A manufacturing company gets an important contract. The monthly production requirement increases however the facility does not have enough space and employees with experience or additional hours in the daytime. A temporary increase in production could be possible, however an additional shift may bring new demands for labor as well as training, supervision, and quality control.

Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au

Situations like this reveal an important purpose of robotic automation. Robotics doesn’t just mean replacing human workers with machines. If it is used correctly it could alter the way manufacturers use the production capacity they already have.

Look at the amount of time that is lost between the products

Inefficiency in manufacturing doesn’t have to be significant. Suppose an operator spends 15 minutes putting a piece of equipment in place, another 10 seconds applying the material, and a few minutes transferring it onto the next task. For one part the difference appears to be insignificant. If repeated thousands of times however, these seconds can add significant production time.

The same is true for wasted material. The same is true to waste materials.

The companies that are considering robotic automation Australia could benefit from studying these small loss, repeated ones before they choose the equipment they will purchase. ASA’s analysis of needs is designed to pinpoint problems with quality and bottlenecks, as also the waste that can be a problem in a plan.

A Robot Must Fit the Process Around It

A robot is one of the many engineering choices. Tools, guardings, controls as well as conveyors, sensors and fixtures could also be needed. Engineers must take into consideration the reach and payload of the robot while determining how the robot is going to move through its space and interact with the environment around it.

The ASA approach to FANUC robot automation is based on concept development, system design along with CAD Simulation and offline Programming. Engineers can look at system configurations and estimate cycles before the finished system is installed on the floor of the factory. This is especially useful in situations where space is not available or when new robotics have to integrate into an existing production line.

Painting and Dispensing demonstrates why It’s Important to Repeat

Controlled movement is essential for certain manufacturing processes. Imagine coating hundreds or thousands of components. Making components faster is the desired outcome. It’s crucial to regulate the speed, distance, and the movement of every component from the beginning until the at the very end.

ASA has experts working on painting and dispensing applications across a range of industries including automotive as well as aerospace. Industrial robotics automation in these areas can allow for repeatable movements while limiting exposure of employees to physical demanding processes or ones that may risk injury.

An improved control over materials that are discarded can increase productivity by cutting down on the amount of waste material used.

The System Will Still Need people after the installation.

Automation does not eliminate the need for expertise in manufacturing. Automation transforms the skills required for maintaining and operating the manufacturing process.

Employees must be able to recognize unusual behavior and resolve issues, and carry out the correct maintenance. The processes and procedures are able to be changed later if production requirements shift.

ASA offers training on-site in programming, safety, troubleshooting and mechanical and electric maintenance. The company provides continuous maintenance and servicing to ensure that equipment is in top condition and wear and tear problems are dealt with.

Capacity is more than just working faster

Increased capacity for Australian manufacturers doesn’t always require the purchase of a larger building or adding more employees on repetitive processes. Sometimes, it is better to inquire if the manufacturing process can be modified.

ASA has created and integrated automation systems in Australia since 2002. We also help with projects abroad. The company’s strategy combines analysis of needs Engineering, simulation, FANUC robot integration training, servicing, and maintenance.

Automation is not for the sake of it. A successful system must give the manufacturer something tangible in the form of more reliable production and quality, as well as safer methods, less waste or additional capacity from the existing factory.