A company is awarded an enormous contract. Production requirements for the month are increased, but the manufacturing facility hasn’t suddenly gained more floor space, experienced employees or working hours during the day. A second shift may help in the short term, but it could also create new work as well as training, supervision and quality-control demands.
These kinds of situations reveal an important purpose of robotic automation. Robotics doesn’t just mean replacing human workers with machines. It could be utilized to alter the method by which manufacturers use their current production capacity.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Examine the Seconds That Aren’t able to be found between the products
Inefficient manufacturing isn’t always apparent. For instance, suppose an operator is spending 15 minutes putting a piece of equipment in place after which another 10 seconds are spent applying the material, and a few seconds moving it to the next operation. On one piece the difference isn’t that significant. When repeated thousands of times but those seconds turn into important production times.
The same applies to wasted material. This is also true to waste materials.
Companies considering robotic automation Australia projects can benefit from examining these small, repeated losses before deciding what equipment they need. ASA’s needs analysis is designed to find bottlenecks, inefficiencies, quality issues, as well as other limitations to process that can affect an automation project.
A Robot Must Fit the Process Around It
A robot’s selection is only one decision in engineering. It may be necessary to incorporate tooling, security and controls, sensors conveyors, fixtures, electrical integration and communication with the current production equipment. Engineers must consider the reach, payload and how the robot will move and interact with its surroundings.
ASA’s approach to FANUC robot automation is to use concept development, system design as well as CAD Simulation and offline Programming. Engineers can explore system configurations and estimate cycle times before the finished system is installed in the factory floor. This is particularly useful when there is a shortage of space or when a new robot needs to be incorporated into existing production lines.
Dispensing and painting demonstrate why Replicability is Essential
Controlled movement is crucial in some manufacturing processes. Imagine coating hundreds of components. The desired result isn’t merely completing each component quickly. It is important to control the speed, distance and the movement of every component from beginning to final.
ASA is a team of experts working with dispensing applications and paint across various industries, including aeronautics and automotive. In these industries industrial robotic automation could offer repeatable programming while reducing exposure of employees to physical demands or potentially dangerous processes.
Reduced waste and improvement in productivity can be achieved through better control.
Installation of the system isn’t enough. You still need people to manage it.
Automation does not eliminate the need for manufacturing expertise. The skills needed to operate, maintain and operate the process shift.
Employees should be trained to operate equipment with care in order to identify any abnormalities as well as troubleshoot components that are malfunctioning and perform necessary maintenance. Production requirements can change as time passes, which means that the processes and programs require adjusting.
ASA offers training on-site in safe operating, programming, and troubleshooting. It also offers maintenance of electrical and mechanical systems. The company also provides maintenance and support for checking the condition of equipment, and dealing with wear throughout the system’s lifetime.
Capacity is greater than working more quickly
A rise in capacity for Australian manufacturers doesn’t necessarily require the purchase of a larger building or adding more workers on repetitive processes. It’s sometimes more beneficial to inquire about whether the production process can be modified.
ASA has been creating and integrated automation systems since 2002. It has assisted companies in Australia and also projects around the world. The approach combines needs analysis with engineering, simulation, FANUC robot integration training, servicing, and maintenance.
Automation isn’t the main goal. A system worthy of the gold it’s worth ought to offer tangible benefits to an enterprise, including more reliable production, better quality manufacturing processes, and safer ones. It also means less waste.