by Introduction to Industrial Robotics
Industrial robots refers to the application of robotics in manufacturing industries. Robots are automated machines capable of performing human tasks with a high degree of accuracy and precision. They have revolutionized various production processes by carrying out tasks like welding, assembly, packaging, and material handling among others.
History and Growth of Industrial Robotics
The first industrial robot was designed and built in the 1950s by George Devol and Joseph Engelberger. However, the widespread use of robots began in the 1960s when automotive companies started deploying them for tasks like welding and spraying. Since then, industrial robotics has grown significantly due to their advantages over human workers. Some key milestones include Japan emerging as the world leader in robotics during the 1970s. The 1980s saw the development of user-friendly programming languages making robots accessible to smaller companies. More recent trends include increased use of collaborative robots that can work safely alongside people, adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities by robots.
Benefits of Robots in Manufacturing
There are several advantages that explain why industrial robots are increasingly replacing human workers on production lines:
– Precision and Accuracy: Robots can repeat the same tasks thousands of times with perfect consistency and precision which is impossible for humans. This leads to reduced errors and defects.
– Improved Productivity: Robots work continuously without breaks, fatigue or errors resulting in higher productivity levels compared to human workers. They also enable 24/7 operations.
– Safety: Robots are preferred for jobs involving exposure to hazards like high temperatures, hazardous chemicals, heavy lifting etc. that can endanger human health and safety.
– Cost Savings: While initial investment is high, robots eventually pay for themselves by reducing labor costs. Maintenance costs are also relatively low compared to employee benefits and other human resource expenses.
– Flexibility: Robots can be easily reprogrammed or reconfigured to handle different tasks without downtime for retooling. This makes them suitable for frequent product changes and customizations.
– Precision Handling: Robots are ideally suited for assembly and packaging applications where parts need to be handled precisely without damage. Their grippers can pick up components gently without causing defects.
– Increased Quality: Consistent and repetitive actions of robots eliminate defects arising from human errors, fatigue or lack of expertise resulting in higher product quality.
Applications of Industrial Robotics
Common applications where industrial robots are deployed include:
Welding: Welding robots are used extensively in automotive, shipbuilding, and metal fabrication industries for tasks like spot, arc and laser welding. Their precise movements allow for consistent, high-quality welds.
Assembly: Assembly robots play a vital role in assembling electronic components and devices, building automotive parts, and mounting components in various other industries. They provide speed, accuracy and flexibility required for mass assembly.
Handling/Packaging: Material handling robots perform tasks like picking parts from feeding systems or pallets, moving them to workstations, unloading from machines and packaging. They eliminate risks of injuries from heavy lifting.
Processing: Industrial robots equipped with tools like grinders, polishers and spray guns are used for surface treatment operations in metal processing and other industries. Their ability to work in tight spaces and hazardous conditions makes them suitable for such tasks.
Palletizing: Robots are commonly used for palletizing, depalletizing and case packing applications in warehouses and distribution centers where they stack boxes, bottles and other items onto pallets in an organized manner efficiently.
Machine Tending: In automated production cells, robots tend to and assist other machines by loading/unloading parts, exchanging tools and providing quality checks without stops. This improves overall equipment efficiency.
Challenges and the Future of Industrial Robotics
While industrial robotics has revolutionized manufacturing, there are still some roadblocks to wider adoption. High upfront capital cost remains a hurdle, especially for small businesses. Technical challenges include integrating robots safely with human workers on the same production floor. Programming and maintaining robots requires specialized skills that are currently scarce. However, these challenges are being addressed through innovation and job re-skilling efforts. Advanced technologies like AI, machine vision, force/torque sensors, collaborative robots etc. will further boost industrial robotics. Wider affordability through cloud robotics, leasing and small collaborative robots is expected to make robots accessible even to small and medium enterprises. Overall, industrial robotics is poised for continued growth driven by the need for higher productivity, quality and workforce safety. Automation will supplement rather than replace human labor as collaborative robots and humans work together in manufacturing facilities of the future.
*Note:
- Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
- We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
