A manufacturing company gets an enormous contract. The monthly production needs increase but the company doesn’t have more space, employees with experience, or extra hours during the daytime. Although adding another shift may temporarily help, it could also create new jobs as well as training, supervision, and the need for quality control.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Situations like this reveal an important purpose of robotic automation. Robotics isn’t only about replacing human workers with machines. In the right application it could alter the way producers use the capacity they have.
Have a look at the minutes that vanish between the products
Manufacturing inefficiency doesn’t have to be significant. Imagine an operator spending 15 seconds looking for a particular component, 10 seconds applying the material and then moving it. With a single component the difference in time is not significant. Those seconds add up when multiplied by thousands.
It’s the same for waste material. Similar is the case of waste materials.
Companies considering robot automation Australia projects will gain from examining these minor regular losses prior to choosing the right equipment. The analysis provided by ASA is designed to identify problems with quality and bottlenecks as also any other limitations during a project.
The robot should fit the processes around it.
The choice of a robot is just one decision in engineering. The system may also need guarding, tooling devices, controls fixtures, conveyors, electrical integration, and communication with existing production equipment. Engineers need to consider the robot’s reach and payload, and how it interacts with its environment and move about.
ASA’s approach for FANUC robot automation encompasses the development of concepts and systems along with CAD Simulation and offline programming. Digital simulation allows engineers to test configurations and estimate durations of the cycle before the system is put into operation at the customer’s factory floor. It is particularly helpful when there is a limited space available or when the new robotics needs to integrate with the production line.
Painting and Dispensing demonstrate why the importance of repeatability is evident.
Certain manufacturing processes show the importance of controlled motion particularly well. Imagine coating hundreds of components. Making components faster is the ideal outcome. It is important to control the speed, distance, and movement of each piece from beginning to final.
ASA has specialists who work on painting and dispensing systems across industries including automotive and aerospace. In these industries, industrial robotic automation allows for regular, programmatic movements and reduces employee exposure to potentially hazardous processes.
Better control of materials that are discarded can help improve productivity by increasing the quantity of material that is consumed.
The installation of the system isn’t enough. Still, you need someone to manage it.
Automation is not a complete solution to the need for skilled manufacturing. It alters the knowledge required for operating and maintaining the process.
Employees must be able to detect abnormal behavior and identify problems, as well as carry out the correct maintenance. Production requirements can change over time, which means that procedures and protocols will need to be adjusted.
ASA offers training on site that covers safe operation, programming troubleshooting, and electrical and mechanical maintenance. The company provides ongoing maintenance and service to ensure that the equipment is in good condition and wear and tear issues are taken care of.
Capacity is more than just getting faster work done
An increase in capacity for Australian manufacturing companies doesn’t need to mean purchasing a larger facility or adding more labor to repeat processes. Sometimes, the most important thing to consider is whether or not the existing manufacturing process can be designed differently.
ASA has created and integrated automation systems in Australia since 2002. We also provide support for projects overseas. Its strategy combines analysis of needs, engineering simulation, FANUC integration along with training and servicing.
Automation isn’t the main goal. A worthwhile system should give the manufacturer something tangible in the form of more reliable production, consistent quality, safer processes, lower waste or a larger capacity for the factory that it currently operates.