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Pros of Automation

Pros of Automation

Thanks to the advancements in technology, many labor-intensive tasks are now being automated. As management searches for ways to improve their business’s efficiency and productivity, conversations continually circle back to automation.

Some of the most frequently asked questions we receive regarding integrating automation into workflows are: Where can I automate? What benefit should I expect to see? How much will it cost? and what other applications would benefit the most?

Among the multitude of benefits, businesses that incorporate automation can expect to minimize or eliminate the most time-consuming and repetitive tasks and will allow their workforce to focus on other important matters.

Two other key benefits include increased safety and reliability in output. Manual processes are prone to some margin of error, regardless of how skilled a person is at their craft, automating even small portions of the process can significantly decrease the probability of human error and provide more consistent outputs. Having automation present removes other risks associated with many jobs (i.e. heavy lifting, chemical exposure, etc.), thus decreasing workplace injuries and increasing the potential for employee longevity.

Optimal applications for automation seem to be endless because there are so many options between robots and tooling.

While discussing self-centering vises and chucks with one of our long-time distributors, Powerhold, we concluded they are excellent for raw material, and forgings or casting applications. William Spooner, Powerhold VP continued to say…

“Using a self-centering chuck can ensure that there will be full clean-up when machining first operation workpieces. Especially if your part has cast features like holes, slots, blind holes, or other shapes. Non-self-centering solutions will not accommodate for any variance in material thickness.” Lastly, he included some specific benefits that can be seen when using either of these tools. “Power-operated vises/chucks create a repeatable and reliable process. We often see manual vises tightened down relative to the operator’s strength.  Overtightening can create distortion or lift in the part (causing out-of-tolerance workpieces). While under tightening the part might cause a safety issue or a poor finish on the part due to vibration.”

 

To fully analyze your operation and determine the best way solution, please stop by the Applied Robotics (#431593) and Powerhold booths at IMTS (#432039) or email us at info@appliedrobotics.com