Industrial robots have been a boon to the bottom line ever since they first appeared on the production lines of automakers in the 1960s. They have improved productivity, efficiency, and safety in factories.
General industry manufacturing firms started implementing robot automation as technology developed, and the benefits became clear to reap the benefits and boosted their competitive advantage.
Worldwide, there are currently more than 2 million operational robots installed, and the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) predicts that there will be more than 3 million operational robots within a few years.
Industrial robots are once again ideally suited to deliver significant benefits as we enter the fourth industrial revolution and look to take advantage of the advantages of big data, AI, and IIOT. It will enable manufacturers to further optimize the processes to improve their bottom line and raise customer satisfaction. This post will look at the top 10 benefits of Robotic Automation.
1. Reduce floor space
There are other robot configurations besides floor-mounted ones. Robots of the present day are more adaptable, with options for inverted, shelf, wall, and floor mounting configurations. It creates a wide range of options for making the most of floor space. In addition, modern robot designs are physically much smaller than earlier ones and leaner than their predecessors. Robots can operate in very small or confined spaces thanks to programming’s ability to reduce the required space.
2. Improve product quality
An industrial robot’s ability to consistently produce high-quality parts for virtually any product can be attributed to its accuracy and repeatability, regardless of the application. Real benefits that enhance product quality include handling the most delicate materials without damage, flawless finishes on painted surfaces, and high-quality welds that guarantee the integrity of a product.
3. Reduce labor turnover
Recent research has favored robotic automation, refuting the idea that it will replace workers. According to studies, manufacturers can retrain and redeploy their workforce into higher-skilled jobs, resulting in greater job satisfaction for the employee and more value for the employer by using industrial robots to perform the “dull, dirty, and dangerous” tasks. In addition, as the labor force ages, we see fewer applicants looking for jobs requiring hard labor. The high precision required by modern industrial processes and/or the manual labor required for the tasks is frequently viewed as undesirable careers. As they fill the void left by the aging workforce, industrial robots can also contribute in this way.
4. Reduce operation costs
Businesses may experience significant reductions in direct and overhead expenses by integrating industrial robotics into their manufacturing processes. Industrial robots can be easily adapted to new production lines without the need for expensive training, which takes more time away from production because of their inherent flexibility and ease of programming. They consistently deliver the highest-quality parts thanks to their accuracy and repeatability, reducing defects and waste. Additional savings are possible due to industrial robots’ lack of need for healthcare, insurance, or income, as well as their low energy requirements for lighting, heating/cooling, and other comforts.
5. Increase manufacturing flexibility
One of the most alluring advantages of robotic automation is the simplicity with which processes can be switched, enabling manufacturers to meet the growing demand for product customization and design changes. Because industrial robots are simple to reprogram, there is less of a barrier between changing consumer demands and a manufacturer’s ability to quickly and affordably respond to the market, increasing their competitiveness. Industrial robotics is the answer to today’s high-mix, low-volume productions, and any manufacturer will greatly benefit from being able to run various products on the same line.
6. Improve health and safety
The rising healthcare costs for individuals and businesses cannot be disputed. There are many advantages to providing workers with safer environments that reduce their exposure to the risks involved with particular tasks. Industrial robots reduced the possibility of accidents brought on by contact with machine tools or other potentially dangerous production machinery by taking over unpleasant, hazardous, or boring tasks. They also eliminate many harmful health effects that repetitive, redundant work causes, including conditions like repetitive stress injuries and muscle fatigue.
7. Reduce capital costs
Capital costs related to inventory and work-in-progress can be reduced by utilizing robots to create faster, more effective production lines (WIP). Businesses can more accurately predict production rates and guarantee that quick and effective service is provided to the market at the appropriate time by moving products through the production process more quickly. Robots are adaptable, allowing you to reproduce them to handle a different product or task frequently on the same production line without making additional capital purchases. The ability of today’s industrial robots to gather and share performance data that can provide information about their health and maintenance requirements enables manufacturers to extend the life of their capital equipment.
8. Improve the quality of work
A company’s greatest assets are its employees, and wise manufacturers work to reduce the costs incurred by high employee turnover, unhealthy or unsafe working conditions, and low job satisfaction. Industrial robots improve working conditions for many workers by eliminating the need to perform hazardous tasks in conditions that may include dangerous chemicals, unfavorable temperatures, poor air quality, and more. This further frees the workers to undergo far more valuable skill retraining, enabling them to be redeployed in occupations where people are better suited and have higher levels of job satisfaction.
9. Reduce waste
There are many different types of waste in the manufacturing process, all of which have costs that impact the bottom line and must be reduced to maximize your company’s profitability. Waste can be reduced in several ways by industrial robots. The ability to handle the most delicate parts without breaking them may be the most obvious benefit of the high-quality finishes with robot automation. It might be a decrease in contaminants entering a process, which prevents recalls and/or warranty work, or the accuracy with which adhesives and/or paints are applied to parts, preventing as much product use. There’s a good chance that a robotic automation solution can help reduce waste, regardless of the procedure or application.
10. Increase production output
Industrial robots are being incorporated into manufacturing processes to increase output, which boosts productivity and efficiency. Robots can work continuously without taking breaks and require little upkeep to maintain their best performance. They never become exhausted or compromise the quality of their work due to being overworked. They also produce high-quality products in a fraction of the time it would take a human to complete the same task, allowing for a faster introduction to the market of more high-quality parts.
