The automation of manufacturing processes is complicated, and one solution does not necessarily fit all problems. Robots come in many sizes, from insect-sized micro robots to giant industrial robots capable of lifting airplanes or automotive chassis. There are also small industrial robots for smaller sized manufacturing companies that do not need to move weighty items. This is a class of robots known as collaborative robots (cobots), is on the lower robot spectrum and shares a workspace with humans.
Many small companies make use of these small industrial robots or cobots to help bring automation closer. This allows them to gain a competitive advantage previously only available to companies that are more prominent. Most manufacturers need to explore the options they have when it comes to automation to make the best decisions. When making a significant decision in business, some equipment may appear low-cost and low risk; yet turn out to be expensive in the long run, if it does not perform as per your expectations.
How to Make a Decision between a Cobot and an Industrial Robot
Cobots and industrial robots have some differences in task performances:
Cobots
Cobots by design are supposed to be used within a defined workspace in collaboration with humans. Cobots have in-built safety mechanisms that allow them to sense when a human worker is too close and slow down or come to a complete stop.
Cobots perform repetitive tasks or those that are injury prone, such as palletizing or machine tending, while humans perform more cognitive tasks. A cobot mimics a human worker’s actions and perform tasks at the same speeds or slower, with reaches and payloads similar to social workers.
Industrial Robots
An industrial robot is a reprogrammable, automatically controlled manipulator that may be stationary or mobile in three or more axes. Small industrial robots can easily automate several processes in a small company. Automated production lines can have multiple robots integrated and have humans removed from dangerous environments.
The industrial robots allow for significant Return on Investment (ROI) in high volume manufacturing plants. Safety technologies now enable industrial robots to be utilized in collaborative work, which provides the same benefits as cobot, but with a payload and speed increase, and lower costs.
Pros and Cons Of Cobots
- They can share a workspace with human workers
- No safety cell is needed, thus reducing costs and minimal floor disruption
- Simple in programming and integration
- Return of Investment (ROI) is within a year
Cons of Cobots
- You need to do a risk assessment to define the need for safety precautions
- Safety precautions lead to slow speeds and many stops while working with humans as the cobot is designed to slow or stop when it detects a human worker.
- Limited reach, accuracy and payload
- Operators are still needed
Pros of Industrial Robots
- Faster and have better efficiency in comparison to humans, even when carrying a higher payload.
- A fully automated line can handle applications that are not safe for humans, removing human workers from danger zones
- Their programming is both powerful and intuitive offers many integration options.
- Return on Investment is more defined, and can be achieved in between 12 and 18 months.
Cons of Industrial Robots
- For a low volume process, the speeds and throughput are not appropriate
- The stationary work cells may need you to make some changes to the production floor
- More complicated to change processes, making it more expensive to hire someone else to do it
- System integration is costly
Conclusion
Before you fully automate your operations, you need to ensure you examine your needs and the pros and cons of both cobots and industrial robots. Look at the ROI on each type of robot and decide whether you can afford it in the long run. A robot may appear low cost and low risk but might end up costing you more in maintenance and other expenses. Cheap is expensive, so ensure you examine your options and make an informed decision.
