Making the decision to automate a process in your factory can be a daunting task. There are many factors to consider, and making the wrong decision can be costly. In this blog post, we will discuss the three major decisions you need to make when rationalizing an automation process: what to automate, how to automate it, and who will operate the machinery. Let’s get started!
What Needs Automation
The first step is to assess what needs to be automated. This will involve taking a close look at your factory floor and determining which processes can be streamlined with automation. Not sure where to start? Ask yourself the following two questions:
-Which tasks are my team doing that are highly repetitive?
-Which tasks are my team doing that are unergonomic?
If a task is highly repetitive, it is a good candidate for automation. Automating repetitive tasks can help to improve efficiency and accuracy while freeing up your team to focus on other tasks. If a task is unergonomic, it may be causing strain or injuries for your team members. In these cases, automating the task can help to improve safety on the factory floor.
How to Automate
Now that you know what needs to be automated, it’s time to start thinking about how you will automate it. There are two main ways to automate a process: with industrial robots or with collaborative robots (cobots). Industrial robots are typically used for larger scale projects and require programming expertise to operate. Cobots, on the other hand, are designed to work alongside humans and can be easily integrated into existing factory processes.
Who Will Operate the Machinery
The final decision you need to make is who will operate the machinery. In some cases, it may make sense for your team members to operate the machinery. In other cases, it may be more efficient to hire outside operators. If you do decide to hire outside operators, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
– Make sure they have experience with the specific type of machinery you are using.
– Ask for references from previous employers.
– Conduct a thorough background check.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your factory floor is running smoothly and safely. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!