The Benefits of Automation in Assembly Lines

Your organization’s manufacturing and assembly processes are two of the most defining elements of how profitable your organization can be. Manual assembly, in-house assembly, and outsourced or automated assembly are all different approaches, but the development of cutting-edge automated assembly systems promises greater capabilities and profitability for organizations across every industry. Learn more about what automated assembly is and the benefits it can offer your business.

What Is Automated Assembly?

Assembly processes, in general, take different components and use them to create a complete, more complex end product by packaging, fastening, or otherwise combining parts in a specific way. Historically, these processes have been completed manually. They could take the form of assembly lines or process stations where assemblers either focused on one portion of the assembly process or completed assemblies and subassemblies in their entirety.

Modern-day automation technology is transforming these processes with options like:

• Robotics that can pick, place, and assemble goods
• Conveyance systems that route in-progress goods between process stations from start to finish
• Vision tools that can constantly track goods, monitor the process for problems or slowdowns, and provide a greater volume of data for quality control

Automated assembly processes can also come in a wide range of options, such as lean automation, which prioritizes reducing business waste before finalizing the automation process itself. Two other common styles of automation include flexible automation, powered by programmable systems that can produce product variations or different product types, and hard automation, which is fixed and only produces one type of product (typically at high volumes).

Benefits of Automated Assembly

Automated business processes bring a host of benefits, including reduced costs, reduced waste, and increased data connectivity. Some of the specific advantages of using automated assembly lines include the following:

• Consistent Throughput and Output: Automation provides consistency. The assembly steps are followed without any risk of human error, resulting in higher quality control and less variance in output in every batch.
• Enhanced Tracking Capabilities: Because automated assembly manufacturing systems use vision tools and data to track the movement of goods throughout the assembly process, each assembly system increases your tracking capabilities. You can trace a single part, troubleshoot potential errors, and provide more detailed production histories for every product.
• Greater Capacity: Automation processes can work 24/7 without slowing down or getting tired. They can also move increasingly faster than human workers. As a result, your production capabilities increase.
• Reliability: Automated assembly line processes are much less vulnerable to human errors and mistakes. Even complex assembly processes can be performed more reliably.
• Quality: Precision leads to increased quality. There will be much less risk of variability, improperly fastened parts, or missed steps. Not only are robotic systems less capable of making these errors, but increased tracking capabilities can also note any errors and alert the centralized control system or operator.
• Savings: Human labor is one of the biggest costs for production and assembly. Not only do human workers need to be paid wages, but auxiliary costs also include training, turnover, insurance coverage, and increased product waste due to mistakes. Robotic systems do not incur these costs.

Choose Automated Assembly Processes With Source International

Automated manufacturing offers faster, more reliable, and more cost-effective assembly processes for any business. At Source International, we partner with organizations to provide the right automated assembly line configurations to streamline your product assembly processes and increase your profitability. Reach out today to get started or to request a quote.