6 design tips to futureproof your production
EDITOR ’ S CHOICE PREPARE TO AUTOMATE
FANUC
6 design tips to futureproof your production
Oliver Selby , Head of Sales for FANUC UK
Manufacturing is one of the UK ’ s success stories . With an output valued at £ 224bn , we are now the eighth largest manufacturing nation in the world . But our position is vulnerable unless we significantly increase our level of automation .
Helping manufacturers to increase their productivity , reduce waste , improve product quality and alleviate labour shortages , the benefits of automation are myriad . And as the only G7 country to sit outside the top 20 in terms of robot density ( we are actually 25th in the IFR global robot league table ), accelerating our automation uptake is essential if we are to retain our place as a leading manufacturing nation .
Here , Oliver Selby , Head of Sales for FANUC UK , outlines six key design considerations for seamless automation integration …
1 . Embrace the automation process It may sound obvious , but keep front of mind the fact that your product ’ s manufacturing process will need to benefit from automation . This can generally only be done by incorporating automation into the design of the product , whether that ’ s by giving the part a feature that allows it to be picked up by a robot , located or inspected by a vision system , or allowing access for a welding torch or fixturing , for example .
This mindset also translates to the wider production line . We see products designed using multiple materials , joining techniques and production methods which won ’ t all necessarily work together to produce something that is easily automated , but which designers are reluctant to give up . However , it can be better to take a hit on one material or process to make things easier to automate , thereby reducing overall production costs .
2 . Prioritise parts Focus on part delivery methods within the complete solution . Often , customers will come to us looking for an automated solution , but with their component parts delivered in no ordered way . As much as 20-30 % of the cost of the project can be spent on getting those parts located or fixtured and ready to process before the real automation process can actually begin . It makes more commercial sense to keep parts in order , whether that ’ s in a nested box , on a conveyor or in a stack .
Also think about part handling and fixturing . Significant costs could end up being channelled into part
It is therefore important that when designing a new product , planning a new production line or upgrading your existing facility , automation is factored in from the very start of the process , not just as an afterthought . Not only does this keep down costs , it also ensures that any automation will be right first time , minimising downtime , boosting productivity and resulting in a solution that is fit for purpose .
Incorporate automation into the design of the product , whether that ’ s by giving the part a feature that allows it to be picked up by a robot , located or inspected by a vision system .
22 PECM Issue 70