System studies
We understand that making the move to robotics is a big investment for any business and we’re here to help you consider your options at every step of the way.
Is robotic weighing right for my business?
First up, you may be wondering if robotic weighing is going to deliver results in your facility. It might be the case that you’ve already completed internal analysis of your weighing operations and come to the conclusion that there are cost savings to be made, or you may be starting a new material handling project and just want to know your options.
Whatever step of the journey you’re on, it’s important to find a partner who can guide you through the process. Robotics changes the rules of material handling and you need a specialist to help you to overcome the challenges that may arise as you switch from operators to robots.
Broadly speaking, robotic weighing systems have a much wider operating envelope than traditional weighing solutions. This means that you can solve more complex material handling problems and remove more operators from weighing operations with robotics, helping to streamline your operations and cut costs. With automated weighing, it’s possible to adapt the system to your facility based on the following factors:
Weighing range
Accuracy
Ingredient flexibility
Storage
Risk of cross-contamination
I would like to automate my weighing processes, what happens next?
Once you’ve decided to explore robotic material handling and ensure it is right for you, we have a three-step process to help guide you along the way:
Step 1 - calculating the size of the prize through big data analysis
First up we want to understand your business. How large a saving can we achieve? How could we improve product quality and traceability? Where would the system need to be positioned?
In order to ensure the right solution for your specific needs, a thorough analysis of your existing production data is required. Typically, we request up to a year’s data to fully understand your processes and products, allowing us to define your system requirements. We also conduct a site visit to get to grips with your existing operations. This way we are able to advise on whether switching to robotics would deliver the right payback over the right period of time to justify the project.
Step 2 - conceptual design & simulation
Based on this data analysis, an initial design will be prepared, ensuring that the system is optimised in light of any agreed constraints within the facility. Once we have the finalised design, a full simulation of your APRIL Robotics system is shared with you. This future-oriented, graphical programming in a virtual environment system allows you to fully understand what the new process will look like.
Step 3 - product testing & reference site visits
If you’re happy with the suggested approach, we then conduct a series of trials at our UK test facility for you to see the APRIL Robotics Ingredient Handling system in action with your own ingredients and processes. We’ve already tested over 300 ingredients and components but we can also put the system through its paces testing out any particularly tricky ingredients (challenge us - we love it!)
At this stage we can also arrange visits to reference sites where companies are already using our APRIL Robotics system so you can see the system operational in a manufacturing environment.
Why OAL?
Our APRIL Analytics multidisciplinary team has a wealth of material handling experience to helps you understand the impact robotics can have on your business and get the project right first time.
Whether you’re looking to retrofit an APRIL Robotics system into an existing facility or designing a new plant, OAL is on hand to support you. We have a sound understanding of the technical and business issues that are likely to be encountered during a project’s lifecycle. Our expert engineers personally oversee each project from initial concept to design, implementation, deployment and support. We use state of the art 3D design systems and have a centre of excellence for SolidWorks so that you can see realistic models of your system in situ at every step of the way. It also enables any non-technical personnel within the business to visualise what is taking place and has been agreed upon.
As engineers, we focus on the needs of the project delivering a rapid response to match your schedules and minimise the disruption to your production process. We take responsibility for the total project from concept and design to manufacture, installation and commissioning.
