Choosing the right Manufacturing robots for your needs

What are Manufacturing robots and what can they do?

Manufacturing robots are machines which can perform repetitive tasks with speed, precision, and consistency. They're ideal for hazardous or tedious jobs humans can&#;t or don&#;t want to do. Robots can:

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• Assemble products with intricate components like electronics or medical devices.
• Handle heavy, awkward or dangerous materials without risking worker injury.
• Work continuously without breaks.
• Improve productivity and quality.

When choosing a robot, consider your needs and budget. Options range from simple pick-and-place robots which will repeatedly move objects from one location to another, to sophisticated robots with vision systems and machine learning capabilities which can see, think and make decisions.

• Articulated robots, most commonly found in the form of a Six-Axis robotic arm, have multiple joints and can handle complex assembly. They offer flexibility but at a higher cost.
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• Cartesian or linear robots move along an X, Y, and Z axis, good for simple pick and place or dispensing applications. More affordable but less flexible. Often, these robots are attached to a ceiling gantry and follow a predetermined track, freeing up space on your shop floor.
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• SCARA (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) robots have two parallel axes and are ideal for assembly and packaging. They provide speed and precision at a lower cost than Articulated robots.
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• Collaborative robots or "Cobots" work safely alongside humans. They tend to be smaller than non-collaborative peers but are endlessly flexible, easy to program and inexpensive. Great for small assembly tasks.

Leading robotics companies include FANUC, Yaskawa, ABB, Standard Bots and Universal Robots. Research each vendor and their various models to determine what best suits your needs and budget. With the variety of options available, there&#;s likely a robot that can help optimize your manufacturing operations.

The future is automated, so start exploring how robotics can benefit your business today!

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7 key considerations when choosing a Manufacturing robot

Choosing the right Manufacturing robot is a big decision. These advanced machines can streamline your operations and boost productivity, but only if you select one that truly fits your needs. Here are six key things to consider:

• Application and task. What exactly do you want the robot to do? Assembly, welding, painting, packaging and palletizing are common use cases in a manufacturing environment. Some robots are designed for specific applications, while others are more flexible. Think about the precise movements and tasks required.
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• End Effector: End effectors, or &#;grippers&#;, refer to the device attached to the end of your robot which allows it to carry out a given task. This can range from a simple jaw gripper to complex, single-task end-effectors like a drill, a sander or even a glue gun. 
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• Payload and reach. Payload refers to the maximum weight a robot can lift and move, while reach indicates how far it can extend to access its working area. Make sure any robot you're considering can handle the necessary payloads and has a suitable reach for your facility layout and production line. Remember, the payload will include the weight of your selected end-effector.
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• Environment. Consider the environment the robot will operate in. Some are rated for clean rooms, some for outdoor use, and others for hazardous locations with flammable materials or chemicals. Choose a robot that is properly sealed and rated for your specific environment.
  
  If your robot is going to be working around humans, you may want to use a Collaborative Robot which has built-in safety features like automatic collision detection.
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• Mobility. Will your robot remain in a stationary position while working? If you need a robot that can move between multiple workstations, look at wheeled, rail-mounted or Autonomous Mobile robots. Fixed-base robots are cheaper but stationary.
  
  Decide if the added cost of mobility and the additional complexity of programming is worth the increased flexibility. For most applications, a stationary robot with a movable base is the right balance of mobility, flexibility and cost.
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• Interfaces. How will the robot interface with other equipment like conveyors, presses or quality control systems? Check that it offers the necessary interfaces, software and programming capabilities to properly integrate with your other manufacturing machinery. Complex integrations can quickly rack up initial investment costs.
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• Budget. Of course, budget is always a consideration. Robot prices can range from $25,000 up to $500,000 or more for large, high-precision or heavy-payload units. Compare prices and capabilities to find an option that gives you the best value for your investment.
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With some upfront evaluation of your needs and options, you can choose a Manufacturing robot that will help take your operations to the next level of efficiency and productivity. The right robot is out there, you just have to find it!

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Top 4 Manufacturing robotics companies

ABB

ABB is one of the world&#;s largest robotics manufacturers, based out of Switzerland and producing over 300,000 robots installed worldwide. Their robotics division provides Manufacturing robots for tasks like welding, material handling, assembly, and packaging. Some of their most popular models are the IRB , IRB , and YuMi.

YuMi is ABB&#;s collaborative dual-arm robot designed to work safely alongside humans. It&#;s ideal for small parts assembly, testing and sorting, and light industrial processes. The IRB is ABB&#;s largest robot, designed for heavy-duty applications like automotive body construction, aerospace part handling, and die casting.

The IRB is ABB&#;s most versatile and widely used robot, suitable for a range of industrial tasks at a lower price point.

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FANUC

FANUC is a Japanese pioneer in industrial automation and robotics. They produce over 500 robot models used for tasks such as welding, painting, assembly, pick and place, palletizing, and packaging. Their robots are used extensively in the automotive industry but are also popular for general industrial automation.

Some of FANUC&#;s most popular robotics include the R-iC, M-20iA, and LR Mate series. The R-iC is FANUC&#;s flagship robot, offering high performance and reliability for heavy-duty jobs. The M-20iA and M-10iA are smaller, table-top robots ideal for compact workspaces.

FANUC&#;s LR Mate series offers collaborative lightweight robots for work alongside humans. They have payloads up to 35 kg and 6 axes of motion.

