Committing to Automation: 3 Questions Before Integration

PB 25 FANUC logo 400

July 22, 2019

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing world, you must be at peak productivity to compete, and the only way to do that is by integrating automated solutions. The biggest players in your industry benefit from automation, so why shouldn’t your business benefit, too? If you’re a small or mid-sized manufacturer considering upgrading your production line with the latest in industrial or collaborative robot (cobot) technology, this article will explore the three questions you need to ask yourself before you commit to automation and integrate it into your company.

Do I really need to automate?

There are several business challenges that need to be considered when you plan to automate one or more manufacturing processes. The following underscores some of the challenges that small and mid-sized companies with low-volume, high-mix production face with increasing competition and a struggling labor market:

  • Identify new ways to cut costs
  • Continuous product quality improvements
  • Minimize waste in terms of time, materials, or both
  • Achieve the flexibility to adapt to changing production demands
  • Struggling to fill positions for repetitive manual jobs
  • Temporary workers aren’t reliable or take too much time to learn processes
  • Repetitive or dangerous processes are impacting workers’ health and safety
  • Expand the business without overextending

Automation will ultimately improve your processes and allow your business to run more efficiently with less effort, helping you solve these challenges. If you identify with one or more of the listed challenges, it is definitely time to integrate automation.

What processes can I automate?

Regardless of the industry you’re in, you can automate almost any process. Whether it’s automotive, metal fabrication, plastics, food or pharmaceutical – integrating automation will enhance your operating efficiencies. Standard robots and cobots are used for a variety of different applications including packaging and palletizing, screwdriving, injection molding, gluing, welding, assembly, pick-and-place, lab analysis, machine tending, and many more. Cobots are also good at performing the dull, dirty, and potentially dangerous tasks or jobs and can safely work alongside operators who perform the higher level tasks and manage the robots.    

How much does it cost and what’s the ROI?

Would you invest more time to increase productivity? Of course, everyone would, but to begin to understand the benefits of integrating automated solutions, it’s about working smarter not harder. Your company’s goals and requirements may dictate which and how many robots you choose to integrate, but quality and reliability are fundamental.

What does automation cost?  There are robots available today that are advertised as being fast, cheap and easy to install.  However, automation is an investment with a long-term objective, and it’s important that you invest in equipment that is going to help you meet your production targets now as well as in the future.

FANUC has a wide range of industrial and collaborative robotic solutions available and offersAuthorized System Integrators (ASI) and support to help you seamlessly integrate these automated solutions into your operation.  System integration expertise may cost you initially, but the increased productivity will save you in added labor costs in the long run.

Automation is also an investment that’s proven to have a strong ROI.  Aside from saving time and labor, FANUC offers lifetime product support, so you know that your system is covered by a team of professionals for as long as your FANUC robots and automation are in production. The best part is that you don’t have to break the bank to integrate these solutions given the increased affordability of robotic technology.

With new automated systems in place, small and mid-sized manufacturers will have a better chance to compete in a global economy.  From the simple to the most advanced, robot and cobot technology is changing how you do business. Remember, you’re never too small for robots, and once you integrate automation, you will improve your bottom line.

Are you ready for automation?

If you have a small to mid-sized manufacturing company that has yet to upgrade to automated systems, what do you think about integrating automated solutions using robot or cobot technology for your business? Think about the cost-effectiveness of committing to automation and the potential productivity that you’ll have as a result. If you have more questions about automation, Fanuc can help solve the most complex challenges for any size business.

Source

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • SEW-Eurodrive: MAXOLUTION System Solutions

    SEW-Eurodrive: MAXOLUTION System Solutions

    Whether in production or logistics operations, MAXOLUTION is synonymous with innovation in factory automation – across all industries and worldwide – helping you achieve your vision of an adaptable and resilient lean smart factory. Under the MAXOLUTION brand, SEW-EURODRIVE creates customized solutions for cutting-edge materials handling technology – from the shop floor through to IT.… Read More…

  • 6 Ways the New maxon Website Enhances Your Experience

    6 Ways the New maxon Website Enhances Your Experience

    maxon develops drives that are among the best in the world. They advance technologies that save lives on Earth, make driving and flying safer, and enable the use of robots in space. Where uncompromising precision and the highest quality standards are crucial for success, their drive systems show what they are made of. Complexity is… Read More…


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • Making the Sustainable Transformation of the Process Industry a Success

    Making the Sustainable Transformation of the Process Industry a Success

    By Krystie Johnston and Dr. Manfred Jagiella – Sustainability facilitates opportunity when approached with a mindset to preserve resources and promote circularity. We share one Earth, and it is our global responsibility to care for it for the next generation. Endress+Hauser is one global company that understands this responsibility – and practices it as well.… Read More…

  • Why NOARK’s 12VDC Shunt Trip Coils for MCCBs Make Power Systems Reliable and Safer

    Why NOARK’s 12VDC Shunt Trip Coils for MCCBs Make Power Systems Reliable and Safer

    Circuit breakers are an essential component of any modern electrical system. Designed to protect your home or business from potential overloads or short circuits, these devices are your first line of defense against electrical fires. There are, however, situations where remote tripping of the circuit breaker may be required. It could be for operational reasons,… Read More…