A company is awarded a significant contract. Even though the production needs for each month have grown, the plant does not have an increase in flooring or experienced workers. Although adding another shift may temporarily aid, it might also bring new labor in the form of supervision, training, or demands for quality-control.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Situations like this reveal an important purpose of robotic automation. Robotics isn’t only about replacing human beings with the aid of a machine. It can be used to modify the methods that manufacturers employ to use their current production capacity.
Watch the second-to-second time between products
Inefficiency in manufacturing doesn’t have to be a major issue. A worker could spend 15 minutes positioning the item after which 10 seconds are spent applying materials, then a few seconds more to move it to the next step. For one part, the difference seems insignificant. When repeated thousands of times these seconds can turn into important production times.
The waste material that is discarded is not different. A tiny amount of leftover coating or dispensing material that is multiplied across a high-volume production run can become a meaningful expense.
Businesses considering robotic automation Australia projects may gain from examining these minor loss events repeatedly before making a decision on the equipment they require. ASA’s needs analysis is intended to identify bottlenecks, issues with quality, waste and other process constraints which could affect the automation project.
A Robot has to fit the Process Around It
A robot’s selection is only one decision in engineering. Controls, guardings and tooling, sensor, conveyors and fixtures could also be needed. Engineers must consider reach, payload and how the robot will be able to move and interact within the surrounding.
ASA’s approach to FANUC robot automation includes conceptual development and design along with CAD Simulation and offline programming. Digital simulation lets engineers examine configurations and estimate the time-to-market before the system is operational on the customer’s factory floor. This is particularly helpful when there are space constraints or when new robotics have to be integrated with existing production lines.
The importance of repeatability in painting and dispensing
Controlled movement is crucial in some manufacturing processes. Imagine applying a coating on hundreds of parts. The final result doesn’t come from complete each component at a rapid pace. The distance, movement, speed, and the application must to remain controlled from the start of the production run to the final.
ASA has specialists who work on paint and dispensing processes across a range of industries including automotive as well as aerospace. In these settings industrial robotic automation could provide repeatable programmed movement as well as limiting exposure for employees to physically demanding and potentially hazardous processes.
An improved control over waste materials can also help improve productivity by cutting down on the amount of waste material used.
Even after the installation the system requires people
Automating doesn’t completely eliminate the need for manufacturing knowledge. The abilities needed to operate, maintain and operate the process shift.
Employees should be able to spot abnormal behavior and solve problems, as well as carry out the correct maintenance. Processes and programs are able to be changed later if production requirements shift.
ASA provides training on site in safe operating, programming, and troubleshooting, in addition to maintenance for electrical and mechanical components. The company offers ongoing maintenance and servicing to ensure that equipment is in good working order and wear and tear problems are dealt with.
Capacity refers to more than Being able to work faster
In Australia, expanding production capacity does not always mean the addition of workers to repetitive tasks or buying larger structures. Sometimes the better question is whether the existing production process can be engineered differently.
ASA has been creating and integrating automation systems since 2002. It has assisted companies in Australia as well as projects across the globe. Its approach combines the analysis of requirements, engineering, simulations, FANUC robotic integration and training as well as servicing.
Automating for automation’s sake isn’t the main goal. Any system that is worth investing in should provide a company with quantifiable results, which include greater reliability in production, better quality, safer processes and reduced waste, or an increase in capacity.