A large contract is signed by an industrial manufacturer. Production requirements for the month are increased, but the manufacturing facility hasn’t suddenly gained more area for floor, skilled employees, or hours in the day. A temporary increase in production is possible, but the addition of a shift could introduce new requirements for labor education, supervision, training and quality control.
These kinds of situations reveal an important function of robotic automation. Robotics is not just replacing humans with machines. It is able to transform the way that manufacturers utilize their existing capacity for production.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Examine the Seconds That Aren’t able to be found between the products
Inefficient manufacturing may not be obvious. Imagine an operator spending 15 seconds searching for a piece of equipment and then 10 seconds putting it into the material and several seconds to transfer it. On a single part, the difference is insignificant. If repeated thousands of times the seconds could add significant production time.
The same is true for waste material. In the event of spreading a small amount additional coating or dispensing materials over a long production line can lead to a significant expense.
Companies that are considering robot automation Australia projects may gain from examining these minor, repeated losses before making a decision on the equipment they require. The needs analysis conducted by ASA is designed to find bottlenecks and waste, quality issues and other process limitations that could impact an automation project.
Robots must be able to work with the system.
Making a choice on a robot is only one option in the engineering process. It could be necessary to include tooling, guarding and controls sensors as well as conveyers, fixtures electronic integration, and communications with existing production equipment. Engineers need to consider the reach of the robot and its payload, as well as how it interacts with its environment and move around.
ASA provides concept development, system design, CAD simulation, and offline programming as part of its approach to FANUC robotic automation. Digital simulation lets engineers to explore the possibilities of configurations, estimate cycle times and test the system prior to making it in operation on the floor of the customer’s. That becomes particularly useful in situations where space is not available or if new robotics are required to integrate into an existing production line.
Painting and Dispensing demonstrates why Repetability is Important
Controlled movement is essential in certain manufacturing processes. Imagine covering a variety of components. The ability to finish components in a short time is what you want to achieve. It is important to control the speed, distance and movement of each piece from the beginning to the close of the process.
The ASA specialists are skilled in painting and dispensing across industries like aerospace and automotive. In these areas industrial robotic automation is able to ensure that the same program is repeated and reduce exposure of employees to physically demanding or hazardous processes.
The reduction of waste and the improvement of productivity can be accomplished through better control.
The System Needs people after the installation.
Automatism isn’t a substitute for manufacturing knowledge. Automation alters the knowledge required to operate and maintain the process.
Employees should be aware of how to operate equipment safely be aware of abnormal behavior to identify faults, fix them, and conduct the necessary maintenance. The demands for production can shift over time, which means that programs and processes will have to be modified.
ASA offers on-site training in safe operation, programming troubleshooting, as well as mechanical and electrical maintenance. Additionally, the company provides maintenance and support on a regular basis to assess the condition of equipment and address issues that may arise during the equipment’s operational time.
Capacity is the capacity to work faster
For Australian producers, expanding capacity doesn’t necessarily mean buying more space or adding labor to repetitive processes. Sometimes the better question is whether the current manufacturing process can be designed differently.
ASA has created and integrated automation systems in Australia since 2002. We also support projects overseas. Its strategy combines analysis of needs, engineering simulation, FANUC integration as well as training and maintenance.
The goal isn’t to automate for its own sake. An investment-worthy system will provide a manufacturer with tangible results, like more reliable production, higher quality, safer methods and reduced waste, or an increase in capacity.
