A significant contract is won by the manufacturer. Even though the production needs for each month have increased, the facility doesn’t suddenly have more flooring or experienced workers. An increase in production for a short period may be possible, but 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 is not just replacing humans with machines. It can be used to transform the way that manufacturers utilize their existing capacity for production.
Take a look at the time that passes between products
Inefficiency in manufacturing isn’t always so dramatic. An operator could spend 15 seconds assembling the component and then 10 seconds putting on substances, and then a few seconds more to move it to the next step. It may appear to be a small difference for one component. If repeated a thousand times the seconds could create significant production time.
The same is true for wasted material. Same goes for the waste material.
Before making a decision on the equipment they will require, companies looking at robotic automation Australia will benefit from studying the small loss. The analysis conducted by ASA’s Needs Analysis is designed to find bottlenecks, issues with quality, waste and other constraints to the process which could affect the automation project.
Robots need to be able fit into the process.
The choice of a robot is just one engineering decision. It is possible to incorporate tooling, security and controls sensors, conveyers, fixtures, electrical integration and communication to the production equipment already in place. Engineers need to consider the robot’s reach and payload, and how it interact with its surroundings and how it will move.
ASA offers concepts development, 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 to test the system before it becomes in operation on the floor of the customer’s. This is particularly useful when there are space constraints or when a new robot needs to be incorporated into the existing lines of production.
The importance of repeatability when painting and dispensing
Some manufacturing processes illustrate the value of controlled movement especially well. Imagine applying a coat to hundreds of parts. It’s not enough to finish each component quickly. From the moment of starting production until the final stage moving, speed as well as the distance to be applied must be managed.
ASA has experts who deal with paint and dispensing application across industries, including aeronautics and automobile. In these settings industrial robotic automation is able to offer repeatable programming while reducing exposure of employees to physically demanding or dangerous processes.
Better control of the waste material can also help improve productivity by decreasing the amount of unneeded material that is consumed.
The System Needs people after the installation.
Automation doesn’t eliminate the need for manufacturing expertise. Automation transforms the skills required to operate and maintain the manufacturing process.
Employees need to know how to safely operate equipment, recognize abnormal behavior, troubleshoot faults, and conduct the necessary maintenance. Production requirements can alter, which means that the processes and programs could require adjustments later on.
ASA offers training on site covering safety, programming, troubleshooting and mechanical and electric maintenance. The company offers servicing and assistance for assessing the condition of equipment, and dealing with wear throughout the system’s lifetime.
Capacity is more than just getting faster work done
The expansion of capacity for Australian manufacturers doesn’t always need to mean purchasing a larger facility or adding more employees to repetitive processes. The more important question to consider is whether the current manufacturing process is able to be improved.
ASA has been working on and integrating automation solutions in Australia since 2002. We also provide support for projects abroad. Its strategy combines analysis of needs and engineering simulation with FANUC integration as well as training and maintenance.
Automation is not just for the sake of automation. An investment-worthy system must provide the manufacturer with measurable results, like better production reliability, higher quality, safer methods as well as reduced waste or a higher capacity.