CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

We undertake factory automation studies, which involve a detailed analysis of the complete factory to identify potential areas where automation can benefit the customer. The benefits that we target include increase in productivity, improvement in quality, consistency in production, debottlenecking, and line balancing.

The process of conceptual design includes

1. Identifying specific processes can be readily automated using our modular automation units.
2. Identifying processes where development work will be involved in automation, but which is within our technological capabilities
3. Identifying processes that can be readily automated by using machines and systems that are available from standard manufacturers
4. Identifying processes which require skill and which therefore require some modifications in the process, so that it may be automated

All these above solutions are then put together to create a composite factory automation plan. A system integration study is then done to identify inter- dependence of the systems and the component flow patterns. This enables us to ensure that the whole plan will work as a system without any cycle time or component flow issues.

After all the systems and machines required to automate the factory have been identified, preliminary designs are developed for the systems that will be of our manufacture, so as to identify and project a budgetary cost for the systems. Specifications are laid out and offers obtained for the systems that will be procured directly from other manufacturers.

All the above information is presented to the customer as a blueprint of the potential costs and benefits of automation in the complete plant.

At the end of the conceptual design, the following is presented to the customer:
i) A write-up about the various sub-systems in the system
ii) A set of conceptual drawings of the main individual components
iii) A technical description for the complete system, explaining the functioning of the system
iv) Detailed costing and commercial aspects for development of the complete system
v) We will make recommendations, as to the level of automation the customers should go ahead with, detailing the advantage and disadvantages, so as to support him in deciding whether to go ahead with developing such a system or not.

The basic value that the customer will obtain from this study and conceptual design is that they will be able to clearly visualize the automation required in his factory, the modifications required, the costs involved, and the expected time schedule.

This conceptual design will enable the customer to clearly judge the feasibility of the system, from all technical and financial aspects.

Having taken a decision, the customer will also be able to clearly define how to go about automating the line, and also have a clear expectation of the results, which can be achieved by automation.