A company is awarded the contract for a significant amount. While the requirements for monthly production have grown, the plant doesn’t suddenly have more flooring or experienced workers. While adding another shift may temporarily improve the situation, it may also bring new labor, supervision, training and the need for quality control.

This situation highlights a major reason for robots. Robotics does not only mean replacing human beings with machines. In the right application it could alter the way companies use the capacity they already have.

Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au

You can check out the time difference between the products

Manufacturing inefficiency doesn’t need to be a major issue. An operator may spend 15 seconds assembling the component and then 10 seconds putting on materials, and a few seconds more to move it to the next step. For a single component, the difference in time is not significant. Repeated thousands of times, these seconds can turn into an enormous amount of production time.

The same is true for wasted material. A small amount of extra coating or dispensing substances in a huge production line can lead to substantial costs.

Businesses considering robot automation Australia projects can gain from examining these minor loss events repeatedly before choosing the right equipment. The needs analysis conducted by ASA is designed to pinpoint bottlenecks, as well quality issues, waste and other process limitations that might affect an automation plan.

A Robot has to fit the Process Around It

The choice of a robot is just one aspect of engineering. The system might also require tools, guarding control, sensors fixtures, conveyors, electrical integration, and communications with existing production equipment. Engineers should consider reach, payload and how the robot is going to move and interact in the environment.

ASA provides concept development, system design, CAD simulation, and offline programming as part of its approach to FANUC robotic automation. Engineers can look at system configurations and estimate cycle times before the final system is put on the factory floor. This is particularly useful when there is a shortage of space or if new robotics need to be integrated with the existing lines of production.

Painting and Dispensing demonstrate why Repeatability Matters

Controlled movement is especially important in certain manufacturing processes. Imagine applying a protective coating to hundreds of parts. It’s not enough to finish each part in a short time. The motion, distance, speed, and the application must be managed starting from the beginning of the production run to the end.

ASA has experts working on paint and dispensing processes across industries including automotive and aerospace. In these settings industrial robotic automation may ensure that the same program is repeated as well as limiting exposure for employees to physically demanding or hazardous processes.

A better control system can also help reduce the unnecessary use of materials, leading to less waste, as well as productivity gains.

The System Needs Personnel After Installation

Automatism isn’t a substitute for manufacturing knowledge. Automation alters the knowledge required for maintaining and operating the manufacturing process.

Employees should be able recognize unusual behavior and resolve issues, and carry out the correct maintenance. Processes and programs can be adjusted later if production requirements alter.

ASA offers on-site training in safe operation, programming, troubleshooting, as well as electrical and mechanical maintenance. The company offers ongoing maintenance and service to ensure that the equipment is in good condition and wear and tear issues are dealt with.

Capacity goes beyond just making work faster

For Australian manufacturers, increasing capacity doesn’t mean purchasing more space or adding labor to repetitive processes. One of the best questions to ask is whether the existing manufacturing process can be improved.

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

Automating just for the sake of it isn’t the goal. A successful system must give manufacturers something tangible in yield, more stable production that is consistent in quality, more secure methods, less waste or more capacity from the factory that it currently operates.