A company is awarded a significant contract. Although the monthly production requirements have increased, the facility does not suddenly have more floor space or experienced employees. An increase in production for a short period may be possible, but adding another shift can bring new requirements for labor as well as training, supervision, and quality control.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
This situation reveals a key purpose for robotic automation. It’s not just about replacing humans with machines. The right software can change how manufacturers use their production capacity.
Have a look at the amount of time that is lost between the products
Inefficiency in manufacturing doesn’t have to be a major issue. A worker could spend 15 seconds assembling the component, then 10 seconds applying materials, and then a few seconds more to move it onto the next stage. The time difference could seem minor for one component. If repeated a thousand times these seconds can increase production by a significant amount.
This is also true of wasted material. The same is true of waste materials.
Companies looking into robotic automation Australia projects can benefit from examining these small regular losses prior to making a decision on the equipment they require. The needs analysis of ASA is designed to identify bottlenecks, quality issues, waste, and other constraints to the process which could affect the automation project.
Robots have to fit into the process.
A robot is just one of the many engineering choices. The system will also require guarding, tooling control, sensors, conveyors, fixtures, electronic integration, and connectivity with existing production equipment. Engineers must consider the reach and payload of the robot while making decisions about how the robot can move around its area of work and interact with everything surrounding it.
The ASA approach to FANUC robot automation encompasses concept development, system design including CAD Simulation, offline programming. Digital simulation lets engineers analyze configurations, estimate cycles times, and evaluate the system before it is operating on the floor of a customer’s premises. This is particularly useful in cases of space limitations or when new robotics have to be integrated into the existing lines of production.
Dispensing and Paint Shows Why Replicability is Critical.
The ability to control movement is particularly important for certain manufacturing processes. Imagine applying a coating to hundreds of parts. Not just completing components quickly is the goal. It is important to control the speed, distance and movement of each part from the beginning to the very end.
ASA has specialists working with painting and dispensing applications across a variety of industries, including 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.
Controlled better can reduce unnecessary material consumption, contributing to lower waste alongside productivity enhancements.
The System Will Still Need People Even After Installation
Automation can’t replace the manufacturing know-how. The abilities needed to manage, maintain, and operate the process shift.
Employees must be instructed to operate equipment with care as well as to spot abnormal behavior as well as troubleshoot components that are malfunctioning and take care of any maintenance that is required. The production needs can change with time, which means that processes and programs will need to be adjusted.
ASA provides on-site training covering safe operation, programming, troubleshooting, as well as electrical and mechanical maintenance. Additionally, the company provides maintenance and ongoing support to check equipment condition and address wear and tear over the course of its operating time.
Capacity is more than working faster
In Australia, increasing capacity for production does not always mean the addition of workers to repetitive tasks or buying larger structures. One of the best questions to ask is whether the present manufacturing process is able to be improved.
ASA has created and integrated automation solutions in Australia since 2002. We also support projects abroad. The company’s strategy combines analysis of needs with engineering, simulation, FANUC robot integration training, servicing, and maintenance.
Automation isn’t the main goal. A system that’s worth its weight in gold must be able to provide tangible benefits for the manufacturer, like better production reliability, better quality process, more secure processes and less waste.