Taking the Leap into Automation: Where to Start
Manufacturers can leverage industrial automation to increase productivity and employee safety.
Automation converts manual processes into tasks that industrial robots can perform effectively and repetitively. Integrating automation into existing manufacturing processes proves to be a rewarding investment.
Automation, especially for small- to mid-sized businesses, is easier when you have a plan and partner to walk with you in the whole process. This article will guide you on how to get started.
Steps to get started with automation
Step 1: Understand the need for automation
Contrary to most people's assumptions, automation is not a new concept.
Automation has been around for hundreds of years, with different generations adopting the latest automation ability as per their times. Consider harvesters and the cotton gin in agriculture or assembly lines and conveyor belts in the earliest factories. The emergence of personal computing in the 1980s was also a way of automating bookkeeping and word processing.
Modern-day automation is being defined by more complex systems, including machine learning, machine vision, robotics, artificial intelligence, and other developing automation technologies. It is not necessarily a requirement to start with advanced machine intelligence in automation, but it is the final goal.
The need for automation continues to grow due to various reasons. One of the main motivational factors is normally to enhance productivity. Through automation, companies can improve how efficiently their systems run, better utilize resources, and potentially run machines 24/7. All these contribute towards increasing the quality and quantity of your production.
Statistically speaking, it makes sense to adopt automation technologies now. Baby boomers are on their way out of the manufacturing industry, according to a study performed by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute. The exit would leave about 2 million unfilled jobs because only a few young workers are entering the field.
Such labor shortages impact the effectiveness at which companies can serve their customer base. Therefore, they need to start planning early on how to make up for it, and automation seems like the only way out.
Step 2: Check what you can automate
Knowing the industrial applications for automation is different from being aware of the specific items in your production line that you can automate. Generally speaking, robots can handle various tasks in your production line, including painting, welding, material handling, etc. How you make use of them is dependent on your specific scenario.
There is a very high chance that a good number of your business parts already run on an automated system. Assembly lines, computers, and other machinery are just an example. The focus here is what you need to automate next.
Start by thinking small and aim at making a total overhaul of your business processes. Check which sections of your business will operate better after implementing automation technologies.
Determining what you need to automate is all about paying attention to how things are currently being done. For instance, do you have workers doing manual inspections daily? Would you be better off with a robot arm that assesses the machine parts and uses machine vision to identify irregularities?
By looking at your business processes, you are able to come up with a list of places where automation would prove helpful.
Step 3: Settle on the type of robot needed
There are different types of industrial robots that you can use for your automation needs. For instance, you can have a robotic weld cell whose role is to weld specific parts. As you pick the robot needed, always aim at choosing a turnkey work cell since this is pre-built and fully integrated by the manufacturer.
Some of the robots that you could use for your automation needs include:
Cobots – These are collaborative robots and often have sensors so that they can safely work together with humans. They are often smaller and work slower than their industrial counterparts.
Industrial robot arms – These robots are mechanical mechanisms comprising of axes and normally operate independently of a human operator. They often run with limited to no human interaction for safety reasons.
Autonomous mobile robots – These are robots that can learn their environment and move around without the direct supervision of an operator. They do not need a limited or fixed path.
There are many other types of robots to go for. Whatever type you choose will be determined by what you need to do and the guidance of an expert like NRTC.
Step 4: Put together a team and execute your plan
Having determined the need for automation, what can be automated, and the various types of robots to go for, the next phase is to have the right team in place. The goal is not just about saying you want to automate your processes. You must make sure that you have the right partners for that.
Working with an effective team like NRTC Automation gives you clarity of the problems that need to be resolved and keeps you on track in meeting your goals. We can help you hire technicians and engineers for your business, build custom weld cells, and decommission your facility when you grow into new projects.
Schedule a free consultation with NRTC today to learn more about how we can support your production goals.
NRTC AUTOMATION HELPS YOU GET STARTED WITH AUTOMATION SEAMLESSLY
NRTC Automation is determined to give you an easy ride throughout the automation journey, from start to finish. We will be there for you when you are getting started, help the machines run effectively through servicing, and decommission when it comes to that.