AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS
place an accurate image of the robot cell into the customer’s existing, real-life production areas. The robot solution can be scaled to full size and be rotated to achieve the best result. As well as seeing how the robot will fit around
existing equipment, you can also watch the robot in action, as if you were standing right next to it. A timeline feature allows you to check the cycle time of the process, find ways to improve performance and flag up any problems. The app is used on a smart device such as a
tablet, making it very easy to use. This makes it particularly appealing to SMEs, many of whom are keen to use robots but are unsure of where to start.
’WE HAVE DIFFICULT ASSEMBLY PROCESSES NOT SUITABLE FOR ROBOTS’ Some tasks do demand a very high degree of accuracy in assembly, such as fitting trim and components inside the cabins of vehicles. Yet with the latest advanced software, this is not impossible for robots. The high accuracy demanded is achieved using the force control concept, which effectively emulates the human sense of touch. The robot’s movements are governed by feedback from a force sensor. This means that the robot can search for the correct location, and assemble parts using intelligent Force/Torque motion, without the risk of jamming or damaging the components. Using force control the robot can handle
parts in a way similar to a human – it can search along a defined path and attempt to push parts together, using only the right amount of force to bring them into the correct position. This has the potential to save installation and programming costs, as programming is much easier, while also cutting average cycle times due to the lower number of assembly problems experienced.
’WE HAVE FREQUENT CHANGES OF PRODUCT’ Far from being a problem, this is one of the areas that robots excel at. With the ability to automatically change tooling, materials, and programming, they eliminate much of the work involved in swapping from one product to the next. As customers demand more and more customisation, this allows companies to swap easily between products, getting closer to the ideal of batch size of one. Collaborative robots or ‘cobots’ help
manufacturers meet this demand by giving them the flexibility to manage the shift to low-volume/ high-mix production. Cobots add the agility needed to change rapidly between products and introduce new products faster. People working with cobots on the production line contribute their unique problem-solving capabilities,
insights, and adaptability, while robots bring their strengths of tireless precision and endurance for repetitive tasks. An example here is Panda Confectionery,
which chose cobots to maximise its productivity, helping it stay competitive in the rapidly changing and high growth pick and mix candy market. The company’s cobots help it respond quickly to changing customer demand by allowing it to change box sizes rapidly with minimum programming. With no need for safety barriers, the lines are also easier to clean and maintain.
’WE HAVE SPECIAL PROCESSES THAT CAN ONLY BE DONE BY PEOPLE’
Because they move quickly and can exert large forces, robots are usually separated from humans by substantial safety barriers. However, not all companies need equipment that can carry heavy masses – many manufacturers’ production involves intricate assembly of small components, with a lot of delicate hand work and selection of parts, things that only humans can do. Or can they? Again, cobots can fit the bill here.
Options such as ABB’s YuMi® dual and single-arm collaborative robots offer companies the best of both worlds by combining the adaptability and intelligence of people with the tireless precision, dexterity and performance of robots. Collaborative robots or ‘cobots’ are able to
work alongside people in a shared space, allowing companies to automate the assembly of many types of products on the same line. These types of robots have a range of hardware
and software features that ensure they cannot injure people, including SafeMove2 enabling robots and operators to work closer together by restricting robot motion to exactly what is needed for a specific application. Cobots are also easy to program – tasks can be taught to them by simply leading their arms through the actions needed. There is also a HR and training dimension - working alongside robots gives people a chance to improve their skills by learning how to program and operate them. Cobots are also easier to deploy and give quicker returns on investment.
IT’S TIME TO MAKE THE SWITCH TO ROBOTS Although many companies, particularly SMEs, may think that their production presents insurmountable barriers to using automation, modern robots and software are showing that there are no real obstacles and that increasingly, robotic production is for everyone.
ABB Robotics
www.abb.com/robotics FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS | JULY/AUGUST 2022 19
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
