A manufacturing company gets a large contract. The monthly production requirement increases but the company isn’t equipped with more space, employees with experience, or extra hours during the daytime. The addition of a second shift could help temporarily, but it can create new labor as well as training, supervision and quality-control requirements.

This scenario reveals the primary motive behind robotic automation. Robotics doesn’t just mean replacing humans with a machine. It is able to modify the methods that manufacturers employ to use their current production capacity.

Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au

Look at the minutes that vanish between products

Manufacturing inefficiency doesn’t need to be a major issue. An operator may spend 15 minutes positioning the item and then 10 seconds putting on materials, and a few seconds more to move it to the next step. On a single part, the difference is insignificant. The seconds add up when multiplied by thousands.

It’s the same for wasted material. In the event of spreading a small amount additional coating or dispensing materials across a large production run could lead to 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 bottlenecks and quality issues as in addition to the waste that can be a problem during a project.

The robot must fit the system around it.

Robots are just one of many engineering decisions. Tooling, guardings, controls sensors, conveyors and fixtures could also be needed. Engineers must consider reach, payload and how the robot will operate and interact with the environment.

ASA offers concept development, system design, CAD simulation, and offline programming as part of its plan to FANUC’s robotic automation. Digital simulation lets engineers examine configurations and estimate the time-to-market before the system is operational on the customer’s factory floor. This is particularly helpful in cases of space limitations or when a new robot needs to be incorporated into existing production lines.

The importance of consistency in painting and dispensing

Certain manufacturing processes highlight the importance of controlled movements. Imagine coating hundreds or even thousands of parts. The desired result isn’t merely the process of completing every component in a short time. From the time of beginning production through the conclusion moving, speed of the machine, the distance and the application have to be controlled.

ASA is a specialist in paint and dispensing processes across industries including automotive and aerospace. Industrial robotic automation in these environments allows for reproducible movements as well as limiting the exposure of workers to physical demanding processes or those that could be dangerous.

Improved control can also cut down on unnecessary material consumption, contributing to a reduction in waste and productivity improvement.

The System Still Needs Personnel After Installation

Automation does not completely eliminate the need for skilled manufacturing. Automation transforms the skills required to manage and control the manufacturing process.

Employees should be aware of how to operate equipment safely identify abnormal behavior, troubleshoot faults, and take care of maintenance. Production requirements can change with time, which means that programs and processes will have to be modified.

ASA provides on-site training in safe operation, programming, troubleshooting. It also offers maintenance of electrical and mechanical systems. Additionally, the company provides maintenance and support on a regular basis to assess the condition of the equipment and deal with problems that arise over the system’s operational duration.

Capacity Is About More Than Working Faster

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

ASA has been working on and integrating automation systems since 2002, supporting companies in Australia as well as projects internationally. The method is based on analysis of needs as well as engineering, simulations FANUC robotic integration and training as well as servicing.

The goal isn’t to automate just for the sake of automation. A system that is worth the gold it’s worth will provide measurable benefits to an enterprise, including better production reliability, better quality, safer processes and less waste.