How Robotic Automation is Improving the Process of Molding
Posted by Zoe Geoffrion , on Apr, 2018
There is a common misconception that introducing robotics and automation to the processes of manufacturing has taken something away from the production of today’s goods. When it comes to molding automation, nothing could be further from the truth! The addition of automation to the molding process has benefited the industry in ways that are almost too numerous to name – but here are just a few of them:
Enhanced Efficiency
In manufacturing, human labor has become something of a rarity. This is because humans need to take breaks. They become bored or frustrated by repetitive motions. They cannot perform precise, intricate tasks repeatedly over a long period without variation.
None of this is true of robotics. Manufacturing automation using machinery creates an environment where motions necessary for production can be performed over and over without a single variation. This means that production can continue without a lapse in quality or level of output, regardless of almost any outside circumstance. In the world of molding, this is crucial. You won’t have to worry about inconsistency or wavering quality when robots are handling the molding instead of human hands!
Precise Production
Some might argue that a machine can never perform at the level of a human manufacturing laborer. However, today’s robotics have been enhanced with smart technology that allows them to do things like:
- Discern different parts from one another on sight.
- Sort parts and components quickly for effective production.
- Work with multiple types of materials and tell each of the others correctly.
- Tell when fixtures are not in good condition for inserting into a mold, or when layers of an insert mold aren’t holding together properly. (These can then be knocked out of the production line automatically, with no lapse in time.)
With these and further advancements being added every year, there is little that automation can’t do for the field of molding.
If you’re looking for molding solutions for your products – or want to learn more about molding automation, contact a local plastics manufacturer for more information. You’ll be surprised just how much easier robotics will make your production process!
