When Faster Isn’t Better: Balancing Robot Speed, Quality, Safety, and Equipment Life

A large contract is signed by an industrial manufacturer. The monthly production needs increase however the facility has no room and has employees with previous experience or more hours to work during the daytime. An increase in production for a short period is possible, but the addition of a shift could introduce new demands for labor education, supervision, training and quality control.

Image credit: automatedsolutions.com.au

This is a crucial purpose for robotic automation. Robotics doesn’t just mean replacing human workers with machines. It could be utilized to modify the methods that manufacturers employ to use their existing capacity for production.

Look at the amount of time that is lost between the products

Manufacturing inefficiency doesn’t have to be a major issue. Imagine a worker spending 15 seconds locating a component and then 10 seconds putting it into the material and then transferring it. On a single part, the difference is insignificant. It’s a lot when multiplied by thousands.

It’s the same with scrap material. Multiplying a small amount of extra coating or dispensing materials in a huge production run could result in substantial costs.

Businesses considering robotic automation Australia projects may benefit from examining these small, repeated losses before deciding on the equipment they will require. ASA’s needs analysis is intended to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, quality issues, as well as other limitations to process that could influence an automation project.

Robots have to work with the system.

A robot is one of many engineering options. Guardings, tools, controls sensors, conveyors, and fixtures might also be required. Engineers must consider the payload, reach and range as well as how the robot will move and interact with its environment.

ASA’s approach to FANUC robot automation is to use concept development, system design including CAD Simulation, offline Programming. The digital simulation allows engineers to explore the possibilities of configurations, estimate cycle times, and evaluate the system before it becomes operating on the floor of a customer’s premises. It is particularly helpful when there’s a finite amount of space, or when the new robotics requires integration with the production line.

Paint and Dispensing Shows Why Replicability is Important

Certain manufacturing processes highlight the value of controlled movement particularly well. Imagine coating hundreds or even thousands of parts. Making components faster is what you want to achieve. The distance, movement speed, and application need be controlled from the start of the production process until the point of completion.

ASA has experts working on painting and dispensing systems across industries including automotive and aerospace. In these environments, industrial robotic automation can provide repeatable programmed movement while also reducing employee exposure to physically demanding or potentially hazardous processes.

Controlled better can reduce the unnecessary use of materials, leading to less waste, as well as productivity enhancements.

Installation of the system isn’t enough. You still need people to keep it running.

Automation can’t replace the manufacturing know-how. It changes the skills required to manage and maintain the process.

Employees should be able detect abnormal behavior and identify issues, and carry out the correct maintenance. The production requirements can also change, meaning procedures and programs might require modifications later.

ASA offers training on-site in safe operating, programming, and troubleshooting, in addition to maintenance of electrical and mechanical systems. The company also provides servicing and ongoing support to check the condition of equipment and to address wear and tear over the course of its operating lifespan.

Capacity is the capacity to work faster

For Australian producers, expanding capacity doesn’t necessarily mean buying a larger building or continually adding labor to repetitive processes. Sometimes, the most important thing to consider is whether the present production process can be redesigned differently.

ASA has been developing and the integration of automation solutions since 2002. It has assisted manufacturers in Australia and projects across the globe. Its approach connects needs analysis Engineering, simulation, FANUC robot integration, training, and servicing.

Automation is not the goal. A worthwhile system should give an industry a tangible the form of more reliable production with consistent quality, safe methods, less waste or a greater capacity in the facility it operates.

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