ROBOTS AND AUTOMATION | TECHNOLOGY


Picking up: growth in the rate of robot adoption


Manufacturers are increasingly turning to robotic solutions to the labour shortage problem. Chris Saunders explores how robot suppliers are developing new systems that can help productivity


The rise of robotics and automation has seen traditional injection moulding processes undergo a transformation in recent years, enhancing efficiency, precision, and overall productivity. According to a report from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), a new record of 3.9m operational robots worldwide in all industries was achieved in 2022, with the top countries by robot density being South Korea (1,012 robots per 10,000 employees), Singapore (730), and Germany (415). Marina Bill, President of the IFR, said: “The speed of robotics adoption in factories around the world is impressive: the new global average robot density hit an all-time high of 151 robots per 10,000 employees, more than double the number measured only six years ago.” Though the US lags behind the pace setters with a robot density of 285 per 10,000 employees, the


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injection moulding sector is making advances. Last June, Engel North America opened a new, expanded automation centre at the company’s headquarters in York, Pennsylvania. Following a successful renovation that began in August 2022, the centre is now fully operational and offers 4,600 m² of production, office area, and logistics space. With capacity for up to 13 projects to run in parallel, the facility will cater specifically to the lucrative North American market which was responsible for $35m of Engel’s robot sales per year. Vanessa Malena, President Engel North America,


said: “With the costs of labour increasing, the scarcity of skilled labour, and the decreasing costs of robots, we firmly believe in investing in the future growth of this market.” Engel’s automation products integrate into a


March/April 2024 | INJECTION WORLD 13


Main image: Global robot density in all industries is more than double the number it was six years ago, says IFR


IMAGE: THOMAS SOELLNER/SHUTTERSTOCK


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