A manufacturer is awarded an enormous contract. Even though the production needs for each month have increased, the facility does not suddenly have more area for floor or skilled workers. An increase in production for a short period could be possible, however adding another shift can introduce new labor requirements training, supervision, and quality control.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Situations like this reveal an important purpose of robotic automation. Robotics doesn’t just replace humans with machines. If it is used correctly it can transform the way companies use the capacity they already have.
Have a look at the time that passes between products
Manufacturing inefficiency doesn’t need to be dramatic. For instance, suppose an operator is spending 15 seconds positioning a component, another 10 seconds applying the material, and a few seconds transferring it to the next process. On one piece, the difference seems insignificant. These seconds add up when multiplied by thousands.
The waste material that is discarded is not different. Similar is the case for the waste material.
Companies looking into robotic automation Australia projects may gain from examining these minor, repeated losses before choosing the right equipment. The analysis provided by ASA is designed to pinpoint problems with quality and bottlenecks, as also the waste that can be a problem in a plan.
A Robot Has to Fit the Process Itself
The decision to choose a robot is only one of the decisions in engineering. It is possible to include tooling, guarding and controls sensors and conveyers, fixtures, electrical integration, and communication with the existing production equipment. Engineers should consider reach and payload when determining how the robot can move around its area of work and interact with everything around it.
ASA offers conceptual development, design of systems and offline programming as part of its method of robotic automation. Engineers can investigate system configurations and estimate the number of cycles required before the system is finally installed on the factory floor. This is particularly helpful 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.
Certain manufacturing processes show the importance of controlled movement particularly well. Imagine covering a variety of components. The final result doesn’t come from complete each component at a rapid pace. From the time of beginning production through the conclusion, the movement, speed, distance and application must be controlled.
ASA has experts who work with paint and dispensing application across all industries, including aeronautics, automotive and aerospace. Industrial robotic automation in these industries allows for reproducible movements while reducing the exposure of workers to physical demands or processes that could be hazardous.
A better control of waste materials can also help improve productivity by decreasing the amount of unneeded material consumed.
The System Still Needs People Even After Installation
Automation does not completely eliminate the requirement for expert manufacturing. It requires new skills to run and maintain the manufacturing process.
Employees should be able recognize abnormal behavior and troubleshoot problems, as well as carry out the correct maintenance. Production requirements can change, meaning the processes and programs could require adjustment later.
ASA offers training on site that covers programming, safe operation, troubleshooting, and electrical and mechanical maintenance. The company provides continuous maintenance and servicing to ensure that equipment is in good working order and wear and tear issues are addressed.
Capacity is the capacity to work more quickly
In Australia, expanding production capacity doesn’t always mean adding more employees to repetitive jobs or buying larger structures. The best question to ask is whether the current manufacturing process can be improved.
ASA has been working on and integrating automation systems since 2002, supporting companies in Australia as well as projects across the globe. Its method of analysis connects needs, engineering, simulation, FANUC robot integration training, servicing, and maintenance.
Automating for automation’s sake isn’t the objective. Any system that is worth investing in must provide the manufacturer with measurable results, like greater reliability in production, better quality, safer processes with less waste, or a greater capacity.