We live in demanding times. We manufacture in demanding times. Customers - B2B or end-users - want Wnothing less than the best of qualities at competitive pricing. While ‘people' are the biggest strength for any organisation, one major flaw that can upset any manufacturing brand's quality quest is ‘human error'. Quality cannot be a one time achievement; neither can it keep changing. So if a company wants consistency, continuity and certainty with regards to quality both in its manufacturing processes and the final product then automation is the clear answer.
Better processes, better quality
The use of proper automation solutions can result in better manufacturing processes and better quality. Agrees Hussain Shariyarr, Sr. VP - Operations, Godrej Appliances, Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. He says "Manual operations require a lot of skill, training and practice to ensure the correct way to perform the operation. Whereas automations help achieve precision consistently. Each process contains Value Added Activities and Non Value Added activities. Automation should be looked at to eliminate the Non-value added activities, if not eliminate, at least minimise." Apparao Mallavarapu, Chairman and MD, Centum Electronics points out that automation brings in consistency, scalability and quality and with the advancement in the area of robotic technology which unleashes unlimited possibilities of automating traditional processes giving an edge over the competition in the industry.
Manoj Vachhani, Chief Information Officer, Varroc Group, says that IoT enabled technologies like Industry 4.0 adoption and robotic automation will help manufacturers have full visibility of their operations and allow them to be responsive to information about inventory, raw material, customer demands and quality ensuring that opportunities for improvement are
highlighted and action is taken.
"It will help manufacturers save money and time and help them in improving product quality, customer satisfaction and supplier relations. Use of proper automation solutions will prepare Indian manufacturers for more competition and equip them with the necessary pace and efficiency. With increasing consumer demands, legislation and competitiveness in the domestic market, one with proper automation solutions stand to win," he says. Shariyarr emphasises that the approach of automation needs to be eliminating wastes and achieving productivity while reducing costs associated with wasted labour, rejection and rework and thus improving manufacturing processes and achieving desired quality. "Non-value added activities are nothing but the wastes that exist in the process. There are 7 types of waste-1.Over production, 2.Movement loss, 3. Excess or less inventory, 4.Process itself, 5.Waiting, 6.Defects/rejection, 7.Motion loss."
Sameer Gandhi, MD, Omron Automation, India, believes that industrial automation is like an ‘essential nutrient' or the ‘life-force' of a manufacturing establishment. "Every manufacturing set-up strives to become more intelligent, more efficient, safer, swifter, etc. as it evolves from a small scale to a medium scale to a large enterprise. Automation is the life force that makes it possible. It helps the manufacturers develop better machines — machines that are functionally innovative to deliver exceptional benefits to their customers in myriad aspects such as quality, productivity, efficiency, accuracy, safety, energy saving, durability, and above all the tasks which are beyond human capabilities.
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