A manufacturer gets an important contract. Although the monthly production requirements have grown, the plant isn’t suddenly equipped with more floor space or experienced employees. Adding another shift might help in the short term, but it could also create new work or training, supervision and quality-control regulations.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
This scenario reveals the primary purpose for robotic automation. Robotics is not just replacing humans with machines. It could be utilized to modify the methods that manufacturers employ to use their existing production capacity.
Have a look at the minutes that vanish between the products
Inefficient manufacturing may not be evident. Imagine a worker taking 15 seconds locating a component after which they spend 10 seconds putting the material and then transferring it. On one aspect, the difference seems insignificant. When repeated thousands of times these seconds can turn into important production times.
Same goes for waste material. A small amount of additional coating or dispensing materials throughout a massive production line can lead to a significant expense.
Before selecting the equipment they need, businesses considering robotic automation Australia can gain from analysing these small losses. The analysis of needs by ASA aims to find bottlenecks and problems with quality, waste and other processes that could impact an automation project.
A Robot Must Fit the Process Around It
Making a choice on a robot is only one engineering decision. It could be necessary to include tooling, guarding and controls sensors and conveyers, fixtures, electrical integration and communication with the existing production equipment. Engineers need to consider reach and payload while also determining how the robot is going to move through its area of work and interact with the environment around it.
ASA provides conceptual development, system design, CAD simulation and offline programming as an element of its approach to FANUC robotic automation. Digital simulation lets engineers test configurations and estimate durations of the cycle before the system is operational at the factory floor of the customer’s. This is especially helpful when there are space constraints or if new robotics need to be integrated into existing production lines.
Paint and Dispensing demonstrates why Replicability is Critical.
Certain manufacturing processes show the importance of controlled movement particularly well. Imagine applying a coating to hundreds of parts. The desired result isn’t merely complete each component at a rapid pace. From the time of beginning production through the conclusion moving, speed of the machine, the distance and the application have to be controlled.
The ASA specialists are skilled in painting and dispensing across different industries including aerospace and automotive. In these environments, industrial robotic automation can provide repeatable programmed movement while also reducing employee exposure to physically demanding or potentially hazardous processes.
The reduction in waste and the improvement in productivity can be achieved by better control.
Even after installation the system will still require individuals
Automation doesn’t substitute for manufacturing expertise. The capabilities required to manage, maintain and control the process evolve.
Employees must be able to operate equipment safely be aware of abnormal behavior, troubleshoot faults, and carry out the correct maintenance. Production requirements can also change, meaning procedures and programs might require modifications later.
ASA offers training on site that covers safe operation, programming, troubleshooting, and mechanical and electrical maintenance. The company offers servicing and support to check the condition of equipment and taking care to address wear and tear throughout the life of the system.
Capacity is more than just working faster
The expansion of capacity for Australian manufacturers doesn’t always require the purchase of a larger building or adding more employees to repeat processes. Sometimes, it is better to inquire if the manufacturing process could be redesigned.
ASA has been developing and integration of automation solutions since 2002. It has assisted companies in Australia as well as projects across the globe. The approach is a combination of needs analysis as well as engineering simulation. FANUC integration as well as training and maintenance.
Automation isn’t the objective. A system that is worthy of the gold it’s worth will bring tangible benefits to manufacturers, for example better production reliability, better quality methods, less risky processes, and less waste.