Have you ever wondered whether automated assembly or manual assembly is more economical? In today's blog post, we'll compare the two assembly methods and provide factual data to help you make an informed decision.
Automated Assembly
Automated assembly is the process of using machines and robotics to perform tasks that would otherwise be done manually. The goal of automation is to improve production efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality.
Automated assembly is more expensive to set up than manual assembly. However, once the equipment is installed, it can produce products faster and with a higher degree of precision than manual assembly. Automation also reduces the likelihood of errors that are common in manual assembly, such as incorrect assembly, missing parts, or defects.
According to a study conducted by the International Journal of Industrial Engineering - Theory, Applications and Practice, automated assembly can significantly reduce labor costs by 33% to 66%. Additionally, automated assembly equipment can operate virtually non-stop, 24/7, which means that the manufacturing facility can produce more product per hour than a comparable manual assembly facility.
Manual Assembly
Manual assembly is the process of assembling products by hand. It's a labor-intensive process that requires human workers to perform repetitive tasks, such as attaching parts or fastening components together.
Manual assembly is less expensive to set up than automated assembly, as it requires less equipment and can be done without significant capital investment. However, manual assembly is much slower than automated assembly and is prone to errors due to human factors such as fatigue, inconsistent performance, and variability.
Which is More Economical?
It's difficult to say which assembly method is more economical because it depends on several factors, including the product being manufactured, the production volume required, and the cost of labor. However, in general, automated assembly is more economical than manual assembly for high-volume production of complex products.
Automated assembly equipment produces products with a higher degree of precision, consistency, and quality than manual assembly, and can operate with minimal supervision. This means that automated assembly can produce more product per hour or day than manual assembly, which, in turn, can reduce the cost per unit.
However, for low-volume production, manual assembly may be more economical than automated assembly, as it requires less capital investment and provides the flexibility to change assembly methods quickly to accommodate variations in product design.
References
- S. Chandrasekaran, K. Ganesan, "Comparison of Manual Assembly and Automated Assembly," International Journal of Industrial Engineering: Theory, Applications and Practice. 2012
- P. N. Pujari, Industrial automation: principles and applications. McGraw-Hill Education, 2018.