In
this chapter, we’ll explore the possibilities provided by collaborative
robots. This will be useful when we start looking around
the factory floor for places with automation potential.
Although
collaborative robots are a new technology, this does not mean that they
are necessarily complex. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. While
traditional robots have evolved
to satisfy the need for high volume industries, collaborative robots
have been designed for the challenges of high mix manufacturing found in
all SMEs.
Just like traditional robots, collaborative robots can:
-
Move parts around
-
Follow a path to perform a process
-
Work autonomously for extended periods of time, increasing productivity and quality
But unlike traditional industrial robots, collaborative robots:
-
Are
simple and fast to program by non-experts. Think - half a day of onsite
training, compared to 2-days of offsite classes for industrial robots.
-
Have a small footprint. Most applications don't require fencing.
-
Are simple to integrate for the simple tasks. These are the tasks you should start with.
-
Can be repurposed easily for new tasks.
The
bottom line is that with collaborative robots it is possible to do the
same tasks that you would do with industrial robots, but with a smaller,
less risky investment and a greater
flexibility.
Typical Applications
Here are a couple of examples of what can be done using collaborative robots:
-
Machine
Tending: Placing a part in a machine for processing. The robot can load
and unload the part, hence freeing the operator from this redundant
task.
-
Pick-and-place:
Moving a part from the output of one process to the input of the next.
For example, grabbing parts from a bin and ordering them on a tray. Here
again, this is a non-value added
task that frees the operator.
-
Lightweight
applications: Most applications that can be done by a human without
requiring dexterity can be done by a collaborative robot. A great
application for full human-robot collaboration
is where the robot is moving the part and the operator is using his/her
dexterity to assemble the part.
However, before going hog wild and buying just any robot, you need to know which applications are best suited for automation.
What's next:
Here are the upcoming chapters in our 5-step practical guide:
-
Week 2: Identify potential processes or tasks for automation.
-
Week 3: Get the team on board with robots.
-
Week 4: Assess your potential applications.
-
Week 5: Get management on board with robots.
We hope you find this series useful in getting your first robotics cell in your factory.
