AuTOMATIOn & ROBOTICS
OvercOming the pilOt purgatOry
neil Ballinger, head of emea at automation parts supplier eu automation, offers some tips for small and medium-sized manufacturers (Smms) on the most cost- effective technologies to boost their productivity and efficiency.
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there is a risk of collision. Again this would suggest that a conventional industrial robot would be right for this application due to its ability to operate at high speeds in normal safe operating conditions. As suggested, the most effective way to make such applications fast, safe and reliable would be to utilise standard industrial robots operating in a cooperative way, coupled with additional safety features such as physical guards or safety light curtains and scanners. More precisely, businesses can implement high-speed, high-payload industrial robots, such as the MELFA RV articulated arm robot, equipped with a MELFA SafePlus safety system from Mitsubishi Electric. This means humans and robots can work safely and in harmony.
making the right chOice As technology evolves, the demarcation line between industrial and collaborative robotic applications also changes. The most important consideration when implementing a robotic system is to ensure the system meets the needs of the specific application and delivers against the user requirement specification. The system must achieve both the throughput required and also operate in a safe environment for operators in line with the risk assessment for the application. The inclusion of collaborative robots has
widened the choice and the type of applications that robotics can now be used for. It is not a question of which is best, industrial or collaborative robotics but which is best for the application. With its wealth of experience and proven track record, the robotics team at Mitsubishi Electric helps businesses find the right solution.
mitsubishi electric
gb3a.mitsubishielectric.com
espite the obvious benefits of automation for manufacturers of all sizes, few are actually reaping its
benefits. According to the World Economic Forum, 70 per cent of the world’s manufacturing companies are still lagging behind, stuck in what they call pilot purgatory, where they have significant activity underway, but are not yet seeing meaningful bottom-line benefits from it. To grow their business, SMMs need to focus their attention on user and budget friendly automation technologies.
Why dO yOu need autOmatiOn? The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously affected the global manufacturing industry, especially for small and medium-sized manufacturers. Supply chain disruptions and workforce restrictions have had a devastating impact on companies’ expansion. Automation can bring manufacturers in
various industries huge advantages including lower unit costs, higher production rates, increased productivity, more efficient use of materials, better product quality and more. Besides, automation technologies can be used in dangerous or hazardous conditions, which relieves humans from repetitive, dangerous work and thus frees up employees to concentrate on more stimulating tasks that involve decision- making and problem-solving. Among a myriad of automation
technologies, SMMs should opt for ones that they can realistically afford and deploy. For example, technologies such as collaborative robots or cobots and smart sensors are cost- effective choices for SMMs.
cOBOtS Most SMMs cannot afford large, complex robots that do not fit within their limited floor space and require specialised personnel to program and maintain. However, cobots have special advantages which can help SMMs improve their productivity and workers’ safety. Firstly, compared to traditional industrial robots, cobots can be set up in less than a day, which avoids downtime. Most SMMs may not have a dedicated robotic programmer, but cobots are easy to set up, which means that operators without programming experience can quickly program
robotic movements based on logical process steps using intuitive tools. Traditional industrial robots require a large
and separate space, which may add costs and reduce flexibility on the production floor. For SMMs which cannot afford a large area dedicated to robotic operations, lightweight and space saving cobots are the best choice. Besides, with no extra added costs associated with robot programming, set up and dedicated operation space, the average payback period of cobots is only 195 days, which is affordable for most SMMs. Most SMMs are aware of the Return on
Investment (ROI) of a safe working environment. Cobots can perform dangerous or repetitive manufacturing tasks, which helps reduce the risk of costly worker injuries from hazardous tasks and improve employee retention and satisfaction.
Smart SenSOrS Smart sensors are another economical choice for SMMs. Most legacy equipment does not have the communication capabilities needed to gather and analyse data in real time. However, instead of paying for a full upgrade to their equipment, SMMs can retrofit their existing machines with smart sensors that provide these capabilities. Smart sensors can detect abnormal variations in temperature, vibration and other critical parameters and alert maintenance staff that failure may occur. Besides, they can monitor the energy consumption of equipment which, if excessive, can indicate that a component may need to be changed or signal a decline in productivity before it becomes a problem. Smart sensors can measure all kinds of
parameters to help the maintenance team detect potential threats before they cause irreversible damage, such as temperature, vibration, humidity, electric current, flow, oil contamination and more. Cost-effective but impactful technologies such
as cobots and smart sensors are helping manufacturers getting rid of the idea that only global corporations can afford the latest industrial automation solutions. By embracing these technologies, SMMs can thrive and leave the pilot purgatory behind.
eu automation
www.euautomation.com/uk
FACTORY&HAnDLInGSOLuTIOnS | juLY/AuGuST 2021 21
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