Manufacturers and engineers are under constant pressure to streamline production, enhance efficiency and productivity, and reduce waste. Many are turning to robotics and automation to achieve those aims.
Figures show that robotics pay an integral role in almost half (44.9%) of modern manufacturing or assembly facilities, a trend accelerated by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
As more and more firms get to grips with Industry 4.0 technologies and embrace the industrial metaverse, it’s clear that robotics are here to stay.
The whole point of an integrated and automated production environment is to enhance human capital by facilitating more efficient, streamlined and reliable operations.
Robotics perform repetitive production tasks with ease, maintain more consistent output quality, and minimise the health and safety risk associated with potentially hazardous manual processes by reducing the need for human interaction. Automated robotic systems can also help reduce running costs, waste and energy usage, which can have a big impact on the operator’s bottom line.
However, the key to getting the most out of an integrated robotics system lies in the design. If it’s well-thought-out and executed, it can transform entire end-to-end production processes, to help businesses do what they do, only better.
So, if you’re thinking of integrating robotics into your production facility – or enhancing an existing system with the latest automation technologies, here are a few things to bear in mind.
Application and design
The first consideration for operators is what they will use the robotic system for, which will have a big bearing on how it should be designed. It’s crucial to ensure that the new system will be fit for purpose before it’s commissioned, so working out exactly what you need the system to do, before designing and prototyping it, is key.
Advanced technologies like 3D modelling, augmented reality and virtual reality can help you render your plans in a simulated digital environment. Here, you can test its capabilities and effectiveness virtually, make any adjustments and prove the concept before commissioning begins.
You can also gain an accurate picture of how the new integrated environment will perform before it’s put into operation. With this in mind, it’s crucial that every element of the new system is tested to failure, and that every part of the system is designed to connect seamlessly, for the best results.
Flexibility
Arguably one of the biggest benefits of an integrated robotics system is the flexibility it brings to production.
With traditional plant and machinery, it takes time and resource to switch between processes or products, which can lead to disruption and downtime as the required maintenance takes place.
Making your new environment flexible by design can minimise or overcome these issues, allowing your operators to switch between processes with minimal effort. This is why it’s important to ensure each element of your new system is interconnected, as mentioned above. Connected devices can help you save valuable set-up and maintenance time and minimise downtime of key equipment and machinery.
It also means you can bring new products to market quicker, with a control network that ensures all your processes work to an integrated set of quality standards.
Human interaction
Although robotics play an increasingly important role in many industrial processes, their main aim is to complement human capital, rather than replace it.
It’s all about simplifying production processes to make them smarter, safer and more sustainable.
So, it’s vital that your team are equipped with the skills, knowledge, tools and information to for their jobs, to ensure your automated systems run at their optimum performance levels.
Diagnostics and predictive maintenance can help keep production downtime to a minimum and reduce the amount of human interaction required to fix problems or access and maintain dangerous machinery.
It also means your teams can be diverted towards directing and monitoring operations rather than doing manual production tasks, so they can add greater value and enhance productivity. This can also help keep your teams more motivated and engaged with the work.
Safety
Health and safety is a major consideration for manufacturers and engineers of all sizes.
The financial, reputational and human consequences of a health and safety breach – particularly if someone in injured – can be devastating.
The whole point of integrated robotics is to enable humans to work with plant, machinery and equipment safely.
This means reducing reliance on repetitive physical activities, such as manual production or assembly tasks, as well as reducing or removing the need for human interaction with potentially dangerous machinery or equipment.
The overall vision for smart manufacturing is to create shop floor production environments, where robots operate safely, with minimal need for human involvement, to reduce occupational health and safety risks.
How can Banelec help?
There’s little doubt that robotics will play a vital role in the workplace of the future, so getting ahead of the game is essential. If your business operates in the advanced manufacturing or engineering sectors, you simply can’t afford to ignore the potential that robotics can unlock.
Whether you’re looking for a complete robot cell, or an electrical system to control your robot installation, Banelec can help. We’ll work with you to understand your project, objectives and budget, before designing, developing, engineering and installing your solution to the highest quality standards, overseeing your project delivery to ensure it’s a success.
If your business is looking to achieve improvement through technology, whatever industry you’re in, Banelec can put you in control. Get in touch to find out more.