A manufacturer wins a major contract. The monthly production demands increase, yet the factory isn’t gaining flooring space, skilled workers, or hours in the daytime. Adding another shift might help temporarily, but it can also create new work and training, supervision, and quality-control regulations.
This is a crucial motive behind robotic automation. Robotics isn’t only about replacing a person with an automated machine. It can be used to modify the methods that manufacturers employ to use their existing production capacity.
Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au
Look at the seconds that disappear between products
Manufacturing inefficiency isn’t always evident. An operator could spend 15 seconds assembling the component and then 10 seconds putting on substances, and then a couple of seconds moving it to the next step. In the case of a single piece, the difference in time is not significant. Repeated thousands of times, but those seconds turn into significant production time.
It’s the same for waste materials. A small amount of extra coating or dispensing material that is multiplied over a large-scale production run can result in an expense that is significant.
Companies considering robotic automation Australia projects can benefit from examining these small, repeated losses before deciding what equipment they need. The analysis of needs by ASA aims to pinpoint bottlenecks, as well the quality of work, waste and other processes that could affect an automation project.
The robot must fit the system around it.
Selecting a robot is only one decision in engineering. The system may also need guarding, tools and controls, sensors fixtures, conveyors electronic integration, and connectivity with existing production equipment. Engineers need to consider the reach and payload of the robot while determining how the robot is going to move through its workspace and interact with the environment surrounding it.
The ASA approach to FANUC robot automation is based on conceptual development and design as well as CAD Simulation and offline Programming. Engineers are able to explore configurations for the system and estimate the number of cycles required before the system is finally installed in the factory floor. This is especially helpful when space is limited or when a new robot needs to be integrated with the existing lines of production.
Painting and Dispensing Show Why Repeatability Matters
The ability to control movement is particularly important in certain manufacturing processes. Imagine coating hundreds or thousands of components. It’s not enough to finish each component in a short time. It is crucial to manage the speed, distance, and movement of each piece from beginning to very end.
Our specialists have experience painting and dispensing across different industries like aerospace and automotive. In these settings, industrial robotic automation provides regular, programmatic movements and reduces employee exposure to physically challenging or potentially hazardous processes.
Controlled better can reduce the unnecessary use of materials, leading to a decrease in waste as well as productivity improvements.
The System Still Needs People After Installation
Automation doesn’t eliminate the requirement for manufacturing knowledge. Automation transforms the skills required for maintaining and operating the process.
Employees should be aware of how to operate equipment safely and recognize any abnormalities as well as troubleshoot issues and conduct the necessary maintenance. Programs and processes are able to be changed later if production requirements change.
ASA provides on-site training covering programming, safe operation, troubleshooting, as well as mechanical and electrical maintenance. The company also provides maintenance and support for checking the condition of equipment and taking care to address wear throughout the system’s lifetime.
Capacity is more than just working faster
In Australia, expanding production capacity is not always about the addition of workers to repetitive tasks or buying bigger buildings. Sometimes, the most important thing to consider is whether the present production process can be redesigned differently.
ASA has been creating and integration of automation solutions since 2002. It works with the manufacturing industry in Australia, as well as international projects. Its method of analysis combines needs along with engineering simulation FANUC integration, training and servicing.
The objective isn’t automation just for the sake of automation. An investment in a system should provide a company with quantifiable results, which include increased reliability of production, improved quality, safer methods with less waste, or a greater capacity.