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I simply wrapped up a manufacturing facility acceptance take a look at (FAT) in Spain with a world participant within the private care and client items business. It was easy—so easy, actually, that their staff 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 challenge wasn’t difficult from an engineering standpoint. But from a deployment and long-term technique perspective? It was spot-on.
Here’s why beginning easy was precisely the best 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 structure. For my technical aspect, nothing to get fired up about.
But from a enterprise standpoint, it is a launchpad. We’re speaking a couple of world group with a number of factories throughout Europe. This first set up is a take a look at case. If it goes properly, we’re repeat deployments in websites with increased pace necessities, tighter footprints, and totally different security constraints.
So sure, it’s easy. But 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. Together, we agreed: let’s begin small, deploy quick, and decrease threat.
The challenge suits completely within the “green zone”—low threat, low complexity, and excessive worth. That allowed us to:
- keep away from safeguards (an enormous tradition shift for them)
- preserve the prevailing structure
- cut back friction in the course of the deployment
Everything on this first part was about constructing belief and displaying what’s potential when automation is completed proper.
Simple does not imply challenge-free
Even although the robotic software itself was simple, we nonetheless needed to navigate plenty of complexity—simply of a special variety. When working with a big, world firm, you’re not simply fixing for automation. You’re fixing for change.
We needed to have interaction with stakeholders from IT, security, upkeep, and procurement. Everyone 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 sport) issues decelerate quick.
We managed it properly, however I’ll say this: the sooner you may meet these stakeholders, the higher. Some of the suggestions we obtained throughout FAT (like field orientation changes) got here from native operators who understood the method higher than anybody. Those insights have been essential, and would’ve been much more helpful earlier on.
Why flexibility issues
Because we used Robotiq’s commonplace palletizing resolution, we might adapt actually shortly.
During FAT, they requested for 4 or 5 modifications. Box orientation. Speed changes. A tweak in power. Each change took 5 minutes or much less. No rewriting code. No delays. We stayed on monitor and accomplished the complete FAT in someday.
Their staff instructed us this was the smoothest FAT they’ve ever completed. 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. More advanced websites coming: some that require pace, others that demand extra superior security setups. But that’s the place our modular, brand-agnostic platform actually shines.
We can help collaborative purposes like this one and scale as much as higher-speed, extra demanding strains—all whereas maintaining the identical software program surroundings and core elements. That consistency is precisely what prospects want once they’re planning multi-site rollouts.
Final ideas
If 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 means for many years, begin easy. Let them see the robotic in motion. Let them really feel how straightforward it’s to adapt. That’s how you modify minds and shift tradition.
This challenge jogged my memory that “straightforward” on paper doesn’t at all times imply “easy” in actual life. But when the tech is versatile and the staff is aligned, it actually might be.
Want to see in case your challenge suits the “green zone”?
Try our Palletizing Fit Tool to establish low-risk, high-reward automation alternatives.
