A large contract is signed by an industrial manufacturer. Even though the production needs for each month have increased, the factory does not suddenly have more floor space or experienced employees. A temporary increase in production could be possible, however adding another shift can bring new requirements for labor, training, supervision and quality control.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Situations like this reveal an important purpose of robotic automation. Robotics doesn’t just replace humans with machines. The right application can transform the way manufacturers utilize their production capacity.
Take a look at the seconds that Disappear Between Products
Inefficient manufacturing isn’t always apparent. Imagine a worker taking 15 minutes searching for a part and then 10 seconds putting it into the material and then transferring it. The time difference could seem minor for a single component. When repeated thousands of times these seconds can turn into substantial production time.
Material that has been wasted isn’t different. Multiplying a small amount of additional coatings or dispensing material across a large production run could lead to a significant expense.
The businesses that are looking into robotic automation Australia will benefit by analyzing these tiny repeated losses prior to decide which equipment to buy. ASA’s analysis of needs is designed to identify problems with quality and bottlenecks, as also the waste that can be a problem in a project.
A Robot has to fit the Process Around It
The choice of a robot is just one option in the engineering process. The system will also require guarding, tooling, controls, sensors fixtures, conveyors, electrical integration, and communications with existing production equipment. Engineers must consider the reach and payload of the robot while determining how the robot is going to move through its work area and interact with the environment surrounding it.
ASA offers the ability to develop concepts, system design and offline programming in its method of robotic automation. Digital simulation allows engineers to explore configurations and estimate cycles before the system is operating at the customer’s factory floor. 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
Certain manufacturing processes show the importance of controlled movement. Imagine coating hundreds, or thousands of parts. The goal isn’t just complete each component at a rapid pace. The motion, distance, speed, and the application must be controlled at the beginning of the production process until the end.
The ASA specialists are skilled in dispensing and painting across various industries like aerospace and automotive. In these areas industrial robotic automation could allow for repeatable, programmed movements and reduce exposure of employees to physical demands or potentially dangerous processes.
The elimination of waste and the improvement in productivity could be achieved by better control.
The System Needs People Even After Installation
Automatism doesn’t replace manufacturing knowledge. Automation alters the knowledge required to operate and maintain the process.
Employees should be able recognize unusual behavior and resolve issues, and carry out the correct maintenance. The demands for production can shift as time passes, which means that procedures and protocols will need to be adjusted.
ASA offers training on site that covers safe operation, programming troubleshooting, and mechanical and electrical maintenance. The company offers servicing as well as support for evaluating the condition of equipment, and dealing with wear and tear throughout the life of the system.
Capacity Is About More Than working faster
In Australia, increasing production capacity doesn’t always mean adding workers to repetitive tasks or purchasing bigger structures. One of the best questions to ask is whether the existing manufacturing process can be improved.
ASA has been developing and integrating automation solutions in Australia since 2002. We also help with projects overseas. The company’s strategy combines analysis of needs Engineering, simulation, FANUC robot integration training, as well as servicing.
The objective isn’t automation to achieve its own goals. A system worthy of its weight in gold will be able to provide tangible benefits for manufacturers, for example more reliable production, better quality methods, less risky processes, and less waste.