The Rise of Manufacturing Robots
There is no denying it, the use of industrial robots in manufacturing is on the rise. Robotic automation is no longer viewed as a luxury for some companies, but as a necessity in order to remain competitive and combat many of the issues today’s manufacturers face. More industries are embracing robotic automation from the traditional ones such as the automotive to the unexpected ones such as construction. Robot use has grown year over year and is expected to become a $100 billion market by 2028.
How are Robots Used in Manufacturing?
Industrial robots are used to turn manual tasks into ones that are executed automatically. Automating manufacturing with the FANUC M-20ia mitigates errors, improves efficiency, and frees up workers for more productive or critical roles. Robots are mainly used to automate repetitive or dangerous jobs. Manufacturing becomes safer and faster with robotic automation.Robots may be used in manufacturing to supplement manual labor. Companies may choose to automate a portion of their production process with the Yaskawa MH50 while workers are used for other aspects of manufacturing. Advancements in robotic technology has made robots more autonomous resulting in the development of lights-out manufacturing. Lights-out manufacturing is the complete automation of a production. Factories run solely on automated equipment including industrial robots. Companies in the automotive and electronics industries have adopted this model. The cost savings and productivity increases of lights-out manufacturing have many believing this will become the standard model for factories in the future.
What Robots are Used in Manufacturing?
Industrial robots are the main type of robot used in manufacturing. These include articulated, SCARA, gantry, delta, and collaborative robots. Articulated robots are the most common as they are the most versatile. They can be used to automate nearly every type of production related task in manufacturing. As factories move towards higher automated models, other types of robots are being introduced such as AGVs (automated guided vehicles) and drones.Contributing Factors to Robot Growth
- • Labor Shortages - Labor shortages in manufacturing have been one of the biggest contributors to the growth of robots. Companies are unable to fill roles as the worker pool continues to shrink. Labor shortages have forced industries once hesitant to industrial robots to automate.
- • Growth of E-Commerce - The growth of e-commerce has allowed companies to expand their customer base around the world. This has brought higher customer demand that can only be matched through robotic automation. Robots are faster, more accurate, and can operate 24/7. Automating with the Yaskawa MPL160 boosts productivity, allowing companies to keep up with higher demand.
- • Sustainable Manufacturing - As we become more environmentally conscience, there has been a big push for sustainable manufacturing. This can be achieved with robots as they consume less energy with their ability to operate without lights or in a climate controlled environment. Scrapped and wasted materials are reduce with their accuracy. Robots are also carbon-free reducing pollution.
- • Rising Costs - Rising production costs have manufacturers turning to automation in order to combat them. Robots reduce labor, material, and utility costs giving companies a healthier bottom line.
Robots Done Right is the place to start when it comes to used robots. Contact us if you are interested in buying or selling a used robot.