A manufacturer gets an enormous contract. Its monthly production needs are increased, but the manufacturing facility does not suddenly gain floors, employees with experience or hours of work per day. A temporary increase in production is possible, but an additional shift may bring new labor requirements training, supervision, and quality control.
These circumstances reveal an important reason for robotic automation. Robotics isn’t only about replacing a person with the aid of a machine. The right application can transform the way that manufacturers use their capacity to produce.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Examine the Seconds That Aren’t able to be found between the products
Inefficient manufacturing may not be apparent. For instance, suppose an operator is spending 15 seconds arranging a part for 10 seconds, then another 10 seconds applying the material, and a few seconds to transfer it to the next process. It may appear to be a small difference for a single part. If repeated thousands of times, these seconds can turn into significant production time.
Same goes for waste material. A small amount of extra coating or dispensing material multiplied over a large-scale production run 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 provided by ASA is designed to reveal bottlenecks and quality issues as in addition to additional constraints and waste during a project.
The robot needs to be able to accommodate the system around it.
A robot’s selection is only one decision in engineering. Guardings, tools, controls sensors, conveyors, and fixtures are also needed. Engineers should consider the range, payload, and how the robot is going to operate and interact with its surroundings.
ASA offers concepts development, design, CAD simulation and offline programming as an element of its approach to FANUC’s robotic automation. Engineers can look at system configurations and estimate cycles before the finished system is installed on the factory floor. That becomes particularly useful when space is limited or when new robotics need to be integrated into an existing production line.
Painting and Dispensing Show Why Repeatability Matters
Certain manufacturing processes show the importance of controlled movement. Imagine covering a variety of components. It’s not enough to complete each piece in a short time. It’s crucial to regulate the speed, distance, and the movement of every component from the beginning until the at the very end.
ASA has specialists who work on dispensing and paint applications across industries, including automotive and aeronautics. In these areas, industrial robotic automation can provide regular, programmatic movements and decreases the risk of exposure for employees to physically challenging or potentially dangerous processes.
Better control of materials that are discarded can aid in productivity improvement by reducing the amount of unnecessary material used.
The installation of the system isn’t enough. You still need people to maintain it.
Automatism doesn’t replace manufacturing knowledge. It changes the skills required to operate and maintain the process.
Employees must be able to operate equipment safely be aware of abnormal behavior or malfunctions, then troubleshoot the issue and carry out the correct maintenance. Programs and processes are able to be changed later if production requirements shift.
ASA offers training on site covering safety, programming troubleshooting, and mechanical and electrical maintenance. The company provides continuous maintenance and servicing to ensure that equipment is in top order and wear and tear issues are dealt with.
Capacity goes beyond just making work faster
For Australian manufacturers, increasing capacity doesn’t mean purchasing larger buildings or adding more workers to repetitive processes. One of the best questions to ask is whether the present manufacturing process could be improved.
ASA has created and integrated automation systems in Australia since 2002. We also help with projects overseas. Its methodology combines the analysis of requirements and engineering, simulations, FANUC robotic integration and training as well as maintenance.
Automation is not the goal. A system that’s worth its weight in gold should bring tangible benefits to a manufacturer, such as better production reliability, better quality process, more secure processes and less waste.
