February 2021 Volume 3

AUTOMATION

FIA Members Talk Automation

We have a very robust training program that each employee goes through when hired. We also have set reminders for when additional training needs to take place. Everything must be hands-on. The first successful install led to additional automation opportunities. We now have multiple conveyors and other types of robotic stacking equipment that has allowed us to utilize our employees for other tasks. It has opened up our eyes to automate as many things as possible within our facility. In regards to the return on investment, it was really hit or miss. While the robots reduced injuries, automation and robotics require a multitude of other monetary costs. These expenses include more maintenance personnel and higher-skilled labor to work on the equipment. My advice for others would be, do not jump right in. Take it slow and try to write down all of things you are truly trying to get out of robotics. Keep it Simple! ■ Damien Junkulis Value Add Commercial Sales Manager Eaton Steel Bar Company

For Eaton Steel Bar Company (ESBC), the main motivations to move towards automation were speed, productivity, and being able to robotically stack product for our customers. We had operators performing the same repetitive tasks day after day, which was leading to fatigue and injury. We were also having a problem finding labor, so this was a way to utilize the people we do have in a more productive manner. In order for the project to succeed, we needed to have robots that could be easily programmed and swapped out in case of a breakdown. We also purchased additional robots as a backup in case of one going down. The last thing you want to do is have a robot designed to perform a task and have it breakdown, and ultimately shut down production. The main bottleneck was finding experienced higher- skilled people to perform maintenance and other tasks with the robots. Even though the job does not physically require someone perform the task, it requires higher-skilled labor to maintain the equipment.

10221 Capital Avenue Oak Park, MI 48237 Phone: 248-219-1236 Email: djunkulis@eatonsteel.com

FIA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2021 28