A significant contract is won by the manufacturer. Production requirements for the month increase, yet the factory does not suddenly gain floors, employees with experience or hours of work per daytime. While adding another shift might temporarily help, it could be a source of new work, supervision, training and quality-control needs.
Such situations highlight an important function of robotic automation. Robotics isn’t simply about replacing a person with an automated machine. It is able to modify the methods that manufacturers employ to 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. Imagine a worker taking 15 seconds locating a component for 10 seconds, then applying the material, and then a few seconds transferring it. In the case of a single piece, the difference in time is not significant. If repeated thousands of times however the seconds could increase production by a significant amount.
The same is true for waste material. A tiny amount of leftover coating or dispensing material multiplied over a large-scale production run could 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 of needs by ASA aims to uncover bottlenecks as well quality issues, waste and other process constraints which might affect an automation plan.
A Robot Must Fit the Process Around It
A robot is one of many engineering choices. The system may also need guarding, tools and controls, sensors fixtures, conveyors electrical integration, and communications with the existing production equipment. Engineers must consider the range, payload, and how the robot is going to be able to move and interact within its surroundings.
ASA offers the ability to develop concepts, system design and offline programming as part of its method of robotic automation. Digital simulation lets engineers explore configurations and estimate cycles before the system is operating at the factory floor of the customer’s. This is especially useful when there are space constraints or when new robotics have to be incorporated into existing production lines.
Dispensing and painting demonstrate why Replicability is Critical.
Certain manufacturing processes demonstrate the importance of controlling movements. Imagine covering hundreds of components. It’s not enough to complete each piece quickly. The movement, distance, speed, and the application must to be monitored from the beginning of the production process to the time of its completion.
ASA has specialists working with painting and dispensing systems across various industries, including automotive and aerospace. In these areas, industrial robotic automation provides predictable, controlled movements. It also reduces employee exposure to potentially dangerous processes.
Improved control can also cut down on unnecessary material consumption, contributing to a decrease in waste as well as productivity improvement.
The installation of the system isn’t enough. It is still necessary to have people to maintain it.
Automation does not eliminate the need for manufacturing knowledge. Automation transforms the skills required to maintain and operate the process.
Employees should be trained to safely use equipment in order to identify any abnormalities as well as troubleshoot components that are malfunctioning and carry out necessary maintenance. The production needs can change over time, which means that processes and programs will need to be adjusted.
ASA provides on-site training in safe operation, programming, troubleshooting as well as mechanical and electrical maintenance. The company provides servicing as well as support for evaluating the condition of equipment and taking care to address wear throughout the lifetime of the system.
Capacity is about more than simply working faster
In Australia, boosting production capacity does not necessarily mean the addition of workers to repetitive tasks or purchasing larger buildings. It is sometimes better to ask if the production process can be modified.
ASA has been creating and the integration of automation solutions since 2002. It assists companies in Australia and also international projects. Its method of analysis connects needs, engineering, simulation, FANUC robot integration, training, and servicing.
Automation is not the only goal. A system that is worth the gold it’s worth will provide measurable benefits to the manufacturer, like greater reliability, higher quality, safer processes and less waste.