Production automation with robotics and testing technology for maximum precision | Vogt AG

Automation

An automatic gripper precisely positions a small white plastic part on a metal fixture in a production or testing line. The part is positioned in a row of similar components that are guided through the fixture.

Automation in production: The key to efficiency and precision

In a rapidly changing industry, automation is more than just a technological advance - it is a strategic advantage. Companies that invest in smart automation solutions today not only secure competitive advantages, but also the highest precision, quality and flexibility in their manufacturing processes. Whether it's small batches, series production or the manufacture of complex hybrid components - the key lies in the customised combination of technology, experience and design expertise.

Vogt AG specialises in developing individual automation concepts - tailored to the product, industry and customer requirements. Classic processes such as stamping technology, plastics processing and toolmaking are combined with modern technologies such as robotics and integrated quality assurance.

Close-up of an industrial camera unit with Fujinon lens aligned over a conveyor belt and surrounded by cables and a cover. The scene shows part of an automated testing or sorting system with precise lighting.

Introduction to modern production automation

What does automation mean?

Automation describes the technical realisation of work processes in which machines and systems take over tasks that were previously carried out manually. In industrial manufacturing, this includes not only production, but also assembly, testing and packaging - right up to the process automation of entire production lines.

Why is automation crucial in series production?

Every detail counts in series production. Consistent quality, short cycle times and minimised reject rates are crucial here. This is exactly what automation makes possible - it reduces human error, increases efficiency and makes production scalable.

Advantages at a glance:

  • Consistent quality through precise processes

  • Cost efficiency through reduced labour costs and material savings

  • Faster throughput times thanks to optimised processes

  • Traceability through digital documentation

Flexible production strategies - individually tailored to customer requirements

  • Close-up of a CNC milling machine drilling a precise hole pattern in an aluminium block. The workpiece is firmly clamped and is machined with high precision - typical for tool and mould making.

    Manual production: Advantages & areas of application

    Despite automation, manual processes still play a role - especially for small series, prototypes or customised solutions. This is where flexibility, adaptability and experience are key.

    Manual production offers:

    • Maximum customisability for small quantities

    • Ideal solution for rapidly changing requirements

    • Lower initial costs

  • Close-up of an automated production station in which a metal stamped-bent part is precisely positioned by a gripper. The scene shows precise handling in the industrial assembly or quality assurance of fasteners.

    Semi-automated processes: The middle way
     

    Semi-automated solutions are ideal for medium quantities or specific processing steps.

    Examples:

    • Joining processes with high repeat accuracy
    • Automatic positioning with human control
    • Integrated quality assurance for individual operations

    Advantages:

    • Balance between flexibility and efficiency
    • Shorter set-up times
    • Greater process reliability
  • Close-up of a blister belt with precisely inserted tongues, each fitted with a black plastic element. The packaging is used for automated further processing and protects the sensitive connecting elements during transport and assembly.

    Fully automated production: Efficiency at the highest level

    When high quantities are required, there is no way around full automation. Robots, conveyor technology and automatic inspection stations ensure speed and consistent quality.

    Ideal for:

    • Series production of plug contacts
    • Production of electromechanical components
    • Hybrid parts with complex structures

    Advantages:

    • Maximum efficiency and productivity
    • Low error rate
    • Round-the-clock operation possible

  • Process automation in practice

    Intelligent process automation is at the heart of modern manufacturing operations. It combines machines, test stations and software solutions to create an integrated production environment that is reliable, scalable and highly precise.

  • Close-up of an automatic blister machine with precisely guided gripper arm and several pneumatic lines. The machine is designed for automated packaging or assembly processes and is located in an industrial environment.

    Integration of robotics in series production

    Industrial robots perform tasks that are repeatable, dangerous or particularly precise. In series production, they are used in the following processes, for example:

    • Loading assembly lines with components
    • Handling sensitive components such as precision plastic parts
    • Welding, gluing and joining processes

    Their advantages are obvious: 

    • Increased productivity with consistent quality
    • Reduced manual intervention
    • Adaptability thanks to programmable processes
  • View of a fully automated testing and assembly cell with robot arms, conveyor technology and a monitor showing the test result of a component. The system is located in a modern production hall and is used for precise quality control.

    Automated placement systems
     

    Automated feeding and placement units ensure that every part is in the right place at the right time. This is particularly important for complex products such as hybrid components or plug-in contacts.

    The advantages are

    • Reduced downtimes
    • Minimisation of misplacement
    • Increased production speed
  • Automated inspection system with round conveyor and connected monitor that displays inspection data and analyses for small parts. The industrial system is used for quality control, sorting and counting, for example of connecting elements such as tubular rivets or stamped parts.

    Inline inspection stations for quality in real time

    Modern inspection stations are integrated directly into the production flow. They recognise deviations immediately - even before faulty parts are processed further.

    This enables 

    • 100% inspection of safety-critical components
    • Seamless documentation of all test values
    • Automatic rejection of non-compliant components
  • A female employee performs a manual quality inspection in a production hall, checking a component using a measuring fixture. Her focused expression emphasizes the precision of the process.

  • Quality assurance as an integral part of automation

    Quality does not just begin at the end of the production process, but is an integral part of every stage of production. With an intelligent automation concept, tests can be integrated efficiently and purposefully.

    More about Quality