FEATURE Supply chain, packaging & logistics
Innovating
Innovating away from
By Mikko Urho, CEO, Visual Components W
aste management is critical to mitigating the negative impact of human activities on our planet. The bad
news for manufacturing is that alongside construction, the sectors account for as much as 6.22 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year in the UK alone. From mistakes made in the production are many areas where manufacturers are unnecessarily wasteful. To improve the credentials of the sector, manufacturers have no time to waste in ensuring
Toward lean manufacturing For manufacturers to reduce the waste all starts with a mindset shift. Lean processes and higher consistency in all aspects of business operations. The concept continues to be used in the production of cars at Toyota, with the company focusing on making only what is needed, when it is needed and in the amount needed. Waste elimination is a basic principle
of lean manufacturing, and simulation software can play a vital role here. For example, by running an accurate 3D simulation of a planned component machining system, a manufacturer can devise whether robots and items are able individual task, whilst uncovering any bottlenecks in the process. It could be that there are some unnecessary pieces of equipment that can be removed if not needed. Not only does this eliminate surplus materials and equipment, but also the expense involved with purchasing them.
Keeping wastefulness to a minimum is also important in the context of time. There may be a number of AGVs on the heavy materials around the warehouse. Simulation software can help users devise them to follow so that materials reach their destination quicker, streamlining the production process.
Accurate and repeatable robot tasks Mistakes in the production process result in wasted materials, time and money. One cause of mistakes can be the incorrect programming of a welding, cutting or spraying robot so that it doesn’t perform its task correctly. For example, if it fails to move a welding torch in a circular 3D arc around a metal workpiece and instead path, it could lead to the material having to be discarded.
44 July/August 2024 | Automation
With robot offline programming (OLP), factory staff can create a highly accurate digital model of a particular robot and its work cell. Its movements and workflows are fully replicated via simulation. Users can validate the actions of a robot before it is put to work, refining the process to be highly accurate and eradicating any potential errors. With OLP, manufacturers can take advantage of the highly accurate and infinitely repeatable processes offered by robots, and drastically reduce the chance of mistakes, and therefore waste. Unnecessary waste can even be viewed in the context of workers themselves. If they need to travel to a factory every day of the week, they each incur a carbon footprint that is tied to the organisation’s actions. Remote access to simulation software gives them the opportunity to share detailed layout plans with factory-based colleagues from home.
Effective waste management Effective waste management has become essential as the manufacturing sector moves to mitigate its environmental footprint and enhance operational efficiencies.
Lean manufacturing, with its
core principle of waste elimination, empowers manufacturers to optimise their production processes. By incorporating advanced simulation software and OLP, manufacturers can refine their operations to be more precise and less wasteful, in terms of materials used, costs incurred and time spent.
As the collective effort towards sustainable practices gathers pace, manufacturers can leverage supporting technology to stay ahead of the curve.
automationmagazine.co.uk
away from wastefulness
wastefulness
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