The subject of automation isn’t new to the industrial processing industry, but the ongoing pandemic and subsequent challenges have pushed it to the forefront of even more processors’ minds.
Merriam-Webster defines automation as “the technique of making an apparatus, process or system operate automatically.” Which means that while many associate automation mainly with robots, it’s really much, much more.
In addition, many processors might not be aware of all the benefits of automation. While many just focus on labor shortages and how automating processes can help with that, there are actually more positive results organizations can take advantage of.
Read on to see four of the biggest benefits companies could enjoy by automating their processes.
Overcome Labor Shortages
Many companies continue struggling to recruit and retain quality craftspeople for their facilities. Of course, not having enough workers can, and likely will, negatively affect productivity.
By automating their processes with robotics or machines that require less hands-on labor, organizations can help ensure product is still getting produced even when labor is hard to find. In addition, because quality help is difficult to retain, companies can automate repetitive processes and then move workers to more value-added positions within the organization. That way, they can move their skilled labor to areas that would maximize their skills and leave the dirty work for a robot or automation process.
Improve Worker Safety
For some organizations, a bigger issue is keeping workers safe in positions that pose a risk to them. Everything from accidents due to tough working conditions to overexertion and burnouts can hinder an organization’s productivity.
Automation can help by reducing human labor needs in certain areas. With robotics, machines or new processes in place, organizations can move their workers out of these danger zones and install them in safer, more value-added positions elsewhere.
Keeping workers safe is always important for an organization’s productivity, even more in times when quality labor is hard to come by anyway.
Ensure Quality
Repeatability is paramount to ensuring every part and product is produced to exact specifications over and over again.
Unfortunately, human error can hinder quality. Automating the process, though, can help ensure repeatability and mitigate human error. In other words, by properly automating processes, organizations can often reduce the chance of mistakes and bad parts by increasing repeatability and quality.
Increase Efficiency & Throughput
Humans get sick. They need breaks. And their efficiency and productivity is affected by a number of factors that are often beyond anyone’s control.
Robots and machines don’t, though. Therefore, organizations can combat the downtime that happens when workers can’t work by automating their processes. Some industrial processors have gone so far as to create a “lights out” facility, which means the facility can essentially operate with no human presence. This is one of the most extreme options and could be out of most organization’s possibilities to start, but it is possible.
Even for those who can’t or won’t go fully automated, updating and automating parts of the line can reap huge benefits for the company in regard to efficiencies and throughput.
EnSight can help organizations automate processes to overcome labor shortages, improve worker safety, ensure quality and enhance efficiency and throughput. From the coil through the entire line, our experienced team can analyze your processes and advise your team of areas for improvement.
Still on the fence about whether automation is worth the investment? We can help determine that, too, by walking your team through the ROI and other benefits of automation.
To learn more about the benefits of automation and how EnSight can help you improve your processes, contact our industrial processing specialists now.
