The landscape of manufacturing has always been fluid. However, with advancements in technology (Industry 4.0) and a global pandemic, business survival rests solely on the ability to flourish through change management and unexpected circumstances.
Despite these opportunities, consumers are demanding the next new thing as quick as they can post or pin. Atlas Copco is committed to providing solutions that can overcome these challenges.
When it comes to producing assembly lines for new products, considerations for the future are very much a part of the scope. The conventional engine line lifespan ran production for about a decade with optimizations throughout the course of the line. Customer demand, along with changes in technology, have limited this with the need to run multiple variations down the line to maintain throughput based on uncertainty in demand.
How We Can Help
Atlas Copco’s modular approach to assembly tools allows customers to maximize tooling capabilities as they reduce additional capital. Our Industrial Location Guidance (ILG) gives customers the chance to take error-proofing to the next level. A basic tooling system with a reaction device can be outfitted, and encoders and embedded software can add four dimensions to your OK results. This add-on system will provide the X, Y, Z location values to confirm that the right torque was achieved at the proper time in the process. ILG also allows for new product variations to have unique parts and bolts that the system will recognize and report.
The Digital Twin and Time Study Software is advancing our ability to ensure that manufacturing is lean and ergonomic. As manufacturing lines are being built, they are concurrently being optimized, which is somewhat paradoxical. Positions of ergonomic aides or even the location of a tool on the line can change multiple times, even before the first part is tested down the line.
Atlas Copco’s Power Focus Ecosystem tethers tools and their unique functionalities to the controllers electronically, enabling digital tool reprocessing. To put it simply, tools can move and connect through Virtual Stations from one controller to another without needing to add network drops or additional power. If there is a controller in the station, there is an opportunity to move tools and/or functions as the line is being finalized.
Risk mitigation with Atlas Copco
In many cases, the final design of the assembly line is not known when new lines are being designed. This challenge of using past information in hopes that it will meet new product specifications is difficult and comes with risk. Production equipment designers have concerns regarding accessibility to fasteners and fastening strategies that could potentially render their solution not feasible. These unknowns impact not only the station they are designing, but the surrounding stations as well.
Versatility in torque tool and socket design can help reduce this risk. Small angle heads on tools with wide torque ranges assist in risk mitigation. In other words, Atlas Copco allows you to ‘oversize’ the tool without getting an oversized tool. In conjunction with our Saltus sockets, this will help drive any fastener.
To sum it up
As manufacturing evolves, it is key to have partnerships that can help you find the best solution that delivers with the efficiency and quality needed for customer demand. Reach out to your local Sales representative today to learn more about solutions to these manufacturing opportunities!