Apkudo has helped customers across the globe launch automation that reshapes how they process mobile devices. The journey is both exciting and complex. Installing the Robotic Full Automation (RFA) Line involves detailed planning, close coordination, and a shared understanding of goals and requirements.
Let’s walk through each step of a standard installation: the phases, timeline, expectations, and what drives a successful customer go-live.
The path to a fully operational RFA line spans nine structured phases, from initial discussions to project closeout. While every project is customized (including customer-driven layout design), the process remains consistent, ensuring predictability and quality for every implementation.
Securing your equipment early is a critical first step in a successful RFA project. These systems involve a manufacturing and assembly queue, and equipment can only be reserved once a formal commitment is made.
Locking in your equipment early guarantees your place on our production schedule and ensures we can meet the launch dates you’re aiming for, setting the stage for a smooth, on-time implementation.
Before any equipment moves or contracts are signed, the foundation for a successful project is laid.
During initial discussions, we review project proposals and explore your operational goals, expected value, and initial ideas for line configuration—setting the stage for a smooth collaboration.
Next, during initial onboarding, we formalize the contractual framework, finalizing the Master Service Agreement (MSA), Statement of Work (SOW).
An early review of the proposed line layout ensures both teams clearly understand the operational, technical, and commercial structure before the project officially kicks off.
With contracts signed, planning takes center stage. The joint project team is identified and approved, and the official project kickoff signals the start of coordinated efforts.
During this phase, we confirm needed steps and implementation timeline, and conduct a thorough process audit and facility walkthrough. This ensures everyone shares a common understanding of what will be built and why it matters.
We begin by approving customer site readiness plans, securing purchase approvals, and procuring long-lead components. Recruitment and onboarding for your on-site support team occur simultaneously with training for support engineering.
This groundwork ensures that people, resources, and plans are in place—an essential step for automation success.
Once procurement is complete and after contract signature, shipping begins immediately, with international transport typically taking six to twelve weeks. Customs and certifications generally take an additional one to three weeks.
Simultaneously, facility preparations are underway: network, power, and compressed air systems are readied, rigging is installed, conduit and power distribution lines are prepared, and contractors are secured to avoid delays.
This careful preparation ensures that when equipment arrives, it can be seamlessly integrated.
When the equipment reaches your site, the physical transformation begins. Crates are unboxed, RFA cells are positioned and secured according to the agreed layout, and conveyors, line interfaces, and optional ingress/egress sections are connected. Cell controllers and system connections are verified, and detailed testing confirms the system is performing as expected.
At this stage, your automation line starts to take shape, transitioning from concept to operational reality.
With installation complete, the technical foundation is finalized. System access is configured, network readiness is confirmed, and the included Prep Stations undergo complete testing and signoff.
This ensures that when calibration begins, the system is ready to process devices accurately, consistently, and efficiently.
This critical phase is where the system is tuned to your operational needs. Every testing station—cleaning, cosmetic, display, camera, and audio—is carefully aligned and calibrated. An overall performance review and a functional failure review confirm that the system delivers the expected results when using your own devices.
At the end of this phase, customers truly see the RFA line performing at full capability.
With calibration complete, the line enters structured trial operations. Pre-production trials run supervised batches while daily data reviews track performance, stability, accuracy, and throughput. User Acceptance Testing (UAT) formally verifies that the system meets operational standards.
Once UAT successfully concludes, the RFA line is ready to enter full production, marking a successful transition from installation to live operation.
Once production is underway, support shifts into operational mode. The team validates ongoing account coverage, enables monitoring and KPI reporting, and activates support teams to ensure seamless operations. Performance is closely watched—from grading results and functional test outcomes to UPH and overall line stability.
This phase ensures the line maintains its expected performance and is positioned for long-term success.
As the project wraps up, the combined team completes a structured closeout that reviews project performance, overall results, and any risks or issues encountered along the way. Key lessons are captured, with clear ownership assigned for follow-up actions.
Each project becomes part of a continuous cycle of refinement—for both teams and the project itself. The customer’s project team has documented project results, early successes, and focus areas for improvement as their automation line is continually enhanced.
As many of Apkudo’s customers scale their operational lines, both in terms of volume and capacity, their teams will have documentation to ensure an even more seamless implementation as they add more automation to their operations.
Meanwhile, Apkudo’s project team uses its learnings to strengthen standardization and reduce development time for future installations.
Note that actual durations may vary by region, facility readiness, and customer-driven customization requirements.
Across dozens of global projects, Apkudo has found that the key to a successful implementation is a collaborative mindset. Automation impacts nearly every aspect of an operation—from workflows to workforce—and requires careful coordination across teams.
Projects move faster and run smoothly when stakeholders engage early, communicate clearly, and collaborate openly.
Implementing an RFA line is one of the most strategic decisions a device-processing operation can make. It speeds throughput, increases accuracy, unlocks data-driven decision-making, and enables scale that manual processes simply cannot support.
Our job is to make this transition predictable, repeatable, and—most importantly—successful. The steps above outline exactly how we do it and what you can expect as a customer.
If you're planning to introduce a high-velocity automation line into your operations, or simply want to understand what the journey looks like, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
