A large contract is signed by an industrial manufacturer. Monthly production requirements increase, but the factory hasn’t seen a sudden increase in floor space, experienced employees, or hours in the daytime. Although adding another shift may temporarily boost production, it could also bring new labor in the form of supervision, training, or the need for quality control.
These examples show an important motive for the use of robotic automation. Robotics goes beyond replacing people with machines. When used in the right way it can alter how manufacturers make use of the resources they already have.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Look at the seconds that disappear between products
Inefficiency in manufacturing doesn’t have to be evident. A worker could spend 15 seconds positioning the component after which 10 seconds are spent applying materials, and then a few seconds to move it onto the next stage. In the case of a single piece, the difference is minimal. Repeated thousands of times the seconds are important production times.
Wasted material is no different. A small amount of additional coating or dispensing materials across a large production run can result in a significant expense.
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 pinpoint problems with quality and bottlenecks as also the waste that can be a problem during a project.
Robots have to fit into the process.
Robots are just one of many engineering choices. It could be necessary to install tooling, protection and controls sensors conveyors, fixtures, electronic integration, and communications with the current production equipment. Engineers should consider reach and payload when making decisions about how the robot is going to move through its area of work and interact with the environment around it.
ASA offers concepts development, design, CAD simulation and offline programming as part of its plan to FANUC robotic automation. Digital simulation lets engineers explore configurations and estimate durations of the cycle before the system is operational on the customer’s factory floor. That becomes particularly useful when space is scarce or when new robotics have to integrate with an established production line.
Painting and Dispensing demonstrate why Repetability is Important
Controlled movement is essential for certain manufacturing processes. Imagine applying a coating on hundreds of parts. It’s not enough to finish every component in a short time. The distance, movement, speed, and application have be controlled starting from the beginning of the production line until the point of completion.
ASA is a specialist in painting and dispensing systems across various industries, including automotive and aerospace. In these areas, industrial robotic automation provides regular, programmatic movements and reduces employee exposure to potentially dangerous processes.
The reduction in waste and improvement in productivity can be achieved by better control.
Even after installation the system will still require individuals
Automating doesn’t completely eliminate the need for manufacturing expertise. Automation can alter the capabilities needed to operate and maintain the process.
The employees must know how to operate equipment safely and recognize any abnormalities to identify faults, fix them, and take care of maintenance. Production requirements can also alter, indicating that processes and programs may require modification later.
ASA provides on-site training in safe operation, programming, troubleshooting. It also offers maintenance for electrical and mechanical components. The company provides servicing and support for checking equipment condition, and addressing wear throughout the system’s lifetime.
Capacity is more than the ability to work faster
For Australian producers, expanding capacity doesn’t necessarily mean buying more space or adding workers to repetitive processes. Sometimes, it is better to inquire about whether the production process can be modified.
ASA has been creating and integrating automation solutions since 2002. It has assisted companies in Australia and also projects internationally. Its approach connects needs analysis, engineering, simulation, FANUC robot integration, training, and servicing.
Automation for the sake of automation isn’t the goal. A system that is effective should provide the manufacturer something tangible in return more dependable production and quality, as well as safer methods, less waste or a greater capacity in the factory that it currently operates.