Benefits of Robotic Quality Control

Automated quality control systems are one of the biggest innovations to happen to manufacturing. Automated quality control involves using industrial robots to automatically inspect, test, or measure manufactured products. Implementing industrial robots for quality control completely optimizes this critical step in manufacturing through the following benefits:

• • Higher Product Quality - With robotic quality control product quality will significantly improve. Robotic inspection is incredibly accurate unlike human inspection which is very error prone. It is unlikely flaws will be missed using the FANUC LR Mate 200ic for inspection, ensuring higher product quality. Articulated robots can be used to inspect the final product or they can be programmed to inspect their own work throughout a manufacturing process. In either scenario, the part must meet the predefined criteria in order to move on to the next step or be packaged to ship. Only the highest quality products will move forward.


• • Lower Production Costs - Robotic quality control can significantly lower production costs and is more cost-effective than using manual labor. Manual labor can consume a major part of production costs with continuous salary and benefit expenses. Automating quality control eliminates labor costs. The accuracy, speed, and efficiency of six axis robots will help reduce other expenses for greater savings. Costly recalls will also be avoided with the ABB IRB 1600 and other inspection robots as it is unlikely errors will go undetected.


• • Better Part Handling - Some parts are too delicate or complex for human inspection. Industrial robots are capable of better part handling allowing them to inspect parts that are too complex for humans. Soft finger grippers allow the Universal UR5 and other robots to safely handle delicate or intricate parts during quality control. Since robots are programmed to measure against a set of predefined criteria they can accurately evaluate complex workpieces.


• • More Reliable Inspections - Robotic quality control is simply more reliable than using manual labor. Humans are error prone. They can tire or get distracted and easily miss defects. Defects that go unnoticed can lead to major safety hazards, dissatisfied customers, and costly recalls. Robots are programmed to follow defined quality standards. They thoroughly inspect all parts using the same standards for each. Their robotic vision systems ensure all flaws regardless of how small are caught.


• • Early Error Detection - Since robots are more accurate and reliable, errors can be detected earlier than with manual quality control. The earlier an error is caught the less time and resources will be needed to correct it. Early error detection also prevents defective parts reaching consumers and triggering a recall. The Yaskawa Motoman MH12 can inspect its own work during an assembly to ensure parts are all accounted for and correctly put together before moving to the next phase. If a part is not correct the MH12 can fix it before that workpiece leaves the workstation.


• • Can Improve Business Growth - Robotic quality control ensures all products manufactured meet the same high quality standards. High quality products improve customer satisfaction and retention allowing for business growth. When consumers know a company manufactures high quality products they are likely to return as customers.