A company is awarded a large contract. While the requirements for monthly production have increased, the facility isn’t suddenly equipped with more area for floor or skilled workers. A second shift may help in the short term, but it could create new labor as well as training, supervision and quality-control demands.
This kind of situation reveals the importance of robotic automation. Robotics doesn’t just mean replacing humans with machines. It could be utilized to alter the method by which manufacturers use their existing capacity for production.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Look at the Seconds That disappear between products
Inefficiency in manufacturing isn’t always so noticeable. Suppose an operator spends 15 seconds arranging the component and then 10 seconds putting it in material, and several more seconds moving it to the next process. On one piece the difference isn’t that significant. If repeated thousands of times, the seconds are an enormous amount of production time.
It’s the same with the waste materials. A small amount of excess coating or dispensing material that is multiplied throughout a production run that is high-volume could result in a significant expense.
Companies that are considering robot automation Australia projects will benefit from studying these tiny regular losses prior to deciding what equipment they need. The analysis of needs by ASA aims to identify bottlenecks as well quality issues, waste and other limitations to process that might affect an automation plan.
The robot has to fit the system around it.
The selection of a robot is only one of the decisions in engineering. The system could also require tooling, guarding control, sensors conveyors, fixtures electrical integration, as well as communication with the existing production equipment. Engineers should consider the reach and payload of the robot while determining how the robot is going to move through its area of work and interact with everything around it.
ASA provides concept development, system design, CAD simulation, and offline programming as part of its approach to FANUC robotic automation. Digital simulation lets engineers analyze configurations, estimate cycles times and test the system before it is functional on the floor of the customer’s facility. This is particularly beneficial when space is scarce or if new robotics are required to integrate with a production line that is already in place.
The importance of consistency in painting and dispensing
Certain manufacturing processes show the value of controlled movement especially well. Imagine coating hundreds of parts. It’s not enough to finish every component in a short time. It is important to control the speed, distance, and movement of each component from the beginning until the at the very end.
ASA is a team of experts working with paint and dispensing application across various industries, such as aeronautics and automobile. Industrial robotic automation in these industries allows for repeatable motions while limiting exposure of workers to physical demanding processes or procedures that could cause harm.
Better control may also reduce unnecessary material consumption, contributing to a reduction in waste and productivity improvement.
Even after the installation, the system still requires people
Automation doesn’t eliminate the need for manufacturing expertise. The abilities required to operate, maintain and run the process change.
Employees should be aware of how to operate equipment safely, recognize abnormal behavior as well as troubleshoot issues and perform appropriate maintenance. Production requirements can alter, indicating that the processes and programs could require adjustments later on.
ASA provides on-site training in safe operation, programming, troubleshooting, as well as maintenance of electrical and mechanical systems. They also provide servicing and ongoing support to check equipment condition and address wear over the system’s operating time.
Capacity Is About More Than Being able to work faster
A rise in capacity for Australian manufacturers doesn’t necessarily need to mean purchasing a larger facility or adding additional labor on repetitive processes. The more important question to consider is whether the current manufacturing process is able to be improved.
ASA has been creating and integration of automation solutions since 2002. It provides support to the manufacturing industry in Australia as well as international projects. Its methodology combines analysis of needs as well as engineering, simulations FANUC robotic integration training, and even servicing.
The goal isn’t to automate for the sake of it. An investment-worthy system will provide a manufacturer with tangible results, like increased reliability of production, improved quality, safer processes and reduced waste, or an increase in capacity.