From Volume 2 Issue 3 of Connected.
With the development of new technologies and the evolution of modern assembly line production, 2023 is an exciting time for the automotive industry. Recent developments have created changes in manufacturing processes, regulations and safety concerns for the user and the environment. Regardless of the industry segment, EV, E-mobility, tire and battery producers and their suppliers have all found ways to adapt to the ever changing automotive landscape. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that 40 to 50 percent of all passenger car sales will be electric vehicles by 2030.
As the market changes, one aspect of automobile manufacturing that remains consistent and plays a key role in the advancement of the automotive industry is industrial automation. From 2020 to 2030, the industrial automation market is expected to more than double, according to a report by Prophecy Market Insights. An Automate blog post says that nearly all automotive factories leverage some degree of automation in at least one stage of the vehicle production process, if not every stage. Automating assembly lines gives auto manufacturers the ability to increase production, limit downtime, mitigate raw material loss, improve standardization of product and keep people safe from the hazards in the factory.
To keep the automation process running smoothly, certain factors must be considered to ensure those components run safely and at optimal performance while maximizing efficiency. Some of those factors include reducing wasted space, maximizing human resources, recognizing environmental hazards and varying ambient temperature concerns. With Hoffman enclosure solutions, many of these concerns can be mitigated or even solved.
RECOGNIZE AUTOMATION PROTECTION HAZARDS
Here are two key factors to consider to effectively keep an automotive assembly line working:
Accessibility and Customization – Modular/IEC
Efficiency optimization is a key factor for the automotive industry. To beat the competition, manufacturers must find ways to save space on the factory floor, maximize human input hours and lower their total automation footprint to allow for more unit production space.
This is where Hoffman Global IEC solutions can help redefine assembly simplicity with a wide range of enclosure options in this portfolio. International Electrotechnical Commission, or IEC, Modular solutions are designed for ease of assembly with patented tool-free, click-in technology that installs in half the time of the competition. Modular enclosure solutions are also highly customizable with the ability to merge systems together for a reduced automation footprint and maximize productivity while keeping components safe with multiple protection ratings to choose from.
Environmental Protection - Enclosure type, HMI, Cooling
Selecting a proper enclosure is pivotal for automotive lines to keep automation components protected; if the automation components fail, the assembly line fails. Line failure leads to loss of production, and in the automotive industry, even one minute of downtime can cost a company upwards of $22,000, according to an article by Forbes. It is essential for manufacturers to select the proper NEMA-rating for the application to provide the first line of defense for protecting automation components with quality Hoffman solutions. For example, the Hoffman Concept enclosure line provides a variety of NEMA rated standard and disconnect enclosures in a wide range of sizes, including mild and stainless-steel configurations built for applications that provide that first line of defense in a standard, easily accessible option.
Human Machine Interface (HMI) is one of the most common pieces of equipment to be damaged in a manufacturing environment and it is another example of why it’s so important to have a system designed to be heavily utilized while providing optimal protection. The Hoffman line of HMI systems allow the end user to customize the setup for their application, whether it includes pendant arm systems, pedestals, computer consoles, workstations or screen monitor enclosures.
The last aspect of automation protection to consider is cooling. Heat can be generated from the components themselves and from external factors that include being mounted near a welding application, near an oven or directly in the sun. Keeping automation components cool is key to having components run at maximum efficiency. Electronic life expectancy is cut in half for every 18 degrees above the room temperature it reaches. Running components at higher temperatures lowers efficiency and raises potential for system failure, resulting in more capital that must be spent on replacing the automation component sooner. Hoffman has a wide range of cooling options to fit any application and keep components cool, including fans and filters, AC units, thermoelectric coolers, heat exchangers and pressurized air coolers. Hoffman components are designed to keep automation systems cool and running to ensure automotive lines stay up and running.