A large contract is signed by a manufacturer. The production requirement for each month increases however, the plant does not have enough space and employees with experience or additional hours during the day. It is possible to add another shift in the short term, but it could also create new work or training, supervision and quality-control regulations.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Situations like this reveal an important purpose of robotic automation. Robotics doesn’t just replace humans with machines. It is able to modify the methods that manufacturers employ to use their existing production capacity.
Have a look at the time that passes between products
Inefficiency in manufacturing doesn’t have to be noticeable. An operator could spend 15 minutes putting the part in place and then 10 seconds putting on materials, then a few more seconds moving it to the next step. For a single component, it’s a small difference. When repeated thousands of times the seconds could create significant production time.
The same applies to wasted material. The addition of a tiny amount of additional coatings or dispensing material throughout a massive production run can result in a significant expense.
Businesses considering robot automation Australia projects can benefit from examining these small frequent losses prior to deciding what equipment they need. The analysis by ASA’s experts is designed to reveal bottlenecks and quality issues as in addition to additional constraints and waste within a project.
Robots have to be integrated into the process.
Robots are just one of many engineering options. It is possible to add tooling, guarding and controls, sensors conveyors, fixtures, electronic integration, and communications with the existing production equipment. Engineers should consider the reach and payload of the robot while making decisions about how the robot is going to move through its workspace and interact with the environment surrounding it.
ASA provides the ability to develop concepts, system design and offline programming in its approach to robotic automation. Engineers can explore system configurations and estimate cycle times before the finalized system is placed on the factory floor. This is especially helpful when there is a shortage of space or when a new robot needs to be integrated with the existing lines of production.
Painting and Dispensing Show Why It’s Important to Repeat
Controlled movement is essential in some manufacturing processes. Imagine covering hundreds of components. Not just completing components quickly is the ideal outcome. From the time of beginning production until the final stage all the movements, speed, distance and application must be controlled.
ASA has experts working on painting and dispensing solutions across various industries, including automotive and aerospace. In these industries, industrial robotic automation can provide regular, programmatic movements and decreases the risk of exposure for employees to physically challenging or potentially hazardous processes.
The elimination of waste and the increase of productivity can be accomplished through better management.
The System Will Still Need people after the installation.
Automation doesn’t remove the requirement for knowledge in manufacturing. It alters the knowledge required to manage and maintain the process.
Employees need to know how to operate equipment safely identify abnormal behavior, troubleshoot faults, and perform appropriate maintenance. The processes and procedures are able to be changed later if the production needs are changed.
ASA offers on-site training including programming, safety troubleshooting, and mechanical and electric maintenance. Additionally, the company provides maintenance and support on a regular basis to assess equipment condition and address wear over the system’s operating life.
Capacity is more than simply working faster
For Australian manufacturers, increasing capacity doesn’t necessarily mean buying an additional building or adding labor to repetitive processes. It’s sometimes more beneficial to ask if the production process could be redesigned.
ASA has been designing and integration of automation solutions since 2002. It works with the manufacturing industry in Australia and also international projects. Its approach combines analysis of needs with engineering, simulations FANUC robotic integration training, and even servicing.
Automation isn’t the main goal. A worthwhile system should give a manufacturer something measurable in the form of more reliable production, consistent quality, safer processes, less waste, or a larger capacity for the factory that it currently operates.