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SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS
ROBOTIC AUTOMATION CAN STRENGTHEN THE AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY CHAIN
has since recovered to a large extent, but the aftermath of the pandemic can still be felt strongly in industries such as automotive, which relies on a complex global network of third-party suppliers to maintain the flow of components into the manufacturing process. According to figures recently published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), there was a six per cent decline in UK car production in September 2022, with 63,125 models rolling off factory lines. The drop followed four months of growth, but SMMT noted that output was again being restricted by ‘severe supply chain issues’. Fast forward to 2023 and the risk of similar
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supply chain disruptions persists. Such risks have given manufacturers even more reasons to support local supply chains, which can provide them with faster and more secure access to the many components needed in vehicle assembly operations. There is already an established ecosystem that sees the UK automotive supply chain generate around £4.5-£5bn of added value to the economy each year. According to the SMMT, around 2,350 companies identify themselves as suppliers to automotive companies, with around 25 per cent describing themselves as Tier One. Being a Tier One supplier is a prestigious position, but it is also a demanding one. As the final feed-in for assembled components to the
hink back to 2021 and the phrase ‘supply chain disruption’ was the main talking point of every news outlet, thanks to the impact of pandemic-related shutdowns and travel restrictions. Global trade
main automotive OEMs, Tier One suppliers have virtually no room for error in their processes. Whether they are supplying a body panel, drive- train assembly, car seat or even a metal bracket, each Tier One supplier must ensure they deliver their product on time, in the right quantity and to the right specification. Robotic automation is already widely used
by automotive OEMs to take on a range of tasks, such as assembly, painting, and handling. Following their lead, automotive suppliers are also turning increasingly to robots to improve productivity. In addition, investing in robotic automation boosts the security of supply by making it more cost- efficient to on- or near-shore even more links in the supply chain. This can help to mitigate supply chain uncertainty, while reduced transport mileage also helps to make the entire value chain more eco-friendly.
MORE RELIABILITY Today’s robots offer high production up-time, slashing the risk of disruption owing to failure. Developments in diagnostics such as ABB’s
Remote Service technology mean it is now much easier for operators to identify and pinpoint potential problems before they can escalate. This is especially helpful in the kind of interlinked production processes characteristic of companies operating as part of a Just-In-Time supply chain, reducing the risk of stoppages that could cause disruption and delay further down the line.
CONSISTENT QUALITY Developments in vision technology have unlocked new possibilities in offline product
26 SEPTEMBER 2023 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
As automotive manufacturers continue to work towards the transition to electric vehicles, they cannot afford to let supply chain disruptions and other challenges knock them off course. Julian Ware, UK & Ireland sales manager for ABB Robotics explains how robots can help.
inspection. For example, the 3D vision offline quality and metrology cell (3DQI off-line) from ABB offers a faster, more dynamic technology than traditional CMM (Coordinated Measuring Machine) based methods. Up to 10 times faster than CMM systems, the 3DQI off-line quality and metrology cell can detect defects of less than half the width of a human hair and imperceptible to the naked eye. This solution eliminates the need for time consuming manual inspection, while substantially reducing the likelihood of faults and errors. It combines the dual benefits of increasing productivity and reducing costs by minimising the risk of defects that could lead to product recalls.
ACCURATE ASSEMBLY Until recently, it was difficult to automate assembly tasks in lines where there is
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