Considerations when buying a powder coating oven
For businesses operating in sectors like automotive and manufacturing, the prospect of establishing an in-house powder coating facility presents a compelling opportunity.
When it comes to automation and robotics, there are numerous subtle differences between the two. Despite the fact that many presume they are one and the same, automation and robotics offer different advantages to an organisation and its processes.
This blog is going to look at both automation and robotics, and how they can benefit you. We’ll also look at robotics in manufacturing and how it has benefitted the industry. Take a look!
First, we’ll look at defining automation. What does automation mean? How and why are countless organisations across the world using automation?
Automation (here we can use the specific term ‘industrial automation’), refers to a whole field of computers, systems and information technologies which handle processes automatically. In manufacturing and other production processes, automation allows tasks to be performed quickly, accurately, and without error.
Automation truly revolutionised car manufacturing and other manufacturing and production processes across the world and in all sorts of industries. In fact, automation was introduced in embryonic form with the classic automobile company Ford back in 1962. This new form of automation enabled Ford to achieve higher productivity levels while also being able to focus on other (perhaps more valuable) areas of the business.
Robotics can be seen as more of a branch of engineering which allows programmable machines (otherwise known as robots) to carry out repetitive tasks more or less autonomously. Robotics utilises several different disciplines to operate robotic machines. It helps build, program, and actively use robotic machinery to complete tasks. For example, car companies that use car manufacturing robots will use them to speed up processes and increase productivity on production lines that years ago may have been carried out manually by humans.
The accelerated use of robots in manufacturing has meant that manufacturing processes have sped forward like never before. The same can be said for robotics in industrial automation – this, of course, is an area where confusion between the two is more easily understood.
In the next section, we’ll look at exactly how automation and robotics are different.
Both have a similar and unifying goal in mind: to improve productivity by speeding up the completion of repetitive tasks while, at the same time, making such tasks safer and of a consistently higher quality.
Robotics deal more with physical machines, and the mechanical technologies that come with that be it sensors or motors. Once they are programmed correctly, they can be left to perform tasks autonomously.
By contrast, automation deals with the big picture and oversees the whole process. In that sense, you could say that robotics is simply a facet of automation. There are generally two types of automation: industrial automation and software automation.
Industrial automation refers to the physical tasks that would have formerly been carried out by humans. Industrial automation could include anything from box filling, sorting through spare parts, product labelling or safety improvements. Software automation refers to computer-based tasks that would have formerly been carried out by humans, like software programs to complete payroll processes, HR tasks, data management and other day-to-day tasks that were previously time-consuming.
Whether you’re looking to ramp up productivity or simply reduce the time spent on laborious tasks, automation and robotics services could help your business save time and money.
Browse our range of Robotic & Automated Spray Systems for more information on how our products could benefit your business. There are plenty of integration options available, from a full robotics installation to small-scale and gradual implementation.
You could reduce labour costs, reduce waste, and achieve real energy-efficiency. In fact, automated equipment have helped many of our customers achieve these goals and more (take a look at our case studies for more details).
In the meantime, we’re available to discuss your options on 01706 363555 or by emailing sales@junair.co.uk. You can also find our enquiry form here.
Written by
For businesses operating in sectors like automotive and manufacturing, the prospect of establishing an in-house powder coating facility presents a compelling opportunity.
In the realm of industrial manufacturing, where precision and efficiency are paramount, the performance of machinery is crucial. This holds especially true for paint finishing and powder coating equipment, including booths and ovens. While the focus often centres on the application equipment, such as spray guns and pumps, the unsung heroes of these processes are […]
Here’s an exciting glimpse into our latest project currently in the commissioning phase: a cutting-edge line that seamlessly combines automated and manual processes for the powder coating of security doors; where components can be loaded and unloaded in a stationary position along the line. To enhance your quality control, we’ve incorporated five distrinct LED-lit workstations. […]
Welcoming Our Newest Team Member. Junair is thrilled to introduce our latest addition to the company, Dan Parr! Dan joins us as operations manager, bringing a wealth of expertise and a fresh perspective to our dynamic team. We couldn’t be happier to have him on board as we continue to grow and innovate. What is […]
Energy bills continue to be volatile across the UK and with government subsidies beginning to end, many companies are looking for ways to cut down on energy. If you combine this with the fact that many businesses are becoming more environmentally conscious for ethical and financial reasons, with grants on offer to make businesses greener, […]
Powder coating is a popular finishing process used in many industries, such as automotive, aerospace, and furniture manufacturing. It involves the application of a fine powder material onto a surface. This powder material is then heated and cured to form a durable and attractive coating. Powder coating facilities often face challenges when it comes to […]
Automation is becoming more prevalent as technology advances and is one of the areas that is now increasingly accessible to businesses. Having automatic processes in place has several advantages for businesses, it increases efficiency, improves accuracy and frees up employee time. However, one of the most underrated advantages of automation is how much money it […]
Fusion bonded epoxy powder coating (FBE) is a type of coating that is applied to the surface of a material as a dry powder. The powder is made up of small particles of epoxy resin and a hardening agent. The coating is applied to the surface of the material using a process called electrostatic spray […]
When first powder coating, it’s common for businesses to outsource their finishing operations. As bringing the process in-house can often require further staff, training and a larger upfront cost in terms of buying the machinery and equipment to ensure the process is carried out to a high standard. Business owners often outsource powder coating for […]
Read our latest news and insights from around the spray booth industry.
Find out moreRead about some of our latest client projects.
Find out moreTake a look at some of our downloadable resources.
Find out moreIf you have a new project that you would like some help with, call us on +44 1706 363 555 to speak to a member of our team about your requirements. We will take you through our project process step-by-step, whether you are redeveloping an existing site or building a new facility, Junair can help.