The industrial robotics industry is growing fast, with experts predicting it to reach the $42.2 billion mark by the end of 2021. For manufacturers, making the switch to robotics seems like an inevitability.
But what if you don’t know much about robot manufacturing? What are robots in manufacturing and how do they affect your company?
That’s what we’re going to dive into today. Read on to find out more about using robots in the different manufacturing industries here.
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What Are Robots in Manufacturing?
Robots have been used in manufacturing since around the mid-20th century, mostly to alleviate mundane and time-consuming tasks from human workers. Since then, it’s expanded to more dynamic roles in manufacturing.
Nowadays, robots in manufacturing settings do much more than work that no one wants to do. They provide reliable support to human workers in factory settings with precision, speed, and accuracy.
Robots are often categorized based on their movement, applications, make, and brand. With rising labor costs, manufacturing robots are becoming imperative for many manufacturing plants.
But before we discuss robots’ roles in manufacturing, it’s important that we know the different types of robots common in factories. Let’s break those down in the next section.
Types of Robots
Manufacturers use a variety of different robots, starting with the articulated robot. These robots have rotary joints that provide them with the dynamic movement needed for increased flexibility.
There are also Cartesian robots that similarly have three rotary joints. This allows them to move across the X, Y, and Z axes. They’re great for assembly line work since they’re relatively cheap and move accurately.
Cylindrical robots, on the other hand, move up, down, and around a cylindrical pole. These are also great for assembly line work, since they can move between specific points faster.
Combining the traits of cylindrical and Cartesian robots are spherical robots. These move around in a three-dimensional space by using a robotic arm attached to a twisting joint.
There are even more robot types that manufacturers use daily, including the incredibly precise and spider-like delta robots. But what exactly are their specific roles in manufacturing?
So What Are Their Roles in Manufacturing?
It’s hard to pinpoint a list of robots’ roles in modern manufacturing due to their wide versatility. Most factories use them for repetitive yet imperative tasks like welding and painting.
Cylindrical robots can be used to pick up and place certain parts across assembly lines. More dexterous robots can be used to package and label factory products as well.
Robots are also used for product inspection or even testing. All of these different applications can be optimized by a manufacturer based on speed, precision, and accuracy.
Manufacturing Industries Using Robotics
But which industries are actually using robotics for their manufacturing lines? You might be surprised how many people are keen on using robots for manufacturing their products. Let’s break them down here:
Automotive Industry
This industry probably won’t surprise you. Americans are used to seeing car factories using long assembly lines with robotic arms assembling automobiles.
Car companies rely on robots to not only assemble their cars, but also test them for safety. These robots speed up production while ensuring accurate reporting for safety tests.
Electronics Industry
Smartphones, TVs, and computers are in high demand these days, meaning manufacturers need to produce these products as fast as possible. Robots make it easier to meet high electronic quotas.
Manufacturing robots allow for more efficient electronics production, while making it easier for employees. They also handle electronics incredibly carefully, making sure everything is delivered to the customer safely.
Medical Industry
Believe it or not, robots can assist doctors and surgeons during crucial procedures. Human surgeries can often be performed more accurately by robotic arms, provided that it’s programmed properly.
Food and Agriculture
Robots are often used by food manufacturers to detect product defects before they’re put out for delivery. This leads to consistently excellent food products being delivered to customers.
Farmers are also finding that robots make their lives easier. Robots can detect diseases that affect crop yields, and the process of spraying and removing weeds is also made more efficient.
Financial Benefits To Using Manufacturing Robots
With robots handling manufacturing jobs at a faster, more efficient pace, it’s no surprise that factories are saving money. While robots might sound like an expensive investment, the long-term costs are hard to deny.
Robots, like those produced by OnRobot, are usually a one-time investment if we ignore repairs and updates. They’ll get the same amount of work done every day without compensation.
Robots will also perform their tasks effectively and without mistakes, reducing the likelihood of defective products. Your factory will therefore be using your resources more efficiently, reducing costs along the way.
Manufacturing robots can also work during off-hours if you need them to. Since they can keep running no matter the time of day, you can save a lot of time when pumping out a large volume of products.
But Don’t They Eliminate Jobs?
A common criticism for manufacturing robots is that they take away jobs from human employees. This is a valid concern, since robots don’t need compensation, and therefore save companies a lot of money.
However, it’s important to note that robotics are becoming a key part of the competition between American manufacturers. Without competition being induced by robots, all employee jobs are more likely to be moved overseas.
Robots also create more important skill-related jobs, since the mundane tasks that not many people are eager to do are being taken care of. This means human workers can spend time performing more high-level tasks.
Leveraging Robots In Manufacturing
Adopting robots in manufacturing can be a big step for a lot of companies, but it’ll ultimately be a worthwhile leap. Use this article to help you understand how they’re used in factory settings and why they’re beneficial.
For more informative articles on manufacturing robotics and similar topics, check out the rest of our site!
