How Are Cobots Transforming Manufacturing?
Published on : Tuesday 09-04-2024
Cobots hold great promise for manufacturers to enhance their operations and achieve their automation goals, says Vivek Kumar.
The manufacturing industry is witnessing a rapid shift toward automation. In this growing sphere of manufacturing, cobots (collaborative robots) play a pivotal role, revolutionising the industry by seamlessly integrating automated processes into operations. Cobots work alongside humans, boosting their skills and capabilities.
Cobots are versatile and adaptable to different operational needs. They are making their marks from manufacturing to logistics, handling tasks like assembly, precision machine tending, inventory management, and data-driven precision in quality control.
Why do manufacturers look for collaborative robots?
Several companies are deploying cobots in their factory functions to improve their production. Let us have a look at the reasons why collaborative robots have become companies’ hotcakes.
Cobots offer flexibility
● Collaborative robots are highly flexible and easily programmable. This feature allows them to perform a wide range of tasks in diverse industries.
● Cobots can be quickly reprogrammed and redeployed for different applications, making them ideal for environments where production needs may change frequently.
Cobots are user-friendly
● Cobots are compact robots designed to be user-friendly, with intuitive interfaces that enable non-experts to program and operate them with minimal training.
● This accessibility also minimises the barrier to entry for SMEs that may not have the resources to invest in complex robotic systems.
Cobots are cost-effective
● In comparison to traditional industrial robots that often require significant capital investment and infrastructure modifications, cobots are more affordable and easier to integrate into existing workflows.
● Businesses can lease or rent cobots with flexible financial options.
Cobots lower labour and skills shortages
● As labour and skills shortages are crucial factors affecting manufacturing businesses across markets, cobots come in and stand tall. They can help companies boost their production capacity and output without looking for more employees.
● Cobots can also help manufacturers by freeing workers from repetitive and physically challenging tasks, creating safer working environments.
Technological Advancements of Cobots
● Advances in robotics technology, such as enhanced sensors, AI and ML algorithms, continue to improve the capabilities of collaborative robots making them more versatile and intelligent.
What makes cobots different from traditional industrial robots?
While both are valuable assets for automation, there are certain things that distinguish cobots from traditional industrial robots.
● Ease of use and programming
● Flexibility and adaptability
● Safety and interaction
● Cost-effectiveness
● Integration with existing infrastructure, and
● Workforce training and skill gap.
How to successfully implement collaborative robotics?
Collaborative robots (cobots) account for approximately 5% of the global industrial robot market. According to the research from Interact Analysis, the market is projected to be around 30% by 2027.
Let us explore how businesses can successfully deploy cobots to enhance their operations and achieve their automation goals effectively.
Identifying the needs: Businesses need to understand the specific tasks and processes within their operations that could benefit from automation using cobots. They must identify the areas where cobots can improve efficiency, productivity, safety, or quality.
Performing risk assessment: Businesses should perform a thorough risk assessment to identify potential hazards and risks associated with deploying cobots in their workplace.
Selecting the right cobots: It is important to choose cobot models that are well-suited to your business application requirements, including payload capacity, reach, speed, and precision.
Other components that must be considered when implementing cobots include compatibility of cobots with existing infrastructure, training and education, programming and configuration, and safety measures.
Conclusion
As technology continues to advance, the growing adoption of cobots stems from their ability to enhance productivity and improve workplace safety while providing flexible automation solutions to meet the evolving needs of modern manufacturing. Thus, it is clear that cobots hold great promise for manufacturers to enhance their operations and achieve their automation goals effectively.
Vivek Kumar is a content writer with a working experience of over 4 years. He has experience in writing on a range of topics in the area of technology, education, besides sports writing.
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