Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1088168
MARCH 2019 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 81 standing and consensus of what information is needed to develop the strategy for automation. Automation is Strategic There are numerous dimensions to auto- mation strategies, which are all driven by top management. Do you know any of these strat- egies? If not, here are six fundamentals: 1. Develop a plan 2. Be aware of opportunities 3. Create a quality paradigm 4. Recognize myths 5. Understand the prerequisites 6. Avoid pitfalls Automation is Tactical Likewise, there are numerous elements to automation tactics: 1. Focus the factory 2. Consider the technologies 3. Implement a manufacturing management information system 4. Learn to pay as you go (justification) 5. Plan the steps and have a good methodology 6. Understand how to integrate Six Automation Principles For the rest of this article, the assumption will be that all the necessary preparations in strategy and tactics have been completed. Now, how does it all fit together for successful implementation? This problem affects large, wealthy companies as well as small job shops. Successful automation implementations de- pend on close adherence to some cardinal principles, which will be reviewed in further detail: 1. Superiority 2. Simplicity 3. Flexibility 4. Compatibility 5. Manufacturability 6. Reliability 1. Superiority: Automation Must Contribute to a Business Goal In the simplest terms, the business goal is to be the best. However, "best" is relative. Thus, it can be rated based on experience, reputa- tion, technology, profitability, engineering, or anything to compare oneself to competitors. The customer's perspective is important; what Figure 2: Commitment to manufacturing and engineering excellence is the basis for any automation system. Manufacturing Techniques Commitment to be the best Benchmarking, engineering, and excellence Education & awareness Benchmarking, manufacturing, and excellence Demand pull production (JIT) AUTOMATE MANUFACTURING Design flow processes (Six Sigma) Total quality control (TQC) Process consistency (SPC) Computer-aided tooling (CAM) Level schedules (LEAN) Design for manufacturability (DFM) Cooperative suppliers