Collaborative robots have revolutionized the automotive industry. By being incredibly affordable, these robotic systems have lowered the barriers to entry. They have made it easier for startups to not only launch, but also effectively compete in the industry. The resultant effect is that they have allowed for an overall increase in the rate of innovation.
However, this does not mean that the only companies that can benefit from these robots are startups. Even established companies can take advantage of the convenience and flexibility that these automotive robots provide. The following are some of the areas in which deploying collaborative robots can be really beneficial for an established company.
Spot and arc welding
It is normal for companies to use traditional industrial robots to weld heavy panels and surfaces. As for the lighter parts that need more precision or a more delicate touch, they always tend to use human beings. This includes tasks like welding brackets and mounts.
You can increase the accuracy and consistency of these welds by simply letting collaborative robots do this work. When you use these robots, you are bound to get higher quality welds. The work will also get done faster simply because robots work faster than human beings. There is also the fact that they can work no-stop throughout the day.
When you choose to have a collaborative robot handle the welding of lighter parts or narrower surfaces, you will ensure that the industrial robots that you are using will not be limited by the speed of human workers. Furthermore, since traditional robots pose a safety risk, doing so will increase the safety of your employees.
Assembly
Collaborative robots are easy to customize. Since they come with powerful esensors, and since they can be programmed to execute tasks with incredible accuracy, they are more suited to do assembly work that necessitate precision. Whether it is a process involving the assembly of smaller pumps and motors or repetitive tasks like screw driving, these robots are great at executing these tasks.
While it is true that traditional robots can also be programmed to handle these tasks, it will cost more to get a robot that can comfortably handle smaller tasks that need high degrees of precision. Furthermore, it may even mean doing away with your existing robots since traditional robots aren't very flexible when it comes to their programming. The affordability and flexibility of cobots make them perfectly suited for these tasks.
Coating, sealing, and painting
If you are still using human workers to do your painting, sealing, and coating work, it is time to reconsider. Paint is toxic. And the work involves a lot of repetition. There is also the fact that depending largely on human workers leaves your business vulnerable to factors like labor shortages or labor strikes.
Using a collaborative robot to handle this work will ensure that any coating, sealing or painting work is done with a consistency in quality. It will guarantee less waste, better speed, and a markedly safer working environment for your employees. Furthermore, since these robots reduce your business's dependence on human labor, it will shield you from the risks that usually come with a changing labor market.
Machine tending
Some jobs are just inherently dangerous. As a result, even though there are things that you can do to make them less risky, they will still pose a high risk of injury to your employees. This is so especially when you consider the tendency of human beings to make mistakes.
If you are still using human workers to handle molten metal or corrosive chemicals, or if you are using them to operate CNC machines, you should really reconsider. You can make things safer for your employees by simply programming a cobot to handle these tasks.
Collaborative robots are perfect when it comes to improving an existing operation simply because one does not have to make a lot of changes in order to get them running. They take up less space, they are lighter in weight, and they are safer to be around. Therefore, installing them won't necessitate a lot of changes.
