Robotics

By Daniel Carranco Director, Continuous Improvement Global Shop Solutions Manufacturers are looking to lower cost and increase speed without sacrificing quality. This means getting more done in less time, with less manpower, less scrap and fewer mistakes. To do this, the manufacturing industry is investing more in automation. Specifically, automating the processes and tasks that machines can do quicker and better than humans and integrating them with a company’s ERP system and other technology. What once seemed to be the stuff of science fiction – manufacturing plants run by robots – is already a reality. FANUC Corporation of Japan uses a workforce of robots working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to produce up to 23,000 robots a month. Most manufacturers are a long way from being able to automate the majority of their production processes. But as ongoing advances enable machines and humans to get better at talking to each other, more production lines and eventually more production plants will become more and more automated. If your manufacturing business hasn’t yet jumped on the automation bandwagon, it’s time, and here are the top five reasons why you should. 1.To reduce labor costs For most manufacturers, labor costs represent the biggest expense and hardest cost to manage (or reduce). It’s no surprise that companies around the globe have begun using automated machinery and equipment to replace human workers on assembly lines. For example, automation is already replacing human labor in areas such as picking and moving parts, assembly, inspection and more. Other examples where automation is producing significant reductions in labor costs include: BOM COMPARE. Reduces expensive engineering time by eliminating the manual comparing of CAD/CAM BOMs against existing BOMs in your ERP system. Improves the speed and reliability of employee software logins and inventory tracking. AUTOMATING PURCHASING. […]

Manufacturers are incorporating robots into their operations at a significant rate, and given the many benefits that industrial automation has, this is only set to increase. With this growing popularity, industrial robots are available in a huge range of configurations and sizes, with different numbers of axes for a range of applications. Robots can move on anywhere between one and seven axes, with more axes offering more flexibility of movement. However, despite the growing accessibility of robot in industry, it can still be difficult to know which type of robot out of the many now available is the best choice for an application. Traditionally, when someone thinks of an industrial robot, they will picture a robotic arm. These are articulated robots and can mimic the actions of a human arm thanks to their directional control and large range of movement. Other types of robots, such as Cartesian robots or four-axis models such as SCARA robots are more limited, often only able to move on two to four axes. These robots are suited to many applications and certainly have their benefits, but the restrictions on motion can be an issue when more sophisticated movements are required. This is when an articulated robot is a better option. Articulated robots, including six and seven-axis robots, can move vertically and horizontally, but are also able to roll, pitch and yaw —they can rotate around the X, Y and Z axes. This gives them additional range and flexibility. They are typically mounted on a pedestal, with articulation points in the base, body, arm, shoulder, and wrist. This also allows them to work at differing levels and between planes, offering more versatility of motion sequence. Articulated robots are more capable of intricate or complex processes such as automotive assembly due to this ability to accurately manoeuvre. […]

 Technology has embedded so deeply in our daily lives that it has become difficult to imagine a time when we lived without the benefits of the information age.  Robotics, for example, has been around for decades and has forever changed professions, companies, and entire industries around the world. Machines have introduced enhanced efficiency, precision, and reliability, minimising the financial drawbacks and operational difficulties that sometimes stem from human error, according to Konica Minolta.  Matthew Hunter, innovation product marketing manager, Konica Minolta, said, “Today, people coexist with robots and the relationship is one that lets us streamline responsibilities, enhance capabilities and provides more time to strive toward innovation and greatness. This is seen around the world with some industries benefiting from their relationships with robots.” Four of the industries that have been revolutionised by robots: Military and defence. Warfare and home defence is longer a matter of amassing people to fight face to face.  For years now, the Australian Defence Force has adopted robotic war strategies to maximise combat efficiency and minimise human risk. This has included investing in robotics like autonomous security drones, unmanned aerial and ground vehicles, and digital weapons that incorporate computerised sight and automated firing technology. These developments in modern warfare now make up a growing part of the military to provide security, surveillance, and combat capabilities that significantly reduce the risk to soldiers and enhance military intelligence. Delivery and distribution Warehouses that were once run by clipboards, forklifts, and manual labour have now streamlined item logistics thanks to robots. From product loading and unloading to packing and sorting, warehouse robotics add value to warehousing operations by automating the execution of menial, repetitive tasks, letting human workers focus on more complicated tasks. For example, item transportation within a warehouse no longer requires someone to awkwardly manoeuvre a heavy trolley around hazards. Instead, mobile industrial robots can automate the internal transportation of heavy loads and pallets with greater cost effectiveness and an increased ability to withstand dust particles and fluids. These types of robots handle labour-intensive tasks that can often lead to fatigue, which may lead to injury or lapses in judgment, and can complete tasks that would have […]

Though industrial robots have their individual strengths, manufacturers should consider the requirements of their application before deciding which to purchase. The payload, stroke length, precision and flexibility needed will all influence whether a linear or articulated robot is the right choice. The existing infrastructure should also be a factor, and which type of robot would integrate more effectively.  Three of the most popular robot types are Cartesian, six-axis and SCARA robots. Cartesian Robots Cartesian robots are a common choice in industrial applications. They operate by moving along three orthogonal axes using the Cartesian Coordinate system. They are also known as linear robots, as they move in a straight line along a support frame, rather than rotating. Cartesian robots do not offer as much in terms of flexibility as articulated robots. They are an excellent choice for processes that require strength and reliability, but for applications requiring more degrees of freedom, an articulated robot may be more suitable. The rectangular work envelope on a Cartesian robot means that more of its footprint is active workspace, with no ‘dead zone’. This is more circular in a six-axis robot, meaning that there is more dead space, but the larger number of axes allows more range in the types of movement that can be done. The footprint of a Cartesian robot is well defined and thus can be easily integrated into existing infrastructure. They may require a lot of space to install and run but can be mounted overhead or on walls depending on the size, saving space on the ground floor. Speed is another important factor to consider — speed impacts cycle times, so the speed capabilities of the robot should fit manufacturer requirements in terms of productivity and output. Cartesian robots are a great choice for processes requiring high speed and fast […]