A company is awarded a significant contract. While the requirements for monthly production have grown, the plant does not have an increase in floor space or experienced employees. Although adding another shift may temporarily aid, it might also create new jobs in the form of supervision, training, or quality-control needs.
This situation reveals a key motive behind robotic automation. Robotics goes beyond replacing people with machines. The right software can change the way that manufacturers use their capacity to produce.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Look at the minutes that vanish between products
Inefficient manufacturing is not always obvious. An operator may spend 15 seconds positioning the component before implementing 10 seconds of substances, and then a few more seconds moving it onto the next stage. In the case of a single piece, the difference in time is not significant. When repeated thousands of times however, these seconds can increase production by a significant amount.
It’s the same with waste material. The addition of a tiny amount of extra coating or dispensing substances in a huge production run can result in a significant expense.
Before making a decision on the equipment they require, companies considering robotic automation Australia can benefit by analyzing the small loss. The needs analysis conducted by ASA is designed to uncover bottlenecks as well waste, quality issues and other limitations to process that can affect the automation project.
Robots should be able to be integrated into the process.
The choice of a robot is only one of the decisions in engineering. The system could also require tooling, guarding devices, controls conveyors, fixtures electrical integration, and communication with existing production equipment. Engineers must take into consideration reach and payload when determining how the robot will move about its work area and interact with everything around it.
ASA provides concept development, system design, CAD simulation, and offline programming as part of its approach to FANUC robotic automation. Digital simulation lets engineers examine configurations, estimate cycle times, and evaluate the system prior to it becoming in operation on the floor of the customer’s. This is especially helpful when there is a shortage of space or when new robotics have to be integrated with the existing lines of production.
Paint and Dispensing Shows Why Replicability is Essential
Certain manufacturing processes highlight the value of controlled movement particularly well. Imagine applying a coating on hundreds of components. The desired result isn’t merely finishing each part quickly. From the start of production to the end, the movement, speed as well as the distance to be applied must be managed.
The ASA specialists are skilled in dispensing and painting across various industries like aerospace and automotive. In these environments industrial robotic automation could provide repeatable programmed movement while reducing exposure of employees to physical demands or potentially dangerous processes.
Better control of materials that are discarded can contribute to productivity improvements by increasing the quantity of materials used.
Even after installation, the system still requires people
Automation is not a complete solution to the need for skilled manufacturing. The knowledge needed to operate, maintain and operate the process shift.
Employees should be aware of how to operate equipment safely identify abnormal behavior, troubleshoot faults, and conduct the necessary maintenance. Processes and programs can be adjusted later if production requirements change.
ASA provides on-site training covering programming, safe operation, troubleshooting, and electrical and mechanical maintenance. Additionally, the company provides maintenance as well as ongoing support to evaluate the condition of equipment and to address problems that arise over the system’s operational time.
Capacity means more than just making work faster
In Australia, expanding production capacity does not necessarily mean adding more employees to repetitive jobs or purchasing larger buildings. Sometimes, the most important thing to consider is whether or not the existing production process can be engineered differently.
ASA has been developing and integrating automation systems in Australia since 2002. We also help with projects in other countries. The approach is a combination of needs analysis as well as engineering simulation. FANUC integration as well as training and maintenance.
Automating for automation’s sake isn’t a goal. A good system will give a manufacturer something measurable in return more dependable production, consistent quality, safer processes, less waste, or more capacity from the factory it already operates.