A manufacturer wins a major contract. The monthly production needs increase but the company isn’t equipped with more space or employees who have experience or extra hours during the daytime. A temporary increase in production might be possible, but adding another shift can introduce new demands for labor training, supervision, and quality control.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Situations like this reveal an important purpose of robotic automation. It’s not just about replacing human beings with machines. It is able to alter the method by which manufacturers use their current production capacity.
Take a look at the time intervals between the products
Inefficient manufacturing may not be apparent. If an operator takes 15 seconds arranging a part after which another 10 seconds are spent applying the material, and a few seconds to transfer it to the next operation. It may appear to be a small difference for a single part. If repeated thousands of times however, these seconds can result in significant production delays.
The waste material that is discarded is not different. The same is true for waste material.
Companies considering robotic automation Australia can benefit from studying these small routine losses before they decide on the best equipment to buy. The analysis provided by ASA is designed to uncover problems with quality and bottlenecks as in addition to additional constraints and waste in a plan.
Robots need to be able integrate into the process.
Making a choice on a robot is only one option in the engineering process. The system will also require tooling, guarding, controls, sensors fixtures, conveyors, electrical integration, as well as communication with the existing production equipment. Engineers must take into consideration the robot’s reach and payload as well as how it interacts with its environment and how it will move.
ASA provides concept development, system design, CAD simulation, and offline programming as an element of its approach to FANUC robotic automation. Engineers are able to explore configurations for the system and estimate cycles before the final system is put in the factory floor. It’s especially useful in situations where there is a restricted space available or when the new robotics needs to integrate with the production line.
Painting and dispensing show why Repeatability Matters
Certain manufacturing processes demonstrate the importance of controlled movements. Imagine coating hundreds or even thousands of components. The desired result isn’t merely complete each component at a rapid pace. The movement, distance, speed, and application need be controlled at the beginning of the production run to the time of its completion.
The experts at ASA are proficient in painting and dispensing across different industries like aerospace and automotive. In these settings, industrial robotic automation can provide the ability to repeat, programmed, and controlled movements. It also decreases the risk of exposure for employees to physically challenging or potentially hazardous processes.
An improved control over waste materials can also contribute to productivity improvements by reducing the amount of unnecessary materials used.
The System Still Needs People Even After Installation
Automation does not completely eliminate the need for expertise in manufacturing. It transforms the knowledge needed to run and maintain the process.
Employees must be able to spot abnormal behavior and solve problems, as well as do the proper maintenance. Production requirements can change as time passes, which means that procedures and protocols will need to be adjusted.
ASA provides training on-site for programming, safe operation, troubleshooting, as well as mechanical and electrical maintenance. The company provides continuous maintenance and services to ensure that the equipment is in good working order and wear and tear issues are addressed.
Capacity is more than just working faster
Increased capacity for Australian manufacturers doesn’t necessarily need to mean purchasing a larger facility or adding more workers to repeat processes. Sometimes, the most important thing to consider is whether the existing manufacturing process could be designed differently.
ASA is designing and integrating automation solutions since 2002. It supports the manufacturing industry in Australia as well as international projects. The approach combines needs analysis with engineering, simulation, FANUC robot integration training, servicing, and maintenance.
Automating just for the sake of it isn’t the objective. An investment-worthy system will provide a manufacturer with tangible outcomes, such as increased reliability of production, improved quality, more secure procedures with less waste, or a greater capacity.