A significant contract is won by an industrial manufacturer. The production requirements for the month increase however, the plant has no room or employees who have experience or more hours to work during the daytime. A temporary increase in production might be possible, but the addition of a shift could introduce new demands for labor as well as training, supervision, and quality control.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
This scenario reveals the primary need for robotic automation. Robotics isn’t only about replacing humans with machines. In the right application it could alter the way manufacturers make use of the resources they have.
Examine the Seconds That Disappear Between Products
Inefficiency in manufacturing doesn’t have to be a major issue. For instance, suppose an operator is spending 15 minutes putting a piece of equipment in place after which another 10 seconds are spent applying material, and then a few seconds transferring it to the next step. The difference might seem small even for a single piece of equipment. The seconds add up when multiplied by thousands.
It’s the same for the waste materials. A tiny amount of surplus coating or dispensing material that is multiplied across a high-volume production run can become a meaningful expense.
Before choosing the equipment they need, businesses considering robotic automation Australia can benefit by analyzing these tiny losses. The analysis provided by ASA is designed to pinpoint bottlenecks and quality issues as in addition to waste and other constraints within a project.
A Robot Has to Fit the Process Around It
Selecting a robot is only one option in the engineering process. Tools, guardings, controls sensors, conveyors and fixtures might also be needed. Engineers must consider the robot’s reach and payload as well as how it interact with its surroundings and move about.
ASA provides concepts development, design, CAD simulation, and offline programming as part of its plan to FANUC robotic automation. The digital simulation allows engineers to analyze configurations, estimate cycles times, and to test the system prior to it becoming functional on the floor of the customer’s facility. It’s especially useful when there is a small area or new robotics is required to be integrated with a production line.
Painting and Dispensing Show Why Repetability is Important
Certain manufacturing processes highlight the importance of controlled movement especially well. Imagine coating hundreds of components. It’s not enough just to finish each component quickly. It is crucial to manage the speed, distance, and movement of each component from the beginning to the final.
The ASA specialists are skilled in painting and dispensing across different industries such as 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.
A better control of waste materials can also aid in productivity improvement by cutting down on the amount of waste materials used.
Even after installation, the system still requires users
Automation can’t replace the manufacturing know-how. The capabilities required to manage, maintain and control the process evolve.
Employees should be trained to safely use equipment as well as to spot abnormal behavior, troubleshoot faulty components, and carry out necessary maintenance. The production needs can change with time, which means that the processes and programs need to be adapted.
ASA provides training on site that covers programming, safety troubleshooting, and mechanical and electric maintenance. The company also provides maintenance and support for checking equipment condition, and addressing wear and tear throughout the life of the system.
Capacity is more than Being able to work faster
In Australia, increasing capacity for production is not always about hiring more workers for repetitive tasks or buying bigger structures. It’s often better to inquire about whether the production process could be redesigned.
ASA has been developing and integrating automation systems in Australia since 2002. We also support projects across the world. Its method combines the analysis of requirements with engineering, simulations FANUC robotic integration training, as well as maintenance.
Automation isn’t a goal. A system that’s worth the gold it’s worth must be able to provide tangible benefits for an enterprise, including greater reliability, higher quality methods, less risky processes, and less waste.