A company is awarded an enormous contract. The production requirement for each month increases, but the factory does not have enough space or employees who have experience or extra hours during the day. It is possible to add another shift temporarily, but it could create new labor and training, supervision, and quality-control demands.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Situations like this reveal an important purpose of robotic automation. Robotics isn’t only about replacing humans with machines. It could be utilized to change the way manufacturers utilize their current production capacity.
Look at the seconds that disappear between the products
Manufacturing inefficiency isn’t always evident. An operator may spend 15 seconds assembling the component after which 10 seconds are spent applying materials, then a few seconds to move it to the next step. On a single part, the difference is minimal. When repeated thousands of times these seconds can increase production by a significant amount.
It’s the same for waste materials. A small amount of extra coating or dispensing materials over a long production run could result in an enormous expense.
Before deciding on the equipment that they will require, companies looking at robotic automation Australia can benefit by analyzing these small losses. ASA’s analysis of needs is designed to uncover bottlenecks and quality issues, as along with additional constraints and waste during a project.
A Robot Has to Fit the Process Around It
A robot’s selection is only one engineering decision. Guardings, tools, controls sensors, conveyors, and fixtures could also be necessary. Engineers must take into consideration reach and payload when making decisions about how the robot will move about its space and interact with the environment around it.
ASA’s approach to FANUC robot automation is based on concept development and system design as well as CAD Simulation and offline Programming. Digital simulation lets engineers examine configurations and estimate the cycle times before the completed system is operational in the factory of the customer’s. This is particularly helpful when space is constrained or if new robotics are required to integrate into an existing production line.
Painting and Dispensing Show Why the importance of repeatability is evident.
Certain manufacturing processes show the importance of controlled movement. Imagine coating hundreds or thousands of parts. The final result doesn’t come from finishing each part quickly. From the moment of starting production until the final stage, the movement, speed of the machine, the distance and the application have to be controlled.
The ASA specialists are skilled in painting and dispensing across industries including aerospace and automotive. In these industries, industrial robotic automation offers the ability to repeat, programmed, and controlled movements. It also minimizes exposure of employees to potentially hazardous processes.
A better control of materials that are discarded can help improve productivity by cutting down on the amount of waste material consumed.
The installation of the system isn’t enough. You still need people to take care of it.
Automation can’t replace the manufacturing know-how. Automation transforms the skills required to operate and maintain the process.
Employees should be able to recognize abnormal behavior and troubleshoot issues, and carry out the correct maintenance. Production requirements may also change, meaning procedures and programs might require adjustments later on.
ASA offers on-site training in safe operation, programming and troubleshooting as well as mechanical and electrical maintenance. The company offers ongoing maintenance and servicing to ensure that the equipment is in good repair and wear and tear issues are dealt with.
Capacity is greater than working more quickly
In Australia, increasing production capacity doesn’t always mean adding workers to repetitive tasks or buying bigger structures. Sometimes, the best question is whether the existing production process can be engineered differently.
ASA has been working on and the integration of automation solutions since 2002. It has assisted manufacturers in Australia and also projects internationally. Its method combines analysis of needs, engineering, simulations, FANUC robotic integration and training and also servicing.
Automation isn’t the main goal. An investment in a system must provide the manufacturer with measurable results, including greater reliability in production, better quality, more secure procedures, reduced waste or increased capacity.