How to Select an Automation Partner

You have an idea of what an automated system needs to achieve so it can be considered a success in your company. Solving a breakdown in the production process or installing a system to produce more products at a higher quality may be your end goal. Partners like integrators and manufacturers are needed to design and install systems and provide training. Choosing the right partner is critical for success so make sure the vendors you select have the following qualities.

Communication

A valued partner will help clarify your goals and objectives and determine the equipment that works best in your situation. The customer in this case is not always right. An integrator, manufacturer's representative, or other partner may know what you need and will work with you on that basis versus someone who will just sell you what you want.

Decision-making at this level requires clear communication and that leads to trust.

Ask potential partners how they can ensure you're going to purchase the right system, like using a simulation program. In the write-up Robotics Industry Insights—Protecting End Users and Suppliers – Best Practices for Robot Integrators simulation is used as a way to ensure a robotics system is correctly prepared.

“For every cell that we build we do full robotic simulation using the actual 3D models that we’re designing with the robot,” says Kevin Bowe, Director of Engineering for JR Automation Technologies. “Now we can run through the simulation as the design is evolving to prove that the robot we have sized for the application is the correct one.”

Anxiety is greatly reduced when there's trust between all parties that the right system is going to be installed.

Experience

An experienced robotics integrator will take as much data as you can provide and develop an applications study. Sharing the data requires open communications and you should have a project manager on your end that is thorough and can work with the integrator in developing documents that show details of the process. The application study may include computer simulation and physical tests of the process depending on the complexity of the system. An experienced integrator will communicate with you on the benefits if you bring a partner into the design process at an early stage.

Knowledge

Advances in robotics, vision systems, and motion control make automation an evolving industry. New equipment is introduced year to year and standards on issues like workplace safety are studied and upgraded.

Quality integrators don't sit on what they've accomplished in the past. Instead, they stay educated with resources like the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) certification program. In the article, Protecting End Users and Suppliers – Best Practices for Robot Integrators reveal some of the best practices and ways successful integrators work with their customers as partners.

Ability

You have a bottom line or mission critical need. A manufacturer or integrator may understand theory but the equipment has to perform. Reducing time in production and creating products that have nearly zero errors are ways to evaluate manufacturers of automated systems.

In Robotics Case Studies – Fabrik selects Staubli for six axis plastic automation you'll see that speed, accuracy, and pricing provided a valuable package for Fabrik Molded Plastics of McHenry, Illinois to choose Staubli as its systems supplier.

Just like a low cost contractor may not be the best to choose for a home remodeling project, a low cost system that doesn't perform may end up being more expensive than a higher price system that gets your company to the level you want to achieve.

A valuable automation partner will be able to evaluate the cost and help you project the return you'll see on your investment.

Accessibility

An automation partner who is no more than a day's drive away is in close proximity that makes the project more accessible as your system is being developed. An integrator or manufacturer who is accessible via tele-conferencing or opens its doors for you keeps the communication loop open. Once the system is installed, ask how accessible they'll be for training and potential trouble-shooting down the line. Do a little legwork to make sure they have a reputation for following up on their promises.

A manufacturer or integrator who answers your questions, has a proven track record, and helps evaluate your cost and the return on your investment has the qualities needed for a trusted automation partner.