Manufacturing Automation. If you are presently assembling a product manually, you may be considering automating that process.
Automation can save your company both time and money!
Automation can generally:
· Speed up the process
· Reduce the scrap rate
· Reduce worker fatigue Reduce accident rates
Design the Concept
Make a list of the assembly sequence.
Assign a cycle time estimate to each step of the sequence.
Decide which steps must be manual. (Those which are too difficult to automate, or too expensive)
Decide if any steps must be duplicated, in order to achieve desired cycle time. When these 4-steps are completed, you should know:
The number of automatic stations, in the system.
The number of manual stations, in the system.
The system cycle time.
A Few Words About Cycle Time
For the type of manufacturing automation we are discussing here, cycle times are rarely less than 10 seconds. If you are contemplating faster cycle times than 10 seconds, you are entering the world of special purpose machines. The systems described on these pages are a stop then move type of operation - a continuous motion system may be required for very fast cycle times.
Another alternative may be to assemble multiple parts, at the same time.
Next Look at Transport Methods
The next step, is to take a look at different transport methods, to move the assembly, from station to station. In our experience, there are 3 types, to be considered:
1. If all the stations are manual, then a chute or a conveyor can be used.
2. The rotary indexer is probably the oldest of the transport methods used.
3. The use of Linear Transfer Systems or LTS is the final alternative. Both the Dial Indexer and the LTS, are ideal for mixing manual and automatic stations.
PLC Controllers are the Preferred Controllers in Factory Automation Today
The PLC or Programmable Logic Controller, is the type of control that is used, almost exclusively in today's Factory Automation applications.
Areas of Expertise
• Automation Design and Engineering
• Machine Design / Mechanisms Design
• Systems Integration (EE, Controls, Software)
• Capital Equipment Design and Build
• Industrial Equipment Design
• Test Equipment Custom Design Fabrication
• Medical Equipment Design
• Testing Equipment Design
• Material Handling Equipment Design
• Prototype Equipment Design
• High Volume Manufacturing Applications
• Industrial Process Equipment
• Chemical Handling / Process Gas Distribution
• Vacuum Applications
• Ultra High Vacuum Applications
• Pneumatic Systems
• Hydraulic Systems
• Electrical Power Distribution
• Instrumentation and Control / GUI / HMI
• Robotic work cells
• Custom Robot Design
• Machine Vision Systems
• Optics / Optical Systems
• Electro / Opto / Mechanical Systems
Industries of Note
• Industrial Equipment / Industrial Products
• Commercial Products
• Semiconductor Capital Equipment
• Nanotechnology Capital Equipment
• Computer / Electronics
• Telecommunications
• Medical Equipment
• Clean Energy / Clean Technology
• Solar Energy
• Food Processing
