A manufacturer wins a major contract. The production requirement for each month increases however the facility isn’t equipped with more space and employees with experience or extra hours during the daytime. Although adding another shift may temporarily help, it could also create new jobs as well as training, supervision, and requirements for quality control.
These examples show an significant reason to use robotics automation. Robotics does not only replace people with machines. The right software can change the way that manufacturers use their capacity to produce.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Look at the time that passes between products
Inefficiency in manufacturing isn’t always so evident. Imagine a worker spending 15 seconds looking for a particular component, 10 seconds applying the material and then transfer it. On one piece it’s not much of a difference. If repeated thousands of times, the seconds are substantial production time.
Wasted material is no different. Similar is the case to waste materials.
Before making a decision on the equipment they will require, companies looking at robotic automation Australia could benefit from analyzing these small losses. The needs analysis of ASA is designed to uncover bottlenecks and problems with quality, waste and other processes that could influence an automation project.
A Robot Must Fit the Process Itself
Selecting a robot is only one option in the engineering process. It might be necessary to incorporate tooling, security and controls, sensors as well as conveyers, fixtures electrical integration, and communication with the existing production equipment. Engineers must consider reach and payload when determining how the robot can move around its area of work and interact with everything around it.
ASA provides concept development, system design, CAD simulation, and offline programming as part of its approach to FANUC robotic automation. The digital simulation allows engineers examine configurations, estimate cycle times, and evaluate the system prior to making it operating on the floor of a customer’s premises. It’s especially useful in situations where there is a restricted amount of space, or when the new robotics is required to be integrated with the production line.
Dispensing and painting demonstrate why Replicability is Essential
The ability to control movement is particularly important in some manufacturing processes. Imagine applying a coating to hundreds of components. Not just completing components quickly is the goal. It is crucial to manage the speed, distance and movement of each piece from the beginning until the very end.
ASA has specialists who work on dispensing and paint applications across industries, including aeronautics and automotive. Industrial robotics automation in these areas allows for reproducible movements while limiting exposure of workers to physically demanding processes or procedures that could be dangerous.
Better control may also reduce the amount of material used, which can lead to a decrease in waste as well as productivity improvement.
Installing the system is not enough. It is still necessary to have people to maintain it.
Automation doesn’t eliminate the need for skilled manufacturing. It changes the skills required to run and maintain the process.
Employees must be able to spot abnormal behavior and solve issues, and do the proper maintenance. Production requirements may also alter, which means that processes and programs may require adjustment later.
ASA offers training on-site in programming, safety troubleshooting, and electrical and mechanical maintenance. The company also provides regular maintenance and repairs to ensure that the equipment is in good condition and wear and tear issues are dealt with.
Capacity goes beyond just getting faster work done
A rise in capacity for Australian manufacturers does not necessarily require the purchase of a larger building or adding more labor to routine processes. Sometimes, it is better to inquire about whether the production process can be improved.
ASA has been working on and integrating automation systems in Australia since 2002. We also provide support for projects overseas. The approach is a combination of needs analysis along with engineering simulation FANUC integration along with training and servicing.
Automation is not the aim. Any system that is worth investing in must provide the manufacturer with measurable results, like greater reliability in production, better quality, safer methods as well as reduced waste or a higher capacity.
