Internet of Things(IoT) is making product development process seamless and more transparent. This technology enables plant managers and supervisors to review plant operations accurately, something really positive for everyone.

Thanks to technology, numerous opportunities that were never available just a decade ago are now available.

Productivity and efficiency is the focus of most plants and that is why advanced robotics and automation come into play. Automated processes and machines operate optimally and at the same time improves the working conditions in any facility. Robots are good in performing repeated tasks thus freeing humans to allow them perform other exciting duties. They are also useful in performing dangerous tasks.

Collaborative robots(cobots) are robots that work alongside people instead of out-rightly replacing them. This is synergistic when it comes to automation and optimization of the future factory floor.

However, as much as technology is promising and offers considerable advantages, you need to know some things before you deploy it in your plant or factory.

Start Small, Win Big

We all know that technology can be quite costly, more or less similar to making an equipment or machinery change. It requires time, money and a lot of human resources.

Starting small is always safer when it comes to implementing automation. The best choice of a process or step for automation is what is highly beneficial to everyone. This enables you and the workforce to get experience in working with the new equipment thus leading to optimal performance.   

When purchasing automation machinery, it mostly is not a complete product you can walk in a warehouse and pick. There is need to tailor your choice of equipment to the regular operation of your plant. This especially applies to automation of assembly-based machinery. Different pieces of assembly are ideal for different situations. This calls for thorough research prior to settling on any new piece of assembly equipment.

Plan to Grow

Upgrading an already existing facility requires a careful consideration of your boundaries unlike building a new facility. It is important to consider whether to change everything at once or replace the equipment piece by piece.

You need to consider future expansion as well. This does not mean leaving entire segments of your facility empty, but you should handle the issue of how and what to do when the time to expand comes.

You and your staff must always be ready to handle the multistage process that plant assembly is. This calls for planning ahead. Its important to identify the particulars of any hardware you might need, determine the price, and the activities that must be carried out in its deployment.

Carry Out Documentation

Preparing  thorough documentation for a whole system, machinery or custom assembly is not that enjoyable, but it is indeed a necessary evil. It becomes crucial if there is need to hand over the plant or equipment to another team. It also assists in future upgrading, amendment or repair.

Conclusion

Following the above discussed tips and guidelines when going for automation or advanced robotics will surely put you on top. This translates to a very successful deployment with fewer risks and obstacles. This can make your factory more efficient in the present as well as in the future.