of equipment. Repeated thousands of times but those seconds turn into important production times.
It’s the same for waste material. Similar is the case for the waste material.
Before choosing the equipment they need, businesses considering robotic automation Australia can gain from analysing these tiny losses. AAS’s Needs Analysis aims to pinpoint bottlenecks, as well quality issues, waste and other process limitations that might affect an automation plan.
Robots need to be able work with the system.
A robot is one of many engineering decisions. Guardings, tools, controls sensors, conveyors and fixtures could also be needed. Engineers must consider the reach, payload and how the robot will operate and interact with the environment.
The ASA approach to FANUC robot automation is to use concept development, system design including CAD Simulation, offline Programming. The digital simulation allows engineers examine configurations, estimate cycle times, and evaluate the system before it becomes in operation on the floor of the customer’s. It is particularly helpful in situations where there is a restricted amount of space, or when the new robotics has to integrate with the production line.
It is crucial to have repeatability in painting and dispensing
Certain manufacturing processes demonstrate the importance of controlled movement. Imagine coating hundreds, or thousands of components. The desired result isn’t merely complete each component at a rapid pace. From the start of production to the end the speed, movement and distance must be managed.
ASA is a team of experts working in the field of dispensing and painting across all industries, including aeronautics and automotive. In these industries, industrial robotic automation can provide regular, programmatic movements and minimizes exposure of employees to physically challenging or potentially dangerous processes.
The reduction in wasted materials and an increase in productivity can be achieved through better management.
The installation of the system isn’t enough. It is still necessary to have people to keep it running.
Automation doesn’t eliminate the requirement for expert manufacturing. Automation alters the knowledge required to manage and control the manufacturing process.
Employees must be able to operate equipment in a safe manner identify abnormal behavior as well as troubleshoot issues and conduct the necessary maintenance. The production needs can change in time, meaning that processes and programs will need to be adjusted.
ASA provides on-site training in safe operation, programming and troubleshooting. It also offers electrical and mechanical maintenance. The company provides servicing and support to check equipment condition, and addressing wear throughout the lifetime of the system.
Capacity refers to more than the ability to work faster
For Australian manufacturers, increasing capacity doesn’t necessarily mean buying more space or adding labor to repetitive processes. The best question to ask is whether the existing production process can still be improved.
ASA has been designing and the integration of automation solutions since 2002. It assists the manufacturing industry in Australia as well as international projects. The approach is a combination of needs analysis as well as engineering simulation. FANUC integration training, and service.
Automating for automation’s sake isn’t a goal. A successful system must give a manufacturer something measurable in the form of more reliable production that is consistent in quality, more secure procedures, less waste or a greater capacity in the facility it operates.
