Automated and Robotic manufacturing Processes

The actual process of manufacturing has evolved over time. In years past, the assembling, or manufacturing process was physically preformed by humans. In an effort to remain competitive, many companies have incorporated robotics and automation in their manufacturing processes, thus reducing or eliminating manpower.

One of the benefits of as a member of ASQ, (American Society of Quality) often we are privileged to touring manufacturing plants. It is very interesting to view the different techniques of automation, which includes assembly, inspection, and packaging of the various products. Once the automated process have been "debugged", the process is very stable and repetitive. The productivity is maintain throughout the day, or even work week. These systems eliminate the human factor.
These tours are very educational to all in attendance; they often give ideas to other manufacturing companies for their own facilities or processes, whether the process is manufacturing a safety helmet or electronics board these processes can be implemented in other manufacturing facilities

When the process is robotics, the programs are a computer program that is saved, and in the event of a crash or failure, they can be easily retrieved and obtain within minutes of the failure. Their is some upfront cost for these high tech programs, but low cost maintenance. Often, when changes or modifications need to be implemented, they are simple program changes, which can be achieved with a minimum cost and time.

One of the largest benefits of automation is the 100% inspection capabilities. When people sort or inspect it is a statically fact that the process is only 80% effective. This is not an acceptable standard when most customer expect a zero percent defects. On the other hand, automated or robotic inspection is 100% effective, this is often referred to a error proof or poka-yoke. Most customers require a system correction when a failure has escaped their suppliers facility. Automation is away to obtain this system correction or improvement, and pacifing the customers at the same time.