While companies are looking for ways to rise from the coronavirus’ ashes, many are turning towards automation to get a head start. Whereas, in the past, many companies avoided automation due to the complexity and high entry costs. Our previous blog post discussed how you can use your down-time to increase the efficiency of your business’ operations. Now it’s time to take a closer look at how to successfully integrate a collaborative robot to your workforce. This article provides insights into the elements to consider when investing in a robotic cell without the daunting complexity.
What is a Collaborative Robot?
What does a robot look like? Most people think of Wall-E or something more along the lines of Terminator. In one case, the image of a cute and friendly robot. On the other, the image of a killing machine with an artificial intelligence defense network. While both of these examples are technically robots, they are distant relatives to the robots that Vanguard deploys to automate dull, dirty and dangerous tasks. We emphasize the use of collaborative robots to provide simple and effective automated solutions. “Cobots”are speed and force limited, thus are in general less dangerous than their industrial counterparts. Furthermore, cobots are designed to share a workspace with humans, making the automation process easier than with industrial robots.
Invest in Easy to Use Equipment
The perception of automated manufacturing equipment often consists of complex systems, a mess of electrical wires and complex programming. We imagine multiple engineers working long nights to get the system to work. This is a regular occurrence with large industrial robotic cells, but it does not have to be your reality. Most industrial automation components are simply not designed to work with parts from other suppliers. This makes it difficult to integrate components from different companies to form a cohesive system. The added complexity results in higher system costs, longer design time and black box solutions.
The rise of collaborative robots provides a new easy-to-use mentality to the world of automation. Universal Robots improved the programming of robots by developing an easy to use graphical interface. A welcome alternative to the programming languages that widely used with industrial robots. Universal Robots’ ecosystem of easy-to-use components that are specifically designed for their robots. This removes much of the non-value added complexity from the integration process.
The integration between components like grippers, industrial cameras and conveyors becomes faster and easier for integrators. Using UR+ products drives your system cost down and provides an easy to understand solution. A simple and flexible solution installed on your shop floor enables you to take ownership of the system. Moreover, a flexible robotic solution can be adapted to work on a new part or can be integrated into a new process. If you still have doubts about how easy Universal Robots are to use, try their online academy. You can learn the basics of programming a UR for free through their short training videos.
Knowledge is Power
Many robotic system integrators provide turn-key solutions, but these systems are often incomprehensible for the customer. These solutions incorporate complicated programs, custom software, and elaborate mechanical designs. This guarantees recurring revenue for the integrator when the system requires maintenance or modifications. However, investing in a turn-key robotic solution does not mean that you have to receive a traditional black box solution.
Ensure that your system integrator includes a training session that aims to explain the operation of the system. The training should include an overview of the safety measures included in the system and should explain how to operate the system. It is essential to establish a comfortable work environment for you and your employees working alongside your new robotic colleague. In other words, this training should have one goal in mind: to confirm that, you are at ease with the equipment on your shop floor.
With the installation of a robotic cell, Vanguard Robotics includes training that provides autonomy to your business. Following the training, you will have a basic understanding of how to program a Universal Robot. In the future, if you need to create a new robot program to accommodate the production of a new component, you will be able to start the process. We will be there to help you along the way and to guide you along the process.
Have a Contingency Plan
Once your robotic system is in production, what guarantees that your robot will continue to be efficient? Make sure that you have a plan for an unforeseen situation. Does your robotic system integrator offer post-sales support? Is a support plan included with the installation of the system or are you required to purchase a support plan? Be certain that your integrator has a plan for your robot to continue operating long after the installation is complete.
At Vanguard, we incorporate a wireless router and monitoring software to the robotic cell. This provides remote access to the robot. To clarify, if your robot runs into a problem, we can access the robot in a span of a few minutes. We can access the robot’s controller to diagnose the problem and can even remotely modify the robot program. This same software monitors key performance indicators related to your manufacturing process. Thus, providing useful information to improve your current process.
If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
– Old African proverb
In short, our main goal consists of helping small and medium-sized manufacturers to achieve their production goals by overcoming the labour shortage with simple and cost-effective robotic solutions to automate repetitive processes. We take pride in providing our customers with the knowledge to comfortably operate our robotic solutions. Furthermore, we provide continued support to ensure that our robotic systems continue to perform to your highest standards. Hence, our robotic systems offer a solution to your manufacturing challenges without the daunting complexity.
If you’d like some advice or you would like to schedule a live demo with our collaborative robot to get a better idea of how automation can help empower your business, either leave a comment below or write to us at [email protected].
