5 Reasons Why You're Failing at Automation

Automating your company is a complex operation, but with the right tools and mindset, you can develop a robotic production line that boosts your efficiency and revenue. 

As Industry 4.0 takes off, companies without automation will fall behind. Even small- to medium-sized businesses are taking advantage of robotic systems to enhance their manufacturing processes. 

Automation should be implemented with care, however. If you simply add robots and industrial equipment to your facility without taking the necessary steps to integrate them, you’ll end up with expensive equipment that isn’t helping your business. 

NRTC Automation lists the top 5 reasons why you might be failing at automating your business and how you can take action for successful automation. 

5 Reasons Why You’re Failing at Automation 

Check out these reasons that can cause automated lines to fail. If you match one or more of these scenarios, you may want to consider reassessing your strategy to automate your company. 

1. End goals aren’t clear.

Knowing the end goal in your intention to automate is necessary to have a functional robotic production line. Are you automating just to stay on par with similar companies in your industry? If so, that will lead to a lack of foresight needed to know what needs to be automated (and what doesn’t!). 

These are some questions that relate to clear, actionable goals that necessitate automating: 

• Do you want to cut down on time and reduce production waste? 

• Are there tasks in your business that are highly repetitive and would benefit by adding a robot, thus reducing human error? 

• Do you want to standardize your production process? 

By taking the time to consider why you want to automate in the first place, you can understand what parts of the production process needed to be automated and how it will integrate into your workplace. 

2. Not enough human labor is incorporated in your production line.

Humans are integral to automation. When we work with automation, we can learn what is or isn’t working and improve our processes. 

Automation is excellent for businesses because it produces data on your manufacturing process. You can find out where energy is being wasted, which tasks are time dumps, and more. 

Have an employee or a team that checks on the status of your automation and data. They can come up with ideas that can save you time and money as your company grows. 

3. The production line is incomplete.

You don’t need a production line solely worked by robots in order to have a successful automated business. You do need a production line that is airtight and doesn’t have any gaps that may cause downtime or buildup. 

Streamlining is the name of the business. When you automate, you should have a smooth production flow that has a step for every part of the process. Take the time to observe your production line in action and note what could be improved; ideally, look at the data from reason #2 and find out where you can make adjustments. 

4. Knowledge about automation is lacking.

Automation is not limited to robots. When you automate your company, there are servo drives, pedestals, end-of-arm-tools, circuit breakers and circuit protection, productivity displays, and so many other components to industrial production that you must account for. 

Each piece of equipment benefits the production line in a different way. Most of this equipment is necessary for the production line to function properly. 

If you want to automate your business successfully, then getting educated on robotics and industrial equipment is a good way to start. Learn about the anatomy of an automated production line, or read more about the connection between servo drives and motors. 

Every bit of knowledge will help you make better decisions when adding industrial automation to your manufacturing process. 

5. Teams are not on the same page regarding automation tasks. 

Last but not least, you might be failing at automation if your team doesn’t understand how it works. 

When everyone understands the effort to automate and knows how their job relates to the robot in the production room, then automation can become a collaborative effort. 

Working together to have a cohesive automated company will not only increase your chances of having a productive and efficient automated line, but it will also boost company morale and improve your work environment. 

Bring everyone together for monthly lunches and update the team on the latest automated processes to fully integrate robotics into your company. 

Automation doesn’t have to be difficult. 

As industrial automation becomes more mainstream and technologies advance, the ability to automate your business gets easier. Plus, you have resources like NRTC Automation to help you build and improve your automation process so you can be successful from the beginning. 

NRTC AUTOMATION WILL WORK WITH YOU TO AUTOMATE YOUR COMPANY. 

Automating your business will allow you to be more efficient, reduce your production waste, and increase your revenue. Work with NRTC Automation, a trusted partner of top auto manufacturers around the world, to automate your company. 

NRTC offers turnkey solutions such as building, designing, and engineering customized work cells that will seamlessly fit into your production line. We also train companies in robotics, repair industrial equipment with professional technicians, manufacture service parts, and more. 

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you automate your business.