Factory Automation - How to Automate Your Factory
Factory Automation is a HUGE field, covering a wide range of technologies. You may be looking to automate an individual process or automate your entire factory.
Your desire can be very simple. For example: marking more complex parts or assembly automation equipment.
I've spent a lifetime in the automation business. That's what I know best. Starting as draftsman apprentices, to design machines, to found and manage systems integration companies. I've done it all! When should I consider using factory automation? There is no simple answer, but you should always look at what is possible to make your processes more efficient. - Some examples may be: A process has become very repetitive and is now stopping or slowing down production.
If the parts are assembled, by hand, and all parts are IDENTICAL, then this could be a candidate for assembly automation equipment. Perhaps your sales have increased to the point where you manually complete a task, at your factory, which has become too expensive or unprofitable. (Robots can be useful here). Or you may find that as production increases and people add, rejection rates also increase and decrease the profitability of the process. Now we are getting to the heart of the question: COST!
The only reason to automate an existing process is that it makes sense, financially, to do so.
Don't fall into the trap of automation because it looks good, it's "sexy" or awesome.
Factory automation, especially robots, maybe all of this, but the bottom line is that it should make financial sense and show a reasonable return on investment.
If you're new to automation, make your first project simple, reasonably successful—leave the most complex ones, until later, when you have a higher level of confidence and learn more about the possibilities. So how do you start the process? If the project is likely to be quite large, both financially and from a team point of view, consider approaching a System Integrator.
If you are considering a simpler start, then it may be possible to find an equipment provider. A third alternative is to hire an automation consultant who can help you select an integrator or machine supplier and/or research the field, for your particular project.
Your desire can be very simple. For example: marking more complex parts or assembly automation equipment.
I've spent a lifetime in the automation business. That's what I know best. Starting as draftsman apprentices, to design machines, to found and manage systems integration companies. I've done it all! When should I consider using factory automation? There is no simple answer, but you should always look at what is possible to make your processes more efficient. - Some examples may be: A process has become very repetitive and is now stopping or slowing down production.
If the parts are assembled, by hand, and all parts are IDENTICAL, then this could be a candidate for assembly automation equipment. Perhaps your sales have increased to the point where you manually complete a task, at your factory, which has become too expensive or unprofitable. (Robots can be useful here). Or you may find that as production increases and people add, rejection rates also increase and decrease the profitability of the process. Now we are getting to the heart of the question: COST!
The only reason to automate an existing process is that it makes sense, financially, to do so.
Don't fall into the trap of automation because it looks good, it's "sexy" or awesome.
Factory automation, especially robots, maybe all of this, but the bottom line is that it should make financial sense and show a reasonable return on investment.
If you're new to automation, make your first project simple, reasonably successful—leave the most complex ones, until later, when you have a higher level of confidence and learn more about the possibilities. So how do you start the process? If the project is likely to be quite large, both financially and from a team point of view, consider approaching a System Integrator.
If you are considering a simpler start, then it may be possible to find an equipment provider. A third alternative is to hire an automation consultant who can help you select an integrator or machine supplier and/or research the field, for your particular project.
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