Page 28 - Plastics News August 2019
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FEATURES
Implementing Automation Systems: How to Do It Right
Markus Klaus
f you’re thinking of putting a complex automation system through automation is measurable and much more
Ifor high-volume consumables into your plant, consider repeatable and reliable.
these tips on making sure both you and your supplier are
ready to give it the best chance of success. 2YHUDOO HIÀFLHQF\ 6LQFH DXWRPDWLRQ LV EHVW DSSOLHG
right at the molding machine, parts orientation is
never lost and therefore need not to be regained by
expensive bowl feeders or other feeding systems.
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warehouses and back for further processing.
The point here is not to claim that humans perform
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that with the right knowledge, the right technology and
the right preparation you can equip your plant personnel
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your production outputs, part quality, and overall
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In today’s competitive world of manufacturing, it is more
address the different qualities of both the molder and
QHFHVVDU\ WKDQ HYHU WR XVH PRUH HIÀFLHQW DQG WKHUHIRUH hardware/software supplier that are needed to guarantee
sometimes complex, automation systems. The need for a successful automation project.
more automation has many sources. Here are some of the
most obvious: GETTING YOUR STAFF READY FOR AUTOMATION
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strict immigration rules have created a huge gap for manpower to understand, operate and maintain highly
all sectors of experienced labor. Skilled operators, complex automation systems?
process engineers and maintenance people are in (OLPLQDWH ´ÀUHÀJKWLQJ µ 2QH ELJ FKDOOHQJH WRGD\ LV WKDW
VKRUW VXSSO\ DQG FUHDWH D QHHG WR LPSURYH HIÀFLHQF\ after the economic crisis in 2008, many companies have
effectiveness and lights-out operations. radically reduced their maintenance staff and have
&RQWDPLQDWLRQ LVVXHV 0DQ\ PHGLFDO RU KLJK HQG outsourced their moldmaking or mold-maintenance
electronic products are very sensitive to contamination operations. For many years, this did not seem to be a
through human handling or do not allow contamination SUREOHP HVSHFLDOO\ LQ WKH ÀUVW WZR \HDUV DIWHU WKH *UHDW
through particles (dust, liquids) or DNA. Recession hit, because business was down). After that,
the effects still did not impact day-to-day operations
3DUW TXDOLW\ 'HSHQGLQJ RQ WKH VHQVLWLYLW\ RI SDUWV³GXH drastically. Gradually, many companies came to accept
to delicate surface features, soft material, very thin
sections, and critical dimensions—any uncontrolled WKH ´ÀUHÀJKWLQJµ PRGH WKDW UHVXOWHG IURP WKHVH VWDII
shortages as the normal status of operation. For operating
interaction with humans can damage a part or a complex, high-speed automation system, this is a killer.
decrease its quality. More human handling means
more chances of quality defects. Don’t be scared. Implementing complex, high-speed
automation at a molder that has experienced only pick-
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inspect faster, and occupy less floor space than mostly unsuccessful approach. It is important that the
manual operations. Automation systems also do not molder contemplating an advanced automation project
QHHG EUHDN WLPH RU KDYH SHUIRUPDQFH ÁXFWXDWLRQV has been gradually exposed to automation from simple
comparable to human operators. Most inspection
to more complex, and is therefore developing a solid
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