Manufacturing processes to automate: production planning

Even where a component or product might be common, there are a number of variables including; machine performance, quality of materials, even the weather which can all affect manufacturing. Often its only when you’ve run a few off a few parts that a problem presents itself. At this stage, production must play the part of detective and assess which element is out of line.

Virtual automation can be leveraged to combine data from production, staff shifts, maintenance cycles and compliance in order to give a clearer overview of production. Currently, much of this information sits on disparate systems and must be assembled and digested by a human, often after-the-fact. By combining this data in real time, RPA can aid in production transparency. 

RPA (Robotic Process Automation) can be used to gather this information and give live and accurate production updates. RPA can combine data from your ERP including quoted time vs real time and automatically warn you where a particular component may not be made in a profitable way. In many instances machines have some form of virtual log which can be accessed via USB, this information can instead be sent via bluetooth to a central hub where a robot can take live data and add it to a dashboard.

Another way in which RPA can aid production planning and quotations is by quickly looking through the specs of previous quotes and previous components with similiar attributes and offering a comparison.

If you are interested in the applications of RPA for your manual processes which are high in volume but low in value be sure to get in touch.

Bespoke problems require bespoke solutions. Each business has its own processes and way of doing things and so although below are some common ways in which RPA has been implemented into manufacturing firms the best way to find out if your process can be automated is simply to ask our team.