Should an advanced automation solution be applied to solve an advanced manufacturing problem?
No, that is probably a recipe for failure, according to Mike Garner, president of manufacturing technology supplier Phillips Commercial (part of Phillips Corporation).
Garner and his organization often guide CNC machining users in implementing automation, particularly robots. He shares some of his advice for success with automation in the video below.
Look to the machined parts and machining procedures that are well understood, that are part of the everyday work, he says. In other words, look to the simple parts for automation applications. Machine shops tend to overlook these opportunities because these problems seem to be “solved.” In fact, automation can often allow these simple jobs to be run at increased output or lower cost compared to what the shop accepts today.
By contrast, complex machining challenges that have not yet been mastered are unlikely to run more successfully with the addition of automation. The better choice is this, he says: Let automation for simple work set more human attention and ingenuity free to address the work that is challenging.
Garner talks about robot strategy in this video: