Structuring your Advanced Manufacturing Team for robotics and industrial automation (4 of 5)

An Advanced Manufacturing Team (AMT) is dedicated to driving internal industrial automation initiatives across one or more manufacturing plants. Establishing an AMT has many benefits, including increased speed and agility in automation deployment, decreased CAPEX investment, enhanced core process knowledge, and upskilling of the workforce.

AMTs are a rising trend in industrial automation, driven by the embrace of do-it-yourself (DIY) automation and manufacturing automation platforms. With this technology, AMTs can fully complete each stage of a project, from design to operation, in the same intuitive and integrated environment.

This article provides guidance on structuring an AMT effectively for robotics and industrial automation. It is the fourth blog in the ‘Kickstarting Your Automation Journey’ series.

Assemble a cross-functional team

Bring together experienced personnel from various disciplines, such as mechanical engineering, design, industrial control, robotics, and project management. This cross-functional team will ensure a holistic approach to manufacturing automation projects, covering all aspects of design, automation, implementation, and maintenance. One member, often known as the “technical champion,” leads the team, imparting knowledge and establishing priorities.

Establish a clear project management framework

Develop a robust project management framework to streamline the integration process. This framework should include stages like requirements gathering, system design, testing, implementation, and post-installation support. To manage the project effectively, tools such as MachinePortal are great resources for AMTs to establish priorities, collaborate remotely, securely share files, and keep the manufacturing automation project on track.

Invest in simulation and testing capabilities

Incorporate advanced simulation tools and testing capabilities to validate a machine’s design prior to capex investment and physical implementation. The digital twin, created automatically within the Manufacturing Automation Platform (MAP), allows the AMT to simulate robot programs in the cloud and validate behavior in a virtual environment. Once the program is confirmed, seamlessly transition from the cloud to on-site deployment with just one click. This reduces deployment risks by identifying and resolving issues early.

Cultivate partnerships with robotics and automation vendors

Establish strong partnerships with leading vendors to access the latest technologies, training resources, and technical support. Vention offers AMTs incredible value with modular hardware, intuitive software, and an expert team to provide guidance and recommendations at each stage of the industrial automation journey.

Emphasize continuous training and skill development

Build core manufacturing process knowledge and create stronger career paths by bringing automation projects in-house. Tackling new challenges facilitates continuous learning and upskilling, providing invaluable experience for employees. Additionally, many robotics and automation vendors offer training to their clients. Consider scheduling a trip for your whole team to the Vention Experience Center in Montreal or Berlin, or explore the extensive Resource Library.

Develop standardized processes and documentation

Implement standardized processes and documentation for all manufacturing automation projects. This will ensure consistency, facilitate knowledge transfer, and enable seamless collaboration among team members. Common documentation that is important in any automation project is the completion of the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) checklist and the Site Acceptance Test (SAT) checklist. Both are performed at the end of the manufacturing process to verify that a product’s equipment or system is functioning properly and meets specifications.

Conclusion

By following these guidelines, you can establish a robust AMT to continually meet business needs without having to outsource every project. Over time, the AMT will result in the development of in-house process knowledge, a quicker return on investment, and faster lead times.

This is the fourth blog post in the ‘Kickstarting Your Automation Journey’ series. Read ‘A guide to kickstarting your industrial automation journey,’ ‘How to choose which manufacturing process to automate first,’ and ‘Five benefits of building an Advanced Manufacturing Team.’

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