A manufacturer gets the contract for a significant amount. Even though the production needs for each month have increased, the factory doesn’t suddenly have more flooring or experienced workers. An increase in production for a short period is possible, but an additional shift may bring new labor requirements education, supervision, training and quality control.
These scenarios reveal an crucial reason for robot automation. Robotics doesn’t just mean replacing people with an automated machine. It can be used to change the way manufacturers utilize their existing production capacity.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Take a look at the time intervals between the products
Inefficient manufacturing is not always evident. Imagine an operator spending 15 seconds searching for a piece of equipment and then 10 seconds putting it into the material and then moving it. With a single component the difference is minimal. When repeated thousands of times these seconds can turn into substantial production time.
Wasted material is no different. Same goes of waste materials.
Companies considering robot automation Australia projects may gain from examining these minor loss events repeatedly before deciding on the equipment they will require. ASA’s needs analysis aims to find bottlenecks and the quality of work, waste and other process limitations that can affect the automation project.
A Robot Must Fit the Process Itself
Robots are just one of many engineering decisions. The system will also require tooling, guarding control, sensors fixtures, conveyors electrical integration, and communications with existing production equipment. Engineers should consider reach and payload when determining how the robot will move through its work area and interact with the environment around it.
ASA provides concept development, system design, CAD simulation, and offline programming as part of its approach to FANUC robotic automation. Digital simulation allows engineers to examine configurations and estimate the cycle times before the completed system is operational at the factory floor of the customer’s. This is particularly beneficial when space is constrained or if new robotics are required to integrate with an established production line.
Painting and Dispensing Show Why the importance of repeatability is evident.
Controlled movement is especially important for certain manufacturing processes. Imagine applying a coating on hundreds of parts. The goal isn’t just finishing each part quickly. From the start of production all the way to the finish all the movements, speed of the machine, the distance and the application have to be managed.
ASA is a specialist in painting and dispensing systems across a variety of industries, including automotive and aerospace. In these environments, industrial robotic automation can offer repeatable programming while reducing exposure of employees to physically demanding or potentially dangerous processes.
Improved control can also cut down on the unnecessary use of materials, leading to a reduction in waste and productivity enhancements.
The installation of the system isn’t enough. It is still necessary to have people to take care of it.
Automatism isn’t a substitute for manufacturing knowledge. It transforms the knowledge needed to run and maintain the process.
Employees should be able to recognize abnormal behavior and troubleshoot problems, as well as take the necessary maintenance. The demands for production can shift as time passes, which means that procedures and protocols will need to be adapted.
ASA offers training on site that covers programming, safety, troubleshooting and electrical and mechanical maintenance. The company offers ongoing maintenance and repairs to ensure that equipment is in top condition and wear and tear issues are dealt with.
Capacity is about more than just working faster
For Australian producers, expanding capacity doesn’t always mean purchasing larger buildings or adding labor to repetitive processes. Sometimes the better question is whether the existing production process can be engineered differently.
ASA has been developing and integrated automation solutions since 2002. It provides support to companies in Australia, as well as international projects. Its approach connects needs analysis with engineering, simulation, FANUC robot integration Training, and servicing.
It’s not about automation just for the sake of automation. A system worthy of its weight in gold will be able to provide tangible benefits for the manufacturer, like more reliable production, better quality process, more secure processes and less waste.