A manufacturer is awarded a large contract. Although the monthly production requirements have risen, the manufacturing facility doesn’t suddenly have more floors or more experienced workers. While adding another shift may temporarily boost production, it could also bring new labor as well as training, supervision, and quality-control needs.
This is a crucial reason for robots. Robotics doesn’t just replace humans with machines. It could be utilized to change the way manufacturers utilize their existing production capacity.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Take a look at the seconds that disappear between the products
Inefficiency in manufacturing isn’t always so dramatic. Imagine a worker spending 15 seconds searching for a piece of equipment, 10 seconds applying the material and several seconds to transfer it. With a single component it’s a small difference. When repeated thousands of times these seconds can result in significant production delays.
The waste material that is discarded is not different. Similar is the case to waste materials.
Businesses considering robotic automation Australia projects may benefit from looking at these small loss events repeatedly before choosing the right equipment. The analysis of needs by ASA aims to find bottlenecks and problems with quality, waste and other process constraints which might affect an automation plan.
The robot must fit the process around it
Selecting a robot is only one engineering decision. Guardings, tools, controls as well as conveyors, sensors and fixtures could also be needed. Engineers need to consider the payload and reach while determining how the robot can move around its workspace 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. The digital simulation allows engineers analyze configurations, estimate cycles time and allow them to test the system before it becomes operational on the customer’s floor. This is particularly helpful in situations where space is not available or if new robotics are required to integrate with an established production line.
Paint and Dispensing Shows Why Replicability is Crucial
Certain manufacturing processes illustrate the importance of controlled movements. Imagine coating hundreds or thousands of parts. The end goal isn’t simply complete each component at a rapid pace. From the beginning of production to the end, the movement, speed, distance and application must be controlled.
Our specialists have experience dispensing and painting across various industries like aerospace and automotive. In these settings industrial robotic automation could allow for repeatable, programmed movements while reducing exposure of employees to physically demanding or hazardous processes.
An improved control over the waste material can also aid in productivity improvement by increasing the quantity of material that is consumed.
Even after the installation the system will still require individuals
Automation doesn’t eliminate the need for skilled manufacturing. It transforms the knowledge needed to operate and maintain the process.
Employees must be instructed to use equipment safely, identify abnormal behavior as well as troubleshoot components that are malfunctioning and carry out necessary maintenance. Production requirements can also be changed, which means processes and programs may require adjustment later.
ASA offers on-site training in safe operating, programming, and troubleshooting, in addition to maintenance of electrical and mechanical systems. The company offers servicing and assistance for assessing the condition of equipment, and dealing with wear throughout the lifetime of the system.
Capacity is about more than just working faster
The expansion of capacity for Australian manufacturers doesn’t always need to mean purchasing a larger facility or adding additional labor on repetitive processes. The best question to ask is whether the existing manufacturing process can be improved.
ASA has been working on and integrated automation solutions since 2002, and has been supporting companies in Australia and also projects in other countries. The approach is a combination of needs analysis, engineering simulation, FANUC integration along with training and servicing.
The objective isn’t automation just for the sake of automation. A worthwhile system should give manufacturers something tangible in return more dependable production with consistent quality, safe procedures, less waste or more capacity from the existing factory.