TWI Manufacturing Support Group Case Study

Increasing Robot Cell Utilisation

Background

• Emform had acquired a robot cell which was under used since the ending of a particular contract. They wanted to increase its use in the welding of busbar systems manufactured for the power generation and distribution industries

Objective

• To identify production work that the robot cell could undertake and suggest steps to achieve greater use of the facility

Approach

• Review cell capability and useage
• Assess suitability of products for robot welding
• Recommend components and methods to increase useage

Benefits

• Identification of components which could be robot welded
• Clarification of staff needs for effective robot use
• Identification of a need for further robot programming skills
• Improved liaison with robot supplier

Conclusion

• Robot utilisation increased as a result of increased knowledge of capabilities, improved communication, appropriate manning and training