Robotic arms are common in many industries and are a well-established component of automated production facilities. Fixed robotic arms tend to perform a limited number of functions and are dedicated to a single part of a production or manufacturing process. The advantages of industrial robotic arms include being able to perform repetitive tasks consistently and at speed, being able to lift heavy loads or dangerous materials, and to be deployed in challenging or controlled environments. Pressures facing manufacturers today include shorter product life cycles with increased product complexity, customisations, cost pressures, decreased time to market and increased competition. Manufacturers can solve these issues and gain a competitive edge using modern automation and robotics, such as collaborative robots (‘cobots’). Cobots are designed to help address the challenges of flexibility and adaptability as the technology has a number of significant advantages over traditional automation. Automation in general can improve safety, quality and increase productivity by performing monotonous or physically demanding jobs. But the benefits are only seen when the right automation and robotic solution is adopted. Astech can help you assess what combinations of traditional automation, robotics and collaborative technology will provide the best solution for your future manufacturing needs.

The main advantage between cobots and other traditional automation or robotics is that the cobot operates alongside the worker in the same space without the need for barriers and exclusion zones. This does however lead to the main cause of concern; that the interaction between human workers and cobots poses a safety risk. Given the correct risk assessments, and deployed in the right way cobots can actually address safety concerns by providing power assistance or performing dangerous tasks, thus reducing injury and postural risk. There is a trade-off – cobots must operate at much lower speeds and within parameters covering their size and reach. This may reduce their productivity in comparison to enclosed robotic solutions. Whilst cobots tend to be smaller and slower, with less reach and force, they can operate without barriers or enclosures maximising the available workspace. Advances in sensor technology and data processing enable the safety features that allow collaborative working. So collaborative robots still offer productivity, efficiency and quality improvements but are also more adaptable and can be redeployed relatively easily. Repurposing cobots is a distinct advantage over traditional robot automation. Cobots are relatively easy to teach and can be moved to new locations with minimal adaptation to the environment.

Traditional Robots Relatively large footprint and enclosure/safety barrier required Workers separated from robot No additional risk assessment Performs a limited number of highly repetitive tasks Harder to teach – uses traditional programming languages Infrequent changes Hard to repurpose Good value for medium to large facilities with a focus on high throughput Larger and faster Number of axes matched to task