I simply wrapped up a manufacturing facility acceptance take a look at (FAT) in Spain with a world participant within the private care and client items trade. It was clean—so clean, in reality, that their workforce needed to rebook flights residence as a result of we completed forward of schedule.
Now, I do know what you’re pondering: if it was that straightforward, it in all probability wasn’t thrilling. And technically, you’re proper. This undertaking wasn’t difficult from an engineering standpoint. However from a deployment and long-term technique perspective? It was spot-on.
Right here’s why beginning easy was precisely the fitting transfer, each for them and for us.
Low complexity, excessive alternative
This was the primary robotic deployed of their whole group. It’s a low-speed, low-stack palletizing utility: about three containers per minute, inflexible cardboard, straightforward format. For my technical facet, nothing to get fired up about.
However from a enterprise standpoint, this can be a launchpad. We’re speaking a few international group with a number of factories throughout Europe. This primary set up is a take a look at case. If it goes nicely, we’re repeat deployments in websites with larger velocity necessities, tighter footprints, and totally different security constraints.
So sure, it’s easy. But it surely’s additionally the important thing to scaling automation throughout their community.
A lean robotics strategy from day one
This buyer had some consciousness of Lean Robotics already, which made the dialog even smoother. Collectively, we agreed: let’s begin small, deploy quick, and reduce danger.
The undertaking suits completely within the “inexperienced zone”—low danger, low complexity, and excessive worth. That allowed us to:
- keep away from safeguards (an enormous tradition shift for them)
- keep the prevailing format
- scale back friction through the deployment
All the pieces on this first part was about constructing belief and exhibiting what’s doable when automation is finished proper.
Easy doesn’t suggest challenge-free
Though the robotic utility itself was simple, we nonetheless needed to navigate lots of complexity—simply of a special variety. When working with a big, international firm, you’re not simply fixing for automation. You’re fixing for change.
We needed to have interaction with stakeholders from IT, security, upkeep, and procurement. Everybody had totally different targets, KPIs, and views. One individual can greenlight the applying, but when the security lead isn’t on boa (or the manufacturing facility operator spots a problem late within the recreation) issues decelerate quick.
We managed it nicely, however I’ll say this: the sooner you may meet these stakeholders, the higher. A few of the suggestions we obtained throughout FAT (like field orientation changes) got here from native operators who understood the method higher than anybody. These insights have been essential, and would’ve been much more helpful earlier on.
Why flexibility issues
As a result of we used Robotiq’s commonplace palletizing answer, we might adapt actually shortly.
Throughout FAT, they requested for 4 or 5 adjustments. Field orientation. Velocity changes. A tweak in drive. Every change took 5 minutes or much less. No rewriting code. No delays. We stayed on observe and accomplished the complete FAT in someday.
Their workforce advised us this was the smoothest FAT they’ve ever executed. That’s not only a win for us—it’s a powerful sign that standardization and ease go hand in hand while you’re laying the inspiration for broader automation.
What’s subsequent?
This was simply the 1st step. Extra complicated websites coming: some that require velocity, others that demand extra superior security setups. However that’s the place our modular, brand-agnostic platform actually shines.
We will help collaborative purposes like this one and scale as much as higher-speed, extra demanding strains—all whereas conserving the identical software program atmosphere and core elements. That consistency is precisely what clients want after they’re planning multi-site rollouts.
Closing ideas
Should you’re dealing with resistance to automation, whether or not it’s from security groups, IT, or operators who’ve been doing issues the identical approach for many years, begin easy. Allow them to see the robotic in motion. Allow them to really feel how straightforward it’s to adapt. That’s how you modify minds and shift tradition.
This undertaking jogged my memory that “straightforward” on paper doesn’t all the time imply “straightforward” in actual life. However when the tech is versatile and the workforce is aligned, it actually will be.
Need to see in case your undertaking suits the “inexperienced zone”?
Strive our Palletizing Match Device to establish low-risk, high-reward automation alternatives.
