RAPIDDS

Working with an expert fabricator and integrator that is flexible enough to customize can help meet requirements while expediting completion

For manufacturers , the continual need to increase production speed and efficiency while reducing labor has spurred a shift toward implementing automated systems .

However , off-the-shelf equipment will not accommodate every application , particularly those that are complex with robots and conveyors , as well as a host of equipment for manufacture , assembly , packaging , labeling , palletizing , etc . that must be flawlessly coordinated . For this reason , even some large automation companies will not take on applications considered too difficult .

In such cases , companies looking to increase the speed and efficiency of their manufacturing lines need an automation partner that can quickly and cost-effectively deliver tailored , even custom solutions . This includes the ability to design , build , and integrate high-speed , high-volume automated equipment and systems for some of the largest companies in the world , as well as growing corporations seeking to become world-class .

For projects of any size , however , it can be crucial to partner with an expert supplier to overcome a range of obstacles such as meeting specifications and regulatory requirements , system integration , and necessary customization , as well as completing the work on time and within budget .

“ While implementing off-the-shelf solutions can be a starting point for some projects , automating and incorporating robotics frequently requires a custom solution that meets very specific process requirements . For this reason , even large suppliers in this space will often pass on opportunities if they are not easily resolved ,” says Leon Gurevich , founder and Chief Technology Officer of Rapid Development Services ( RDS ).

RDS is an industrial automation equipment builder , providing design , engineering , integration and fabrication of production

Automation suppliers and integrators need a ‘ tool box ’ full of solutions including the ability to design and build from scratch in order to fit together all the pieces of the puzzle .

machinery . The company has implemented over 300 complex , robotic , assembly and manufacturing projects worldwide , and has been awarded more than 40 patents .

So , at the risk of delay or failure on larger , more complex projects it is particularly important to work with a supplier that not only has expertise , but is also nimble and flexible .

“ When it comes to automating production , equipment can range from very small to complete lines several hundred feet long that can consist of robots , conveyors , vision systems , server drives , etc .,” says Gurevich , who has worked with companies such as

Anheuser Busch , Johnson and Johnson , Cargill , General Mills , Abbott Labs , Pfizer , Medtronic , and Cooper Industries . “ So , automation suppliers and integrators need a ‘ tool box ’ full of solutions including the ability to design and build from scratch in order to fit together all the pieces of the puzzle .”

In the case of RDS , the company typically uses standardized off-the-shelf solutions and integrates it with other systems , but can design and manufacture equipment and sub-systems from scratch , as needed . This includes equipment such as automated assembly solutions , inspection systems , packaging equipment , labeling / marking systems and palletizing automation , as well as filling systems and machine tending automation .

As an example , after trouble with an initial vendor , this approach helped Monsanto Dairy Group stay on schedule with the construction and start-up of a veterinary pharmaceutical facility in Augusta , Georgia , according to Chris R . Redford , P . E ., Principal Pharmaceutical Engineer , Monsanto AG Engineering , St . Louis , MO .

“ The custom handling system [ originally ] purchased by the construction was found unacceptable after a full year of design and fabrication effort . This put us in a very difficult position .

38 PECM Issue 49