CONTROL & AUTOMATION
A ‘SMART’ FACTORY FLOOR
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
ENSURING THE SUCCESS OF THE ‘COBOTICS’
MOVEMENT IN 2020
Robots are being used to carry out tasks
previously performed by humans, but
in just a fraction of the time. Robots are
being applied to the food and beverage
industry to assist in functions including;
packing, handling, quality control and even
maintenance.
THE EXPLOSION OF ‘COBOTICS’
Like many industrial processes, food and
drink production is always at risk from
human error, which can cause downtime,
poor quality and product loss, ultimately
increasing costs. To minimise these risks
and protect the production line, we are
seeing the introduction of ‘cobotics’ -
compact, easy-to-use and collaborative
robots to work alongside humans.
By Martin Walder, VP Industrial Automation
at Schneider Electric
With the UK manufacturing industry
under increasing pressure to deliver more
at a lower cost, the coming years will
see manufacturers take steps to create a
completely ‘smart’ factory floor.
Thanks to recent advancements in
technologies, most notably with the
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), using
smart technology is feasible for a greater
number of manufacturers. However, a truly
‘smart factory’ is one that is completely
digitised with a high level of automation
and connectivity throughout its whole
supply chain.
There is a significant increase in the
demands for robots, and indeed
cobots, as a result of rising wages
and skill shortages. As automation
developers introduce better sensing/
vision capabilities, ever more complex
applications can be tackled. More
responsive safety systems will also allow
cobots to work alongside humans with
greater flexibility, improving productivity,
hygiene and safety.
48
PECM Issue 42
As automation developers introduce better
sensing capability and more responsive
safety systems, the application of robotic
equipment in this space will only increase –
paving the way for improved interaction so
that complex processes can be completed
faster, more easily and more safely.
With this change comes an additional
benefit for a skills-poor industry struggling
to attract engineering expertise. The
cobotics movement doesn’t replace
humans, rather it simply frees up highly
skilled workers time for more value-add
activity.
MINIMISING THE RISKS
We are beginning to see how this
collaboration can minimise risks to
employees working on the factory
floor. Robots are able to perform more
dangerous and repetitive jobs that can
often be hazardous for humans, such
cutting and slicing. In turn, this allows
workers to apply their skills elsewhere. It
also eases the social implications of the
trend, ensuring the two parties can work
in harmony towards productivity goals,
while tackling the problem of engineering
expertise retiring out of the workforce.
With increasingly sophisticated sensors
and more highly functional robotic
equipment, the collaboration between
humans and machines on the factory
floor is imperative to ensure uniformity
and efficiency. This is because robots not
only reduce the chances of human error,
but also because they manage resources
to achieve the best margin. For example,
food manufacturers such as bakers have
started to notice increased productivity
and quality as a result of incorporating
smart technologies into their equipment.
Connecting these devices has shown it is
possible to control speed, precision and
the volume of ingredients, combining high
turnover with consistent quality.
THE JOURNEY TO SUCCESS
For food manufacturers to ensure that they
are getting the most out of their food lines,
it’s important that they implement robotics
and analytics. Ultimately, the only way to
protect the food line from human error or
equipment failure is to gather a greater
insight into processes – with the capability
to react in real-time. If we are to progress
and take manufacturing to the next level,
incorporating robotics into the production
line is a vital part of this and the health and
longevity of the sector relies on it.
For the ‘robotics and cobotics’ movement
to thrive, we must educate our workforce
on its benefits and capabilities. With
greater understanding, will come greater
implementation and proficiency. Over
the next ten years, we expect to see it
proliferate and manufacturers to reap the
benefits of greater efficiency, profitability
and performance. At the same time,
any manufacturing operations that do
not adopt digital technologies will get
marginalised – if not lost. Ultimately,
legacy/non-connected technologies do
not fit into the digital ecosystem, where
analysis and optimisation are fundamental.
We are set to see more manufacturers
recognise the true benefits of smart
manufacturing. In the meantime, increased
data insights and connectivity will lay solid
foundations for new, and more effective
business models.
www.se.com/uk/en