FANUC Integration by Automated Solutions Australia
When Australian manufacturers look at automation, the robot is only part of the solution.
The real opportunity lies in creating a complete automation system where robotics, machinery, tooling, controls and safety equipment work together as one coordinated production process.
That is where Automated Solutions Australia (ASA) comes in.
ASA specialises in the design, engineering and integration of FANUC robotic systems for Australian manufacturers. As a FANUC robot integrator since 2002, ASA brings together FANUC industrial robots, collaborative robots and application-specific technology to develop automation systems around the needs of each manufacturing operation.
From machine tool tending and robotic welding to automated paint finishing and robotic palletising, ASA integrates FANUC technology into practical manufacturing solutions designed around the process.
If you are researching automation systems Australia, the important question is not simply which robot to buy.
It is how that robot can be integrated into your production environment.
Automation Systems Australia | What are They?
An automation system brings multiple technologies together to perform a manufacturing process with reduced manual intervention.
Depending on the application, a system can include:
- FANUC industrial robots
- FANUC collaborative robots
- CNC machinery
- Robotic tooling
- Grippers and end-of-arm tooling
- Sensors
- Vision systems
- PLCs and controls
- Conveyors
- Safety equipment
- Production machinery
- Robot programming
Each component has a role.
However, the real value comes from making those components work together.
This is known as robotic system integration.
At ASA, the approach starts with the manufacturing process. The team assesses the application, production requirements, equipment, cycle times and available space before developing a robotic solution around those requirements.
That means the FANUC robot is selected as part of the solution.
FANUC Integration us at the Heart of ASA’s Automation Systems
For ASA, FANUC robotics sits at the centre of its automation capability.
ASA has specialised in FANUC robot integration since 2002, with its engineering team supporting projects from concept and system design through to installation, programming, commissioning and ongoing support.
This experience matters because every manufacturing application is different.
A robot tending a CNC machine has different requirements from a robot performing an arc weld.
A paint robot needs a different system configuration from a palletising robot.
Likewise, a heavy material handling application requires a different combination of robot payload, reach, tooling and safety equipment from a high-speed pick-and-place application.
Therefore, ASA does not take a one-size-fits-all approach.
The process comes first. The FANUC solution is then engineered around it.
Why FANUC Robotics?
FANUC offers a broad range of industrial and collaborative robot platforms, allowing an automation system to be matched to different manufacturing applications.
Robot selection can involve considerations such as:
- Payload
- Reach
- Speed
- Accuracy
- Repeatability
- Robot configuration
- Operating environment
- Available floor space
- Production cycle time
- Tooling requirements
ASA integrates more than 100 FANUC robot models, with different models suited to different manufacturing requirements..
Automation Systems Australia Built Around the Manufacturing Process
A successful automation project begins with understanding the problem.
Perhaps operators are repeatedly loading and unloading a CNC machine.
Perhaps welding involves long periods of repetitive movement.
Perhaps paint finishing requires consistent robotic motion.
Or perhaps finished products need to be picked, stacked and palletised at the end of a production line.
These are very different applications.
Yet they all have something in common.
FANUC robotics can become part of an integrated automation solution designed to perform the repetitive task.
ASA works with Australian businesses to identify these opportunities and develop automation systems around them. Its services include needs analysis, cell concept and design, simulation, construction, commissioning, training and ongoing support.
Machine Tool Tending Automation
Machine tool tending is a strong example of how FANUC integration can transform a manufacturing process.
A FANUC robot can be integrated with CNC machinery to automate the loading and unloading of components.
The robot does not operate in isolation. Instead, it becomes part of the CNC production process.
This can help manufacturers automate repetitive loading and unloading tasks while creating a more consistent workflow.
For businesses considering automation systems in Australia, machine tending can also provide a practical starting point for introducing robotics into an existing production environment.
FANUC Robotic Welding Systems
Welding is another major application for FANUC automation.
Robotic welding can be particularly valuable where production involves repetitive welds, consistent components or demanding production schedules.
ASA integrates FANUC welding robots with the surrounding equipment required to create a complete robotic welding cell.
The objective is not simply to make the robot weld. It is to create a complete system that can repeatedly perform the required production process.
ASA specifically provides FANUC robotic welding solutions designed around individual manufacturing requirements.
FANUC Paint Robots and Automated Paint Finishing
Paint finishing is another area where FANUC integration can provide significant automation opportunities.
Painting requires controlled movement, repeatability and consistency.
A robotic paint system can integrate the FANUC paint robot with the surrounding production equipment to create a coordinated finishing process.
Depending on the application, that system can incorporate conveyors, part handling, positioning equipment, safety systems and other process technology.
