A company is awarded a significant contract. Although the monthly production requirements have increased, the factory isn’t suddenly equipped with more flooring or experienced workers. An increase in production for a short period might be possible, but an additional shift may bring new demands for labor as well as training, supervision, and quality control.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
These kinds of situations reveal the importance of robotic automation. Robotics isn’t only about replacing a person with an automated machine. A good application could change the way that manufacturers use their capacity to produce.
Take a look at the seconds that Change Between Products
Inefficiency in manufacturing doesn’t need to be a major issue. An operator could spend 15 minutes positioning the item and then 10 seconds putting on materials, and a couple of seconds moving it onto the next stage. On one component the difference isn’t that significant. If repeated a thousand times the seconds could result in significant production delays.
It is the same with waste material. The same is true of waste materials.
Before choosing the equipment they need, businesses considering robotic automation Australia could benefit from analyzing the tiny losses. The analysis by ASA’s experts is designed to identify problems with quality and bottlenecks, as along with any other limitations in a project.
Robots must be able to work with the system.
The choice of a robot is just one option in the engineering process. The system will also require tools, guarding control, sensors fixtures, conveyors electrical integration, and communications with the existing production equipment. Engineers need to consider the reach and payload of the robot while making decisions about how the robot is going to move through its workspace and interact with the environment around it.
ASA offers concepts development, design, CAD simulation and offline programming as part of its strategy to FANUC robotic automation. The digital simulation allows engineers to to explore the possibilities of configurations, estimate cycle times and test the system before it is in operation on the floor of the customer’s. It’s particularly useful when there is a limited area or new robotics has to integrate with the production line.
It is crucial to have repeatability in painting and dispensing
Certain manufacturing processes demonstrate the importance of controlling movements. Imagine applying a coating to hundreds of components. It’s not enough just to complete each piece quickly. From the moment of starting production until the final stage all the movements, speed of the machine, the distance and the application have to be managed.
The experts at ASA are proficient in painting and dispensing across industries such as automotive and aerospace. In these environments, industrial robotic automation can provide repeatable programmed movement while also reducing employee exposure to physically demanding or potentially hazardous processes.
A better control of waste material can also increase productivity by increasing the quantity of materials used.
Installation of the system isn’t enough. Still, you need someone to manage it.
Automation doesn’t substitute for manufacturing expertise. It transforms the knowledge needed to manage and maintain the manufacturing process.
Employees must be able to operate equipment in a safe manner identify abnormal behavior, troubleshoot faults, and conduct the necessary maintenance. The needs for production may change over time, which means that the processes and programs need to be adjusted.
ASA provides training on-site for safe operation, programming troubleshooting, as well as mechanical and electrical maintenance. The company offers servicing and support for checking the condition of equipment and taking care to address wear throughout the lifetime of the system.
Capacity is more than working faster
In Australia, expanding production capacity does not always mean adding more employees to repetitive jobs or purchasing larger buildings. Sometimes the better question is whether the current manufacturing process could be designed differently.
ASA has been designing and the integration of automation solutions since 2002. It assists the manufacturing industry in Australia, as well as international projects. Its approach combines analysis of needs, engineering, simulations, FANUC robotic integration and training as well as maintenance.
The goal isn’t to automate just for the sake of automation. A worthwhile system should give manufacturers something tangible in return more dependable production that is consistent in quality, more secure methods, less waste or additional capacity from the factory that it currently operates.
