I simply wrapped up a manufacturing facility acceptance check (FAT) in Spain with a world participant within the private care and shopper items trade. It was easy—so easy, the truth is, that their workforce needed to rebook flights house as a result of we completed forward of schedule.
Now, I do know what you’re considering: if it was that straightforward, it most likely wasn’t thrilling. And technically, you’re proper. This mission 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 software: about three containers per minute, inflexible cardboard, straightforward format. For my technical facet, nothing to get fired up about.
However from a enterprise standpoint, it is a launchpad. We’re speaking a couple of international group with a number of factories throughout Europe. This primary set up is a check case. If it goes effectively, we’re repeat deployments in websites with increased velocity necessities, tighter footprints, and totally different security constraints.
So sure, it’s easy. However it’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 mission suits completely within the “inexperienced zone”—low danger, low complexity, and excessive worth. That allowed us to:
- keep away from safeguards (a giant tradition shift for them)
- keep the present format
- scale back friction throughout the deployment
Every little thing 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 software itself was easy, we nonetheless needed to navigate a variety of complexity—simply of a distinct sort. When working with a big, international firm, you’re not simply fixing for automation. You’re fixing for change.
We needed to interact with stakeholders from IT, security, upkeep, and procurement. Everybody had totally different objectives, KPIs, and views. One particular person can greenlight the appliance, but when the security lead isn’t on boa (or the manufacturing facility operator spots a difficulty late within the recreation) issues decelerate quick.
We managed it effectively, however I’ll say this: the sooner you possibly can meet these stakeholders, the higher. Among the suggestions we received 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 resolution, 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 monitor and accomplished the total FAT in at some point.
Their workforce advised us this was the smoothest FAT they’ve ever accomplished. That’s not only a win for us—it’s a powerful sign that standardization and ease go hand in hand if you’re laying the muse 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 preserving the identical software program surroundings and core elements. That consistency is precisely what clients want once they’re planning multi-site rollouts.
Closing ideas
In case 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 manner 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 mission 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 could be.
Need to see in case your mission suits the “inexperienced zone”?
Attempt our Palletizing Match Software to establish low-risk, high-reward automation alternatives.
