A manufacturing company wins a big contract. The monthly production requirement increases however, the plant does not have enough space and employees with experience or extra hours during the day. A temporary increase in production is possible, but the addition of a shift could introduce new requirements for labor, training, supervision and quality control.

Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au

Situations like this reveal the importance of robotic automation. Robotics isn’t only about replacing human beings with machines. If used properly, it can change how manufacturers make use of the resources they already have.

Check out the seconds between the products

Manufacturing inefficiency doesn’t have to be dramatic. Imagine a worker taking 15 seconds searching for a piece of equipment for 10 seconds, then applying the material and several seconds transferring it. It may appear to be a small difference for one component. If repeated thousands of times these seconds can create significant production time.

It is the same with waste material. Same goes to waste materials.

Before choosing the equipment they will require, companies looking at robotic automation Australia will benefit from studying these tiny losses. ASA’s needs analysis is designed to pinpoint bottlenecks, problems with quality, waste and other process constraints that could influence an automation project.

A Robot has to fit the Process Around It

A robot is one of many engineering decisions. Tooling, guardings, controls, sensor, conveyors and fixtures may also be needed. Engineers should consider the reach, payload and how the robot is going to move and interact with the environment.

The ASA approach to FANUC robot automation includes conceptual development and design along with CAD Simulation and offline Programming. Digital simulation allows engineers to test configurations and estimate cycles before the system can be put in operation at the customer’s factory floor. This is especially useful when there is a shortage of space or if new robotics require to be integrated with the existing lines of production.

Painting and Dispensing demonstrate why the importance of repeatability is evident.

Certain manufacturing processes highlight the importance of controlled movement particularly well. Imagine coating hundreds of parts. The desired result isn’t merely completing each component quickly. It is crucial to manage the speed, distance and movement of each component from beginning to final.

ASA has specialists who work with paint and dispensing application across various industries, including automotive and aeronautics. In these environments, industrial robotic automation can provide repeatable programmed movement while also reducing employee exposure to physically demanding or potentially hazardous processes.

A better control of materials that are discarded can increase productivity by increasing the quantity of material used.

Installing the system is not enough. You will require people to manage it.

Automation does not eliminate the requirement for knowledge in manufacturing. It alters the knowledge required for operating and maintaining the manufacturing process.

Employees should be able spot abnormal behavior and solve issues, and carry out the correct maintenance. Processes and programs can be modified later on if production requirements are changed.

ASA offers on-site training in safe operation, programming, troubleshooting, as well as electrical and mechanical maintenance. The company provides servicing and assistance for assessing the condition of equipment, and dealing with wear throughout the lifetime of the system.

Capacity is greater than working faster

In Australia, increasing capacity for production does not always mean the addition of workers to repetitive tasks or purchasing bigger buildings. The better question to ask is whether the present manufacturing process could be improved.

ASA has been designing and integration of automation solutions since 2002. It supports the manufacturing industry in Australia, as well as international projects. Its approach connects needs analysis Engineering, simulation, FANUC robot integration training, servicing, and maintenance.

Automation isn’t the main goal. A system worth its weight in gold ought to bring tangible benefits to a manufacturer, such as greater reliability, higher quality methods, less risky processes, and less waste.