A significant contract is won by a manufacturer. While the requirements for monthly production have risen, the manufacturing facility doesn’t suddenly have more flooring or experienced workers. An increase in production for a short period might be possible, but the addition of a shift could introduce new requirements for labor, training, supervision and quality control.
These circumstances reveal an important motive for the use of robotic automation. Robotics doesn’t just mean replacing human beings with machines. A good application could change the way in which manufacturers make use of their capacity to produce.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Take a look at the time intervals between products
Inefficiency in manufacturing isn’t always so evident. Imagine a worker spending 15 seconds searching for a piece of equipment for 10 seconds, then applying the material, and then a few seconds moving it. On one component the difference isn’t that significant. If repeated thousands of times, however, those seconds become important production times.
The same applies to wasted material. A tiny amount of leftover coating or dispensing material multiplied in a production run with a high volume can result in an expense that is significant.
Companies considering robotic automation Australia projects can benefit from examining these small, repeated losses before deciding what equipment they need. The analysis by ASA’s experts is designed to reveal bottlenecks and quality issues, as well as any other limitations within a project.
The robot has to fit the procedure around it.
Selecting a robot is only one engineering decision. It may be necessary to incorporate tooling, security and controls sensors, conveyers, fixtures, electrical integration, and communication to the production equipment already in place. Engineers should consider reach and payload when making decisions about how the robot will move through its workspace and interact with everything around it.
ASA offers concept development, system design and offline programming as part of its approach to robotic automation. The digital simulation lets engineers analyze configurations, estimate cycles time and allow them to test the system before it becomes operating on the floor of a customer’s premises. This is especially helpful when there is a shortage of space or if new robotics need to be integrated with existing production lines.
Dispensing and Paint Shows Why Replicability is Important
Certain manufacturing processes highlight the value of controlled movement particularly well. Imagine coating hundreds of parts. The final result doesn’t come from the process of completing every component in a short time. It’s crucial to regulate the speed, distance and movement of each piece from the beginning until the final.
Our specialists have experience dispensing and painting across various industries including aerospace and automotive. In these settings, industrial robotic automation can provide regular, programmatic movements and reduces employee exposure to potentially dangerous processes.
Better control may also reduce excessive material consumption, thereby contributing to a reduction in waste and productivity gains.
Even after installation it still needs individuals
Automation doesn’t remove the need for manufacturing knowledge. The capabilities required to operate, maintain and control the process evolve.
Employees should be able to detect abnormal behavior and identify issues, and perform the appropriate maintenance. The demands for production can shift over time, which means that programs and processes will need to be adapted.
ASA offers on-site training in programming, safe operation, troubleshooting, as well as mechanical and electrical maintenance. It also offers servicing as well as ongoing support to evaluate the condition of equipment and address issues that may arise during the equipment’s operational life.
Capacity is about more than Working Faster
An increase in capacity for Australian manufacturing companies doesn’t require the purchase of a larger building or adding more labor on repetitive processes. The better question to ask is whether your current manufacturing process is able to be improved.
ASA has been developing and integrated automation solutions since 2002, and has been supporting manufacturers in Australia and also projects in other countries. Its method combines the analysis of requirements, engineering, simulations, FANUC robotic integration, training, and also servicing.
Automation is not just for the sake of automation. An investment in a system must provide the manufacturer with measurable results, like better production reliability, higher quality, safer processes and reduced waste, or an increase in capacity.