Use robotics to take a firm grip on production flexibility
Once the preserve of high-volume operations at automotive plants , we ’ re today finding that robots are infiltrating all sectors of the commercial world . Even beyond traditional manufacturing , inspection and packaging operations , we see robots fulfilling tasks that extend from mining and space exploration , through to surgery and laboratory research , and even fruit picking . With such a vast repertoire of applications , the robots of today need one principal attribute : flexibility . Much of this flexibility comes courtesy of the end-of . arm tooling ( gripper ), which means there are many factors to bear in mind when selecting a gripper technology supplier , not least breadth of portfolio , proven customisation capabilities and high levels of customer support .
We all know that automobile factories have been running on automation for many years . This sector also remains a key driver of robotics sales worldwide . Aside from welding and painting , the automotive industry deploys robots for tasks that include assembly , trimming , cutting , part transfer and machine tending , to list but a few .
Taking note of the progress made by automotive plants is a growing selection of other industries , including food , beverage , life science and agriculture , all of which are increasing their robot uptake in order to drive up productivity , efficiency , staff safety , product quality and revenue . In short , there is additional focus on making production lines more flexible and better able to efficiently achieve high-mix , lower-volume production in response to constantly evolving customer demands .
NEW INDUSTRIES DRIVE DEMAND According to a McKinsey report , 88 % 62 FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk
Robot in a packaging application with wireless communication to ensure reliable serial communication and flexibility when changing the end-of-arm tool ( EOAT )
Marcus Mazetti , Global Account Manager , SMC Sweden
of businesses worldwide plan to introduce robotic automation into their infrastructure . With so many new industries driving sales , Mordor Intelligence reports that the global robotics market could reach $ 74.1 billion by 2026 ( up from 27.73 billion in 2020 ), registering a CAGR of 17.45 %. However , while the future looks bright for those in the robotics arena , we know from experience that there are certain prerequisites which underline success in sectors other than automotive .
Whereas robots in the high-volume automotive arena typically perform a single task , flexibility is the key word for non-automotive robot applications . Here , users assign robots to different tasks that may change regularly . For those of you thinking that programming is an issue in high-mix , low-volume manufacturing environments , think again . Robot OEMs , cobot ( collaborative robot ) specialists and software companies are today providing solutions that ensure straightforward programming , to the point where even operators with little or no experience can generate motion paths in next to no time .
AI AND ML
While we are all aware that robots perform repetitive tasks more efficiently than humans , there ’ s a new trend here : with AI ( artificial intelligence ) and ML ( machine learning ), robots are able to think , learn and draw accurate conclusions without the help of their human colleagues . It ’ s an exciting prospect for industry across the board , particularly when you consider that robots can support the shift to Industry 4.0 / digitalisation , largely because they outperform traditional motion systems in complex tasks .