A manufacturing company gets the contract for a significant amount. While the demands for production have increased, the factory doesn’t suddenly have more floors or more experienced workers. Adding another shift might help temporarily, but it may also introduce new labor, training, supervision, and quality-control demands.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Situations like this reveal an important purpose of robotic automation. Robotics doesn’t just mean replacing a person with an automated machine. A suitable application can alter the way in which manufacturers make use of their production capacity.
Watch the second-to-second time between the products
Inefficient manufacturing isn’t always evident. An operator could spend 15 seconds positioning the component and then 10 seconds putting on materials, and a couple of seconds moving it onto the next stage. 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.
This is also true of wasted material. Multiplying a small amount of extra coating or dispensing materials across a large production run could lead to a significant expense.
Companies that are considering robotic automation Australia projects can benefit from examining these small, repeated losses before deciding on the equipment they will require. The needs analysis conducted by ASA is designed to uncover bottlenecks as well problems with quality, waste and other process constraints which could impact an automation project.
The robot needs to be able to accommodate the processes around it.
A robot is just one of the many engineering choices. The system could also require guarding, tools, controls, sensors, conveyors, fixtures, electrical integration, and communications with existing production equipment. Engineers must consider the reach, payload and how the robot will move and interact in the surrounding.
ASA offers conceptual development, design of systems and offline programming as part of its approach to robotic automation. Digital simulation allows engineers to test configurations and estimate cycles before the system is operational at the factory floor of the customer’s. This is especially useful in situations where space is not available or new robotics must integrate into an existing production line.
The importance of repeatability in painting and dispensing
Some manufacturing processes demonstrate the importance of controlled movement particularly well. Imagine coating hundreds, or thousands of components. The final result doesn’t come from finishing each part quickly. The distance, movement speed, and application need to be monitored from the beginning of the production line until the end.
ASA’s specialists are experienced in painting and dispensing across industries like aerospace and automotive. Industrial robotic automation in these environments will allow for repeatable movement as well as limiting the exposure of workers to physical demanding processes or procedures that could be dangerous.
Controlled better can reduce the unnecessary use of materials, leading to a reduction in waste and productivity improvement.
The installation of the system isn’t enough. You will require people to maintain it.
Automating doesn’t completely eliminate the requirement for manufacturing knowledge. Automation transforms the skills required for maintaining and operating the process.
Employees should be trained to safely use equipment as well as to spot abnormal behavior as well as troubleshoot components that are malfunctioning and take care of any maintenance that is required. Production requirements can alter, which means that the processes and programs could require modifications later.
ASA provides training on site in safe operation, programming, troubleshooting. It also offers mechanical and electrical maintenance. Additionally, the company provides maintenance as well as ongoing support to evaluate equipment condition and address wear and tear over the course of its operating lifespan.
Capacity is more than simply working faster
An increase in capacity for Australian manufacturers doesn’t necessarily require the purchase of a larger building or adding more workers to repeat processes. It’s sometimes more beneficial to inquire if the manufacturing process could be redesigned.
ASA has been designing and integrating automation solutions since 2002. It assists companies in Australia and international projects. Its method of analysis connects needs Engineering, simulation, FANUC robot integration training, servicing, and maintenance.
The objective isn’t automation to achieve its own goals. An investment in a system should offer a manufacturer measurable results, including more reliable production, higher quality, safer processes, reduced waste or increased capacity.
