▲ ACCRETECH - Tokyo Seimitsu: Proposal of automation and labor-saving solutions
In Thailand, as we all know, an increasing number of companies are wishing to convert their factories to FA (factory automation) due to soaring labor costs. However, in Thailand, there are more needs for "labor-saving" than "unmanned," and this accounts for more than 90% of the total.
One of the reasons why people do not want to go unmanned is because it requires a large budget for the initial investment in robots and transport equipment. As human-wave tactics are reaching their limits, efficient labor-savings is possible even with a small capital investment, such as the change in process that required five workers can be completed with three people with automation to save labor.
Accretech (Thailand), a manufacturer of precision measuring instruments, has a very simple proposal for labor-savings. Please see the followings for its introduction.
Proposal for labor-savings that fits within the budget of each company
Labor-savings within a limited budget requires experience and knowledge. Our experienced staff will listen to your wishes and make various proposals according to your budget.
(1) Automatic acquisition of measurement data by installing software
For example, in many factories, measurement results are handwritten in notebooks or manually entered into Excel, which naturally may lead to writing and input errors. For customers using Accretech's precision measuring instruments, we recommend the use of “TESCHART Plus”, which enables easy data management.
TESCHART Plus is a software that can import measurement results into Excel and automatically create inspection reports using the customer's existing format.
TESCHART Plus has a DB function (standard) that allows you to easily search and refer to past measurement results, and a Web function (optional) that allows you to view inspection reports on a Web browser of another PC connected to a LAN.
(2) Automatic measurement of multiple workpieces by installing a CNC table and XY axis automatic stage
▲ Example of combining Y-axis CNC table (100 mm) and Θ-axis CNC table (horizontal)
By adding a CNC table unit and an X-axis Y-axis automatic stage to the standard measuring system of roughness/shape measuring instruments, continuous measurement of multiple workpieces is possible.
By combining the Y-axis CNC table and the rotary table (Θ-axis CNC table), the system construction according to the workpiece can be freely customized.
When multiple workpieces are set on the table and left unattended, measurement is completed automatically, allowing one operator to handle multiple machines.
▲ Installation example on XY axis automatic stage (option for RONDCOM NEX series) and RONDCOM NEX Rs
The optional XY-axis automatic stage of the roundness measuring instrument can continuously measure multiple workpieces and multiple locations without setup changes.
It eliminates the need for manual setup change, reducing the measurement time and saving manpower. In addition, different evaluation items "for multiple units" and "at once" can be automatically acquired for roundness and cylindricity, as well as surface roughness and lead-twist when installed on the RONDCOM NEX Rs/NEX Rs series.
(3) Automation by coordinate measuring machine + robot
▲ Example of automatic measurement system using a robot
The image of FA is automation with implementation of robots, but we can build a system using industrial robots specified by our customers.
Best suggestions for customers who don't know what to automate
In Thailand, there are many analog measuring instruments in circulation, but the ratio of CNC measuring instruments is gradually increasing. We would like to propose CNC measuring instruments to companies that are still mainly doing manual measurement.
Many customers do not have a concrete image of how to make the environment of their own factory convenient.
We are proactively proposing the above labor-saving measures so that our customers in Thailand will recognize that not only factory lines can be automated, but also labor-saving and automation in the inspection room can be done.