RobotWorx Blog Series
RobotWorx has written an article exploring the advantages of automating with industrial robots. It’s no surprise that over the last few years there has been a monumental shift to implement automation. Companies across multiple industries have been encouraged to incorporate smart manufacturing within their facilities. We agree that automation is the future. Technology like Offline Robot Programming (OLRP) can help bring additional efficiencies to facilities. By programming robot functions in a virtual, offline environment, OLRP eliminates the need for robots to be taken off production, improving productivity and the bottom line. Discover the many advantages of automating with industrial robots revealed by RobotWorx.
Article originally published on RobotWorx's blog.
Industry 4.0, or what some may call the “fourth industrial revolution", is the next technical revolution. It proceeds the previous three industrial revolutions of steam/water power, electricity, and electronics. Industry 4.0 takes on the third industrial revolution and expands on its automation and “smart” possibilities. Examples of this can be found all around us, as companies start to incorporate smart manufacturing into their production. As a result, robots are exponentially being incorporated into factories; Bringing with them incredible precision, productivity, and flexibility. Additionally, factories are seeing an increase in collaborative robots that can work hand-in-hand with people to increase flexibility and efficiency. An Industrial Internet of Things is on the rise.
The international market value for robotic systems estimated at around 21.83 billion US dollars in 2019 and is projected to reach 66.48 billion by 2027. Now is the time to join industry 4.0 and reap the advantages.
Decreased Production Costs: A quick return on investment (ROI) outweighs the initial setup costs. Throughput speeds increase with industrial robots and directly impact production. By 2025, the United States is predicted to save over 22% in labor costs from implementing industrial robotics.
Increased Production: A lean manufacturing line is crucial for increasing efficiency. An automated robot can work at a constant speed without pausing for breaks, sleep, or vacations. A business can turn its operations from 8 to 12 hour days to 24/7.
Improved Quality Reliability: All robots sold by RobotWorx must pass a strict repeatability & payload test, guaranteeing applications are performed with precision and repeatability. It ensures the product is manufactured the same every time.
Better Floor Space Utilization: By decreasing the footprint of a work area by automating parts of your production line, you can utilize the floor space for other operations and make the process flow more efficient.
Improved Quality: Robot accuracy reduces the number of quality defects, decreasing costs of waste, and rework. A person working monotonous tasks may experience “workers fatigue” and create rejects from products manufactured incorrectly. A robot eliminates this problem, creating less product waste.
Attract More Customers: Automation helps provide the highest throughput with the least amount of spending. With the reduction in schedule and cost, your company will attract more clients. When integrating an industrial robot into production, you can increase the variety of products offered. This was the case with our client Crystal Coast Composites, who can now offer clients an expanded list of products.
Increased Safety: Robots increase workplace safety & ergonomics by shifting workers out of dangerous or repetitive tasks. There are a variety of safety options on the market today that will keep workers safe when interacting with robots.
Multiple Applications: Automation in the manufacturing industry is the process of integrating industrial machinery to automatically perform a variety of applications such as welding, material handling, packing, palletizing, dispensing, cutting, etc. With automation, it is possible for one robot to perform multiple applications. With any big financial decision, it is important to be aware of some of the difficulties you may encounter. The Sales & Applications Engineers at RobotWorx are here to help overcome these challenges.
Understanding the Initial Investment: The initial investment of integrating robotics into your business can be significant, especially when business owners are limiting their purchases to new robotic equipment only. The cost of robotic automation should be calculated in light of a business’s greater financial budget. Regular maintenance and associate training-needs can have a financial toll as well.
Identifying Your Needs: Incorporating industrial robots does not guarantee results. Devising a specific production plan from the beginning to the end is crucial. If a company has a bottleneck farther down the line, incorporating automation may not help achieve the goals needed. Here is a simple ROI calculator to help you decide if automating would be of benefit to your company.
Understanding the Importance of Training: Employees will require training for programming and interacting with the new robotic equipment. This normally takes time and financial output. Fortunately, at RobotWorx, we provide training, a warranty, and customer support.
About RobotWorx
RobotWorx offers high-quality new and reconditioned industrial robots, parts, systems, and integration for both large and small companies throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Australia. They have over 25 years of experience integrating robotic systems for a large variety of applications. They are an official FANUC Authorized System Integrator, Yaskawa Motoman Solution Provider, ABB Robotics Integrator, and KUKA Robotics System Partner.