A major contract is won by the manufacturer. The monthly production needs increase but the company isn’t equipped with more space and has employees with previous experience or more hours to work during the day. Although adding another shift may temporarily aid, it might also bring new labor as well as training, supervision, and requirements for quality control.
Situations like this reveal the importance of robotic automation. Robotics does not only replace people with machines. It can be used to change the way manufacturers utilize their existing capacity for production.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Take a look at the seconds that Disappear Between Products
Inefficient manufacturing is not always obvious. If an operator takes 15 seconds arranging the component for 10 seconds, then another 10 seconds applying materials, and then several minutes transferring it onto the next task. It may appear to be a small difference for one component. When repeated thousands of times, these seconds can add significant production time.
The waste material that is discarded is not different. The addition of a tiny amount of extra coating or dispensing substances over a long production run can result in substantial costs.
Companies considering robotic automation Australia projects can benefit from examining these small, repeated losses before deciding what equipment they need. AAS’s Needs Analysis aims to find bottlenecks and the quality of work, waste and other limitations to process that could impact an automation project.
The robot must fit the processes around it.
A robot is only one of the many engineering choices. Tooling, guardings, controls sensors, conveyors and fixtures may also be necessary. Engineers need to consider the robot’s reach and payload, and how it will interact with its surroundings and move around.
ASA offers the ability to develop concepts, system design and offline programming in its method of robotic automation. The digital simulation lets engineers analyze configurations, estimate cycles time and allow them to test the system before it becomes functional on the floor of the customer’s facility. It is particularly helpful when there is a limited space available or when the new robotics is required to be integrated with a production line.
Painting and Dispensing demonstrates why Repetability is Important
Controlled movement is especially important in some manufacturing processes. Imagine covering a variety of components. Making components faster is the desired outcome. From the start of production until the final stage all the movements, speed as well as the distance to be applied must be controlled.
ASA has experts who deal with dispensing applications and paint across industries, including automotive and aeronautics. Industrial robotic automation in these industries will allow for repeatable movement while limiting exposure of workers to physical demands or processes that could be hazardous.
The elimination of waste and the increase in productivity can be achieved by better control.
Even after installation the system requires people
Automation does not eliminate the need for manufacturing expertise. Automation alters the knowledge required to operate and maintain the process.
Employees need to be able recognize abnormal behavior and troubleshoot problems, as well as do the proper maintenance. Programs and processes can be adjusted later if the production needs change.
ASA offers training on-site in safe operating, programming, and troubleshooting, as well as maintenance of electrical and mechanical systems. The company provides servicing as well as support for evaluating the condition of equipment and taking care to address wear throughout the lifetime of the system.
Capacity is greater than working faster
In Australia, increasing capacity for production doesn’t always mean adding more employees to repetitive jobs or purchasing bigger buildings. Sometimes, the most important thing to consider is whether the present manufacturing process can be designed differently.
ASA has been developing and integrating automation systems in Australia since 2002. We also provide support for projects in other countries. Its method of analysis combines needs and engineering simulation with FANUC integration, training and servicing.
Automating just for the sake of it isn’t the goal. An investment in a system should offer a manufacturer measurable results, including more reliable production, higher quality, safer methods with less waste, or a greater capacity.