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KUKA

Germany-based KUKA is one of the biggest robotics companies globally, with over 200,000 robots installed. They produce Industrial robots for manufacturing automation, especially in the automotive industry. However, their robots are also used in general industry, healthcare, consumer goods, and more.

Some of KUKA's most well-known robots are the KR Quantec, KR Cybertech, and LBR iiwa. The KR Quantec is KUKA&#;s heavy-duty robot, capable of lifting up 1,300 kg. The KR Cybertech is Kuka's precise, fast, and compact robot.

The LBR iiwa is KUKA&#;s lightweight Collaborative robot, designed to work directly with humans. It has 7 axes of movement and haptic sensors to detect contact with people or objects.

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Standard Bots

Standard Bots is headquartered in New York and builds each of its robots in a US-based facility. While Standard Bots is much younger than the incumbents mentioned above, they have quickly established themselves as a go-to choice for manufacturers with CNC milling, machine tending and welding requirements.

Their flagship robot, RO1, is capable of lifting 18 kg - a heavier payload than any other robot in its class - as well as moving faster and more precisely than competitors. Despite this, RO1 starts from $5/hour and is programmable without any prior coding knowledge.

As the world of technology advances, more and more jobs are being replaced by machines or robots through innovations like assembly line automation. Take manufacturing companies, for instance. For some time now, they have been using different forms of automation to ease the process of manufacturing products, while at the same time reducing costs. Automation can involve anything from robots that do the welding and painting to machines that dispense the right amount of glue or fasteners.

In many cases, automation has proven to be more efficient and accurate than manual labor. For example, robots don&#;t get tired and can work for longer hours without making mistakes. They can also be easily programmed to carry out specific tasks in warehouses and manufacturing plants.

The Pros and Cons of Automatic and Manual Assembly Lines

While automation has many advantages, there are still some companies that rely on manual labor. Here is a look at the pros and cons of both types of assembly lines:

• Manual assembly lines

  are slower and less accurate than automated lines. They also require more manpower, which can be costly.

• Automated assembly lines

  are faster and more accurate than manual lines. They also require less manpower, which can save money in the long run.

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In the end, it is up to the company to decide which type of assembly line is best for them. However, most experts agree that automation is the way of the future and that companies should consider it for their assembly lines.

The Types of Automation Used in An Assembly Line

Automation has become an important part of assembly lines. It helps speed up the process and produce high-quality products. There are many types of automation, each with its own set of advantages, whether it&#;s a hard, programmable, or soft type of automation in the assembly line. 

Here is a look at some of the most common types:

• Robots

  are widely used in assembly lines because they are efficient and accurate. They can work for longer hours without making mistakes.

• Machines

  are used to dispense the right amount of glue or fasteners, among other things. They are precise and can save time and money.

• Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

  are used to move materials or products from one place to another. They are small vehicles that move along a pre-programmed path and can transport anything from boxes to pallets.

• Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

  is the term used to refer to all the machines, computers, sensors, and other devices that are connected through the internet.

• Collaborative robots

  , or cobots, are robots that work together with humans. They are safe to work around and can be used for a variety of tasks.

Each type of automation has its own advantages and disadvantages, which can offer unique gains to an assembly line relative to their respective industries. That being said, a company with the size and scalability to afford automation should consider it as a viable option towards growth.

The Advantages of Assembly Line Automation

There are many advantages to using an automated assembly line. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Speed

  &#; Automated assembly lines are much faster than manual lines. This means that products can be produced at a faster rate and with less manpower.

• Accuracy

  &#; Automated assembly lines are more accurate than manual lines. This means fewer mistakes are made and products can be produced more efficiently.

• Less Labor

  &#; Automated assembly lines require less manpower than manual lines. Since robots do not get tired, they work for longer hours without making mistakes. They can also carry out specific tasks that would otherwise have to be done manually by multiple people.

• Safety

  &#; Automated assembly lines are safe to use. They do not require any manual labor with dangerous applications.

• Cost

  &#; Automated assembly lines are more expensive than manual lines. However, they save money in the long run because they are more efficient and accurate.

The Application of Collaborative Robots in an Automated Assembly Line

One of the advantages of cobots is that they can be used for both manual and automated tasks. This makes them a versatile tool for assembly lines. They can be used to help humans with tasks that are too difficult or dangerous for them to do manually. 

This is a recent trend which has been taken up by a lot of companies, primarily because of the rewards it offers, especially in the long run. Any person who&#;s done an assembly line job knows that sometimes the monotonous work can be difficult, so having automated machines or robots that can take over part of your job can be a relief. 

As a business owner, manifesting the vision of utilizing automated assembly lines can transform the way things are done. The main advantage is that there&#;s less need for human labor, leading to reduced expenses. Automated machines and robots can also do the job more accurately than a human, so you&#;re less likely to have any defective products. 

Another benefit is that it makes the work environment safer because there&#;s no need for manual labor. If anything, workers get to focus on more critical tasks as cobots take on the monotonous steps in the production process. 

Finally, automated assembly lines are faster than manual ones, so churning out more products in a shorter amount of time becomes a reality. Overall, there are many advantages to using an automated assembly line in your company. So, if you&#;re looking for a way to improve your production process, then this might be the solution for you.

With Techman Robot, the pioneering collaborative robot and visions technology company, your business can tap into the potential that the future offers and implement it into the processes of today. Feel free to check out our blogs for more topics on manufacturing automation, cobots, and Industry 4.0.

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