A manufacturing company gets the contract for a significant amount. Its monthly production needs increase, but the factory isn’t gaining floor space, experienced employees or working hours during the daytime. An increase in production for a short period might be possible, but the addition of a shift could introduce new requirements for labor as well as training, supervision, and quality control.
This kind of situation reveals the purpose behind robotic automation. Robotics does not only mean replacing humans with machines. When used in the right way it can transform the way companies use the capacity they already have.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Look at the time that passes between products
Inefficiency in manufacturing doesn’t have to be noticeable. Imagine that an operator has spent 15 minutes putting a piece of equipment in place and then 10 seconds putting it in material, and several more seconds transferring it to the next process. On one component the difference appears to be insignificant. Repeated thousands of times but those seconds turn into important production times.
It’s the same for the waste materials. A tiny amount of leftover coating or dispensing material multiplied over a large-scale production run could be a substantial expense.
Companies considering robotic automation Australia projects can benefit from examining these small, repeated losses before deciding what equipment they need. The needs analysis conducted by ASA is designed to identify bottlenecks as well the quality of work, waste and other processes that could affect an automation project.
A Robot Must Fit the Process Around It
A robot is one of many engineering decisions. Tools, guardings, controls, sensor, conveyors and fixtures could also be required. Engineers should consider reach and payload when making decisions about how the robot will move through its work area and interact with everything around it.
ASA offers the ability to develop concepts, system design and offline programming as part of its approach to robotic automation. Engineers can look at system configurations and estimate cycles before the finalized system is placed on the factory floor. That becomes particularly useful when space is constrained or new robotics must integrate into an existing production line.
Painting and Dispensing Show Why It’s Important to Repeat
Certain manufacturing processes demonstrate the importance of controlled movements. Imagine covering a variety of components. Not just completing components quickly is the goal. From the time of beginning production to the end moving, speed of the machine, the distance and the application have to be controlled.
ASA has specialists working with paint and dispensing processes across industries including automotive and aerospace. Industrial robotic automation in these industries allows for reproducible movements while limiting exposure of employees to physical demands or procedures that could be hazardous.
A better management of waste materials can also help improve productivity by reducing the amount of unnecessary material consumed.
Even after the installation the system requires users
Automatism isn’t a substitute for manufacturing knowledge. It changes the skills required to run and maintain the manufacturing process.
Employees need to be able spot abnormal behavior and solve problems, as well as perform the appropriate maintenance. Systems and procedures can be changed later in the event that production requirements change.
ASA provides on-site training covering safe operation, programming, troubleshooting, as well as electrical and mechanical maintenance. The company provides ongoing maintenance and servicing to ensure that equipment is in top condition and wear and tear issues are taken care of.
Capacity is more than just working more quickly
A rise in capacity for Australian manufacturers does not necessarily involve buying a bigger facility or adding more labor on repetitive processes. It is sometimes better to inquire if the manufacturing process can be improved.
ASA has been developing and integrating automation systems in Australia since 2002. We also provide support for projects abroad. Its approach connects needs analysis Engineering, simulation, FANUC robot integration, training, and servicing.
Automation is not the aim. A good system will give an industry a tangible return more dependable production, consistent quality, safer procedures, less waste or a larger capacity for the factory that it currently operates.