ASA designs and integrates robotic paint finishing systems around the parts, coating process and production requirements.
This is an important distinction.
The objective is not simply to install a paint robot.
It is to create an automated paint finishing system that works within the manufacturer’s wider production process.
FANUC Robotic Palletising
Palletising is another application where robotic automation can remove repetitive manual handling.
A FANUC palletising robot can pick products from a production or packaging line and place them onto pallets according to a programmed pattern.Integration is critical.
The robot needs to communicate with the wider system and perform each stage of the palletising process in the correct sequence.
Automation System Australia | More Than a Robot
One of the biggest misconceptions about industrial robotics is that automation simply means buying a robot.
It doesn’t.
A robot is a piece of equipment.
An automation system is the complete solution surrounding it.That distinction is particularly important when manufacturers are investing significant capital into automation.
The system needs to work reliably on the factory floor.
It needs appropriate tooling.
It needs to communicate with machinery.
It needs suitable safety systems.
It needs to be programmed correctly.
And it needs to be commissioned, supported and maintained.
ASA covers these stages.
ASA’s FANUC Integration Process
At Automated Solutions Australia (ASA), we understand that successful robotic automation starts with the application, not simply the robot.
Every manufacturing environment has different production requirements, equipment, processes and challenges. That is why we take an application-led approach to FANUC robot integration, developing automation systems in Australia, around the specific needs of each manufacturer.
As a specialist FANUC integrator, we work through the complete automation journey. From understanding the process and developing the initial concept through to robot selection, system integration, programming, commissioning, installation and ongoing support.
Our approach typically follows several key stages.
1. Understanding Your Manufacturing Process
Before we select a robot or begin designing an automation cell, we first need to understand what the application requires.
At ASA, we look at the complete production process, including:
- What is being manufactured?
- What is the current production cycle time?
- Which processes are repetitive, labour-intensive or ergonomically challenging?
- What equipment is already installed?
- What production volumes need to be achieved?
- What quality and consistency requirements apply?
- What are the current bottlenecks?
- What outcome does the manufacturer want to achieve?
This application-first approach allows us to identify where robotics can provide practical value.
2. Developing the Robotic Automation Concept
Once we understand the application, we develop an initial concept for the proposed automation system.
At this stage, we consider how the FANUC robot will interact with the surrounding production equipment and how the complete cell will operate.
The objective is not simply to place a robot into an existing process. Our objective is to develop an integrated robotic system in which the robot, machinery, tooling, controls and safety systems work together as one production solution.
3. Selecting the Appropriate FANUC Robot
Selecting the right FANUC robot is an important part of the integration process.
FANUC offers a broad range of industrial robots designed for different applications, payloads, reaches and operating environments. At ASA, we assess the requirements of the application before determining which robot is appropriate.
Factors we consider can include:
- Payload
- Reach
- Robot speed
- Repeatability
- Number of axes
- Working envelope
- Mounting configuration
- Environmental conditions
- Tooling requirements
- Required cycle time
For instance, a compact application may require a small-footprint FANUC LR Mate, while a heavier application may require a higher-payload industrial robot, like from the R-2000 Series.
The robot is selected to suit the application not the other way around.
4. Designing the Complete Automation Cell
The FANUC robot is only one part of a robotic automation system.
At ASA, we integrate the robot into the wider production environment. Depending on the project, the completed cell may incorporate machinery, tooling, conveyors, guarding, sensors, controls, vision systems and other automation equipment.
Our engineering approach considers how these components need to interact throughout the production cycle.
This is particularly important for applications such as machine tool tending, where the robot needs to communicate with the machine tool, load and unload components, manage the production sequence and operate within the required safety parameters.
Likewise, applications such as welding, painting and palletising require purpose-built tooling, programming and system integration to achieve the required production outcome.
5. Simulation and Automation Development
Where appropriate, simulation can form an important part of the automation development process.
Simulation allows us to assess robot movement, reach, positioning and production sequences before the physical system is installed.
This can help us evaluate the proposed robotic system, identify potential movement or access issues and refine the concept before commissioning the physical cell.
6. Building and Integrating the Robotic System
Once the system design has been established, the required components are brought together to create the complete automation cell.
This is where integration becomes critical.
The FANUC robot needs to work seamlessly with the surrounding equipment. Tooling, machinery, controls, sensors, safety systems and production processes all need to operate as part of a coordinated system.
At ASA, our role is to bring these technologies together into a functioning
7. FANUC Robot Programming and Commissioning
Programming is a critical stage of any robotic automation project.
The FANUC robot is programmed according to the required production sequence, tooling and application.
The complete system is then commissioned and tested.
Commissioning provides the opportunity to refine the system and ensure the integrated cell performs as intended before moving into production.
