AUToMATIon & RoBoTICS
adoPting automation
WhAT MAnUFACTURERS CAn LEARn FRoM ThE vIRTUAL WoRLD
By steve morris, country manager (uK & ireland) at visual components
technologies to drive efficiencies and lower their costs. As the Fourth Industrial Revolution gathers pace, China, Japan, South Korea, the US and Germany have dominated uptake with 73 per cent of total global sales volume in terms of industrial robotics. Primarily defined by its wider proliferation of SMEs and smaller scale adoption of automated processes and restrictions from lack of government incentives, the UK has found itself falling behind in terms of adoption of these technologies and the use of simulation software. With this in mind, what benefits can
T
come from increased automation in the manufacturing process for UK businesses, and what measures are being put in place to incentivise UK-based organisations?
a trial-and-error aPProach Employing robots in the manufacturing process is no doubt a complex process; they need to be programmed on how to behave on the shop floor, and careful pathway planning is required to achieve it. Lack of specialist skills among UK businesses has created an understandably significant level of hesitation when it comes to tackling
he robot race is well and truly underway, with economies increasingly adopting the latest automated
robotics as a result. Devising the robot’s reach, joint limits and any potential collisions is also a fraught process and can be costly if done incorrectly. For example, something as simple as a robot with insufficient reach from an inaccurate CAD design could be enough to be very expensive mistake if made in a real environment. Robust 3D manufacturing simulation
software is capable of simulating robotic movements and how they interact with humans, equipment and other machines around them. By having visibility of any potential collisions or limitations through testing in a simulated environment, manufacturers can undertake a trial-and- error approach to robotics integration. The transparency provided by the software therefore supports de-risking of capital spending, which can be an expensive outlay for the business. As many mistakes can be made in the virtual environment as needed, saving time and frustration for employees. Too many assumptions and educated
guesses that can come from not using simulation software can hinder justification of an upcoming project. By being able to import CAD designs into a robust 3D simulation software, critical information can be better understood, such as production volumes, throughput, cycle times and defects.
Prioritising Productivity and achieving cost avoidance Making use of a risk-free virtual environment however is no use without realism and high-quality replication of a real environment, with businesses potentially previously hesitant to adopt simulation software due to concerns about the accuracy of current solutions. The realism offered by cutting-edge simulation software means that it is not just possible for manufacturers to simulate how and where robotics and
8 JULy/AUGUST 2021 | FACToRy&hAnDLInGSoLUTIonS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74
