What Is Assembly Automation?

Assembly automation refers to the integration of advanced technology—such as automated guide vehicles, robotic arms, and sensors—in assembly operations. These solutions enable companies across a wide range of industries to increase manufacturing speed and/or quality while providing other valuable benefits, such as increased worker safety and improved repeatability.

What Is the ROI of Assembly Automation?

Assembly robots and other automation technology benefit manufacturing companies in many ways, such as:

  • Expanded output capacity
  • Improved product quality
  • Enhanced worker safety
  • Increased precision and accuracy
  • Decreased production costs

All of these benefits can affect the return on investment (ROI) for the technology, which is a factor that should be carefully considered before deciding to purchase it.

Return on investment is a performance measurement used to indicate the amount of return an investment provides relative to its cost. In the simplest terms, it can be calculated by dividing the net return on the investment (i.e., the gains/savings – investment cost) by the investment cost. However, there are numerous costs and returns figures that should be taken into account when making such calculations. Regarding assembly automation technology, they can include savings on labor, productivity, rework costs, and materials and gains concerning improvements to product quality, space utilization, output, and injury numbers. It is essential to keep all of these in mind when calculating ROI to ensure you fully understand the benefits and costs of investing in an industrial automation solution.

Industries We Help Automate

At Advanced Manufacturing Development (AMD), we design and build custom automated manufacturing systems for various industries and applications, including, but not limited to, the following:

Automotive and Auto Parts

Automotive companies rely on automated assembly lines to manufacture a variety of components, such as fuel systems, gearboxes, motors, and pumps. They help establish efficient and ergonomic production lines that offer fast manufacturing speeds without creating hazardous conditions for human workers.

Appliances

Many appliance manufacturers have integrated robotic technology into their assembly lines due to its excellent performance in highly repetitive operations. It can apply adhesives, assemble parts, and more with both speed and precision.

Consumer Goods

Automation technology can be used for various operations in the consumer goods industry, such as assembly, welding, and material handling. The solutions available at AMD include feeding systems, palletizing and depalletizing systems, riveting and screwdriving systems, and pick and place systems.

Our Automated Solutions

AMD is committed to providing automated solutions that help customers improve their processes and products. Our offerings include:

  • Leak Detection
    In manufacturing, a critical step of the quality process is detecting defects that could result in leaks. Components or hermetic products that are designed to hold liquids or gases up to a specified limit without leaking need to be free of any cracks, permeable areas, or inadequate seals. Leak detection systems can be integrated into the production line or used to test products after they have been produced.

    We offer a number of methods for connecting leak detection systems to other production equipment, including fully or semi-automatic systems to manual/batch systems. Regardless of industry or application, we have an integrated testing solution to meet all of your requirements.

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  • Test Systems
    Automated test systems consist of hardware and software components that automate the hardware testing process for the product being tested. The test system can be used in several ways, including validating the product during the design stage or verifying the product during the manufacturing stage.

    We offer various levels of automation implementation depending on your production volume, safety concerns, and product costs. We will tailor your test system to your exact specifications and standards, ensuring it will integrate perfectly with existing production or test lines

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  • Assembly
    Assembly automation involves using plant design engineering in conjunction with software, digitized data, and robotics. It enables companies to decrease manual labor requirements while increasing efficiency, output, and safety. Recent developments in the technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine vision, have allowed assembly operations to be more efficient and flexible than ever before.

    The experts at AMD provide machines that have been completely customized for the exact specifications of each customer. We work closely with our assembly component suppliers to ensure we are applying the component correctly.

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  • Welding
    Welding automation can be classified into two main categories: fully automatic and semi-automatic.
    • Fully automatic weldingsystems consist of a single or series of custom machine(s). The machine(s) load(s) the workpiece, index(es) the torch or part into position, and perform(s) the weld. The machine(s) then check(s) the quality of the new joint and then unload(s) the finished product. Additional capabilities can also be programmed into the machines, such as part in place and final product quality checks. Depending on the specific operation being performed, a machine operator may be necessary for fully automatic welding.
    • Semi-automatic welding systemsrequire an operator to manually load parts into a welding fixture. A weld controller keeps the welding process, torch motion, and part stillness to preset parameters. After the weld is completed, the operator must remove the completed component before the process can begin again.

    All of the welding solutions at AMD are designed and built according to customer requirements. We match the solutions to the needs of each business. If you’re not sure which type of solution would work best, we can provide weld process recommendations that will optimize productivity and improve reliability.

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  • Marking and Traceability
    Marking is a vital step in the manufacture of many parts and products. By adding unique markings and other important information to manufactured goods, companies facilitate quality assurance, product traceability, and regulatory compliance, all of which are important to improving processes and protecting brand reputation. The use of automated marking systems helps increase marking speed, resulting in better productivity and profitability for the manufacturer.

    Equipped with extensive experience in track, trace, and control, AMD can provide robust marking systems for manufacturers in a wide range of industries, including:
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Biomedical
    • Consumer goods
    • Food and beverage
    • Pharmaceutical
    • Software and technology


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  • Robotic Cells
    A robotic cell—sometimes referred to as a robotized cell or robot cell—is a set of machines within an automatic work cell that includes one or more programmable robots. The robots optimize production modules by increasing production speed and simplicity and offer highly repeatable product quality.

    The AMD experts design and create personalized robotic cells for a variety of customer applications. The systems help improve performance while optimizing costs.

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Contact the Automated Solution Experts at AMD Today

At AMD, we specialize in creating cutting-edge manufacturing for our customers. Designed and built to the highest standards of quality, design, and functionality, they help improve safety, reliability, and profitability. To learn more about our automated solutions and how they can benefit you, contact us today.