A manufacturing company gets an enormous contract. Monthly production requirements are increased, but the manufacturing facility isn’t gaining flooring space, skilled workers, or hours in the day. While adding another shift may temporarily aid, it might also bring new labor or supervision, as well as additional training and demands for quality-control.

Situations like this reveal an important function of robotic automation. Robotics isn’t only about replacing a person with a machine. The right software can change how manufacturers use their capacity to produce.

Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au

Check out the seconds that disappear between products

Inefficiency in manufacturing doesn’t have to be a major issue. Imagine a worker spending 15 seconds locating a component for 10 seconds, then applying the material, then several seconds moving it. The time difference could seem minor for a single part. If repeated thousands of times, the seconds are significant production time.

It is the same with the waste materials. The addition of a tiny amount of extra coating or dispensing substances in a huge production run could result in a significant expense.

Companies considering robotic automation Australia projects can benefit from examining these small, repeated losses before deciding what equipment they need. ASA’s analysis of needs is designed to pinpoint problems with quality and bottlenecks as also waste and other constraints in a project.

The robot must fit the procedure around it.

A robot is only one of many engineering decisions. It may be necessary to incorporate tooling, security and controls, sensors as well as conveyers, fixtures electronic integration, and communications with the current production equipment. Engineers should consider reach, payload and how the robot will operate and interact with the surrounding.

ASA’s approach for FANUC robot automation encompasses concept development and system design including CAD Simulation, offline programming. Engineers can investigate system configurations and estimate the number of cycles required before the finished system is installed in the factory floor. This is particularly beneficial in situations where space is not available or when new robotics need to be integrated into an existing production line.

Painting and Dispensing Show Why It’s Important to Repeat

Controlled movement is essential for certain manufacturing processes. Imagine applying a coating to hundreds of components. It’s not enough just to complete each piece quickly. The movement, distance, rate, and even the application needs be managed from the beginning of the production line until the time of its completion.

The experts at ASA are proficient in painting and dispensing across different industries such as aerospace and automotive. Industrial robotic automation in these settings allows for repeatable motions and reduce the risk of employees to physical demands or processes that could risk injury.

Better control may also reduce the amount of material used, which can lead to a reduction in waste and productivity improvements.

The System Will Still Need People Even After Installation

Automating doesn’t completely eliminate the requirement for knowledge in manufacturing. The capabilities needed to operate, maintain, and control the process evolve.

Employees should be able spot abnormal behavior and solve problems, as well as carry out the correct maintenance. Programs and processes can be adjusted later if the production needs shift.

ASA provides training on site in safe operation, programming and troubleshooting, as well as electrical and mechanical maintenance. The company also provides servicing and ongoing support to monitor the condition of equipment and to address problems that arise over the system’s operational time.

Capacity is about more than simply working faster

In Australia, increasing capacity for production is not always about adding workers to repetitive tasks or buying larger buildings. It’s sometimes more beneficial to inquire about whether the production process can be modified.

ASA has created and integrated automation solutions in Australia since 2002. We also assist with projects in other countries. The company’s strategy combines analysis of needs with engineering, simulation, FANUC robot integration Training, and servicing.

Automation is not the only goal. A good system will give a manufacturer something measurable in the form of more reliable production that is consistent in quality, more secure methods, less waste or a larger capacity for the existing factory.