A large contract is signed by the manufacturer. The monthly production needs increase however, the plant has no room and has employees with previous experience or more hours to work during the daytime. A second shift may help in the short term, but it could create new labor, training, supervision, and quality-control regulations.
This is a crucial reason for robots. Robotics goes beyond replacing people with machines. A suitable application can alter how manufacturers use their capacity to produce.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Look at the Seconds That disappear between products
Inefficient manufacturing may not be apparent. A worker could spend 15 seconds assembling the component and then 10 seconds putting on materials, then a few more seconds moving it to the next step. On one aspect the difference appears to be insignificant. When repeated a thousand times the seconds could add significant production time.
Same goes for waste material. This is also true for waste material.
Companies considering robotic automation Australia projects may benefit from examining these small loss events repeatedly before choosing the right equipment. AAS’s Needs Analysis aims to uncover bottlenecks as well problems with quality, waste and other process constraints which can affect the automation project.
A Robot has to fit the Process Around It
Making a choice on a robot is only one engineering decision. Tooling, guardings, controls sensors, conveyors, and fixtures may also be required. Engineers need to consider the reach and payload of the robot while determining how the robot will move about its space and interact with the environment surrounding it.
ASA provides concept development, system design, CAD simulation, and offline programming as part of its approach to FANUC robotic automation. Digital simulation lets engineers explore configurations and estimate cycle times before the completed system can be put in operation at the factory floor of the customer’s. It’s particularly useful when there is a small space available or when the new robotics has to integrate with a production line.
Dispensing and Paint Shows Why Replicability is Important
Certain manufacturing processes demonstrate the importance of controlling movements. Imagine applying a coating on hundreds of parts. The desired result isn’t merely the process of completing every component in a short time. It’s important to control the speed, distance and movement of each component from the beginning to the at the very end.
ASA has specialists who work on dispensing and paint applications across industries, including aeronautics and automotive. Industrial robotic automation in these industries can allow for repeatable movements while limiting exposure of workers to physical demands or those that could cause harm.
The reduction in waste and improvement in productivity could be achieved by better control.
The System Will Still Need people after the installation.
Automation does not completely eliminate the requirement for expert manufacturing. It requires new skills for operating and maintaining the manufacturing process.
Employees should be aware of how to operate equipment safely identify abnormal behavior, troubleshoot faults, and perform appropriate maintenance. The demands for production can shift in time, meaning that procedures and protocols will have to be modified.
ASA offers on-site training in safe operation, programming and troubleshooting, in addition to electrical and mechanical maintenance. It also offers servicing and ongoing support to check the condition of equipment and to address wear and tear over the course of its operating duration.
Capacity means more than just making work faster
A rise in capacity for Australian manufacturers does not necessarily mean buying a bigger building or adding more labor to repeat processes. It’s often better to inquire about whether the production procedure could be altered.
ASA has been developing and integrating automation systems in Australia since 2002. We also help with projects in other countries. Its method of analysis connects needs Engineering, simulation, FANUC robot integration training, as well as servicing.
Automation is not for its own sake. A system that is worthy of its weight in gold should bring tangible benefits to manufacturers, for example more reliable production, better quality manufacturing processes, and safer ones. It also means less waste.