8. Installation and Training
Following system development and commissioning, the completed automation system can be installed at the customer’s manufacturing facility.
Installation involves integrating the robotic cell into the existing production environment and ensuring the required interfaces and systems are operational.
Training can also be provided to help relevant personnel understand the operation of the FANUC robotic system and associated equipment.
Our goal is to ensure the manufacturer has the knowledge required to operate the system effectively as part of its ongoing production process.
9. Ongoing Support and Optimisation
For us, automation does not end when the robot starts production.
A robotic system is a long-term investment, and ongoing support can play an important role in maintaining performance.
ASA provides support across programming, servicing, maintenance, troubleshooting and production optimisation for FANUC robotic systems.
As production requirements change, automation systems may also need to evolve.
That is why having an experienced FANUC systems integrator involved beyond the initial installation can provide valuable technical support throughout the life of the system.
Why Choose ASA for Automation Systems in Australia?
When manufacturers begin researching automation systems Australia, the decision is about considerably more than selecting a robot.
The success of a robotic automation project depends on how effectively the robot is integrated into the complete manufacturing process.
At ASA, we bring together FANUC robotics, engineering capability and application-specific integration experience to develop practical automation solutions for Australian manufacturers.
Australian Support
ASA operates from Adelaide and Melbourne, providing automation services to manufacturers across Australia.
Our Australian presence allows us to work directly with local manufacturing businesses while delivering FANUC robotic integration and engineering expertise for a wide range of applications.
Building Smarter Manufacturing with FANUC Robotics
Robotics continues to play an increasingly important role in modern Australian manufacturing.
However, successful automation is not simply about putting a robot into a production environment.
It is about integration.
The robot needs to perform the required task. The tooling needs to handle the product correctly. The machinery needs to communicate with the robot. Safety systems need to operate correctly. Production sequences need to work together. And the complete cell needs to deliver the required manufacturing outcome.
That is where ASA’s experience as a FANUC systems integrator becomes important.
FANUC provides the robotic technology. ASA provides the integration and engineering expertise to turn that technology into a complete automation system.
Our experience spans applications including machine tool tending, robotic welding, automated paint finishing, palletising, material handling and other industrial automation processes.
The result is a robotic system developed around the manufacturer’s requirements rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Looking for Automation Systems Australia?
If you are researching automation systems Australia, you do not necessarily need to know which FANUC robot you require before speaking with an integrator.
You may not have designed the robotic cell.
You may simply have a production process that is repetitive, labour-intensive, difficult to maintain consistently or presenting an opportunity for greater automation.
That is where we can help.
At ASA, we can assess the application, identify potential automation opportunities and work through the system requirements with you.
From the initial concept and FANUC robot selection through to system design, programming, integration, installation, commissioning and ongoing support, Automated Solutions Australia provides integrated FANUC robotic automation solutions for Australian manufacturers.
Whether the objective is to automate machine tool tending, improve welding consistency, introduce robotic paint finishing, automate palletising or improve material handling, the starting point remains the same:
Understand the process. Identify the opportunity. Integrate the right automation system around it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Automation Systems Australia
What does an automation systems integrator do?
An automation systems integrator brings together robotics, machinery, tooling, controls, safety equipment and other technologies to create a complete automated production system.
At ASA, we specialise in integrating FANUC robots into automation systems for Australian manufacturers.
Is ASA a FANUC robot integrator?
Yes. ASA has been a FANUC robot integrator since 2002.
Our role extends beyond supplying a robot. We integrate FANUC robotics into complete manufacturing and automation systems.
What FANUC applications does ASA support?
ASA supports a broad range of industrial applications, including machine tool tending, robotic welding, automated paint finishing, palletising, material handling, vision inspection, material removal, deburring, polishing and shot blasting.
Does ASA only supply FANUC robots?
No. Our role extends beyond robot supply.
As an integrator, we work across system design, robot programming, integration, installation, commissioning, training and ongoing technical support.
Can ASA help if we don’t know what type of robot we need?
Yes.
You do not need to have already selected a robot before speaking with ASA. We can assess your manufacturing process and requirements and determine what type of robotic automation may be appropriate.
Where does ASA provide automation services?
ASA operates from Adelaide and Melbourne and provides automation services to manufacturers across Australia.
Talk to ASA About FANUC Automation
If you are considering automation for your manufacturing process, the first step does not have to be choosing a robot.
Start with the application.
What process do you want to automate?
From there, the ASA team can help you explore the potential automation requirements and develop an appropriate FANUC robotic integration solution.
Whether you are considering machine tool tending, robotic welding, automated paint finishing, palletising or another industrial automation application, our team can work with you from concept through to implementation and ongoing support.