Semi Automated or Fully Automated What System Is Right For You?

Semi Automated or Fully Automated – What System Is Right For You

QM Automated Solutions are leaders in the creation of innovative, leading edge bespoke assembly systems for all automated assembly processes.

When exploring automated systems for your process you may ask the question do I require fully or semi automation? With our experience we would be able to provide you with that answer,Â by understanding your processÂ and other factors related to you decision to explore automation.

What are the differences?

Semi Automated systems can include help from an operator for manual processes such as loading or onloading the system or having a the requirement for manual checks at every station. Semi-automated systems benefit companies that require improvements in their manufacturing process however are unable to completely remove operator assistance. Other reasons include aspects of the assembly being too difficult to automate or volumes of production do not fully justify a fully automated system.

Fully automated systems require little to no human input at all,Â fully automated systems are typically implemented, when companies are looking to increase production volumes and have a process/assembly that can be easily automated. With increased production they may be looking at a long term investment rather than opting to hire more laborers to support the increased production.

Examples of Semi Automated line

The Q-MaC 1 is a semi automated system that can be used for a variety of different applications, we have previously supplied machines for the automotive industry for the process of a gearbox build.

The Q-MAC 1 uses a heavy-duty rail, with each station using bearing carriages to carry components. The station is simply manually pushed along when production tasks are complete.

The rail can be mounted at working height, or at floor level, both using either a fixture or our G1 Gimbalator to hold your products.

When received in station, an operator will dock the station where automatic stops/clamps will receive the carriage and engage electrical and air connections.

The line can be controlled and monitored with itâ€™sÂ PLC, giving no-fault-forward control, incorporating RFID, poka-yoke and MES systems to provide full production oversight.

Examples of fully automated lines

The purpose of this bespoke automated system, is create a continuous assembly of medical curtains for one of the largest medical suppliers within the market. The video shownÂ focuses on the implementation of plastic hooks onto the material.

The system begins with hooks being fed onto an infeed conveyor belt usingÂ vibratory bowl feeders. The orientation of the hooks on the belt is detected via aÂ vision system, with this information being fed to the picking robots found further down the line. Both robots pick up a hook and place it into the tooling mounted on to one of 4 rotary tables. The rotary table indexes underneath the curtain that is being continuously fed through the cell, and using an ultrasonic welding system, is welded onto the material. Once welded, the curtain continues down the system to the next phase.

This machine is controlled by aÂ interface with a 12 inch HMI to allow the operator to have full control of the system. While this showcases another of our innovative solutions for the Medical industry, it also gives provides a scope to some of the larger more intricate solutions we can design and build.