August 5, 2009 – 12:55 pm
The robots industry is constantly changing and new improvements in robotic automation are being made every day. As the robots themselves get smaller and more compact, the number of industries that they are used in and applications that they have increase exponentially. Robotic applications that were once only reserves for large factories and manufacturers have now been brought down to smaller scales so that their benefits can be enjoyed by small to medium sized businesses. As smaller and more compact models are engineered, the usefulness of these robots will continue to grow.
Even the smallest of the 4-axis robots have a large load capacity for their size. The technology that has gone into engineering these robots is astonishing. While the robots industry continues to make huge strides in the automotive industry, more and more industries are realizing the usefulness of robotic automation in their respective field. Robots are now relied upon in a number of industries both large and small. They have revolutionized the electronics industry and the manufacturing of disk drives. They are used every day in pharmaceuticals, chemical plants, and in general manufacturing.
The 5 and 6-axis robots can perform an even larger number of tasks and some models have design characteristics that facilitate the performance of certain types of tasks, such as long, slim arms that make it easier to extract parts from deep, narrow, plastic injection molds. In the design of these models, many things have been taken into consideration when engineering the arms and joints in these robots. If you compare the cycle time to the reach that these types of robots have you will certainly be impressed by the speed with which they perform the required tasks.
On a smaller scale, a number of manufacturers and food producers rely upon these robots for assembly, pick and place, packaging, and palletizing applications. Depending upon the size of the job and the space available to accommodate the robot, you can easily find a model that will fit your specific needs.
New models have also been equipped with energy saving motors in order to reduce your operational costs and to benefit the environment. As the robots industry continues to grow more and more useful features will be engineered. These robots have been designed to provide you with a specific level of performance that you can count on. Your business will be more efficient and you will be able to be confident when it comes to staying on schedule and meeting all of your orders on time as promised.
August 2, 2009 – 12:52 pm
Scouring the internet looking for a robot for sale? There are a several robot manufacturers out there, but your business needs to find a manufacturer that has been around for a long time and that has built up a solid reputation in automation. Before you make your purchase, compare and contrast robotic manufacturers to guarantee that you find the best one.
If you don’t find a reputable manufacturer when you are looking for a robot for sale, there are a number of problems that you may encounter. When it comes to robots, you get what you pay for. But a high-quality top performing robot can be affordable. If you take the risk of buying refurbished and remanufactured robots, you want to make sure that they come with comprehensive warranties. These robots may have been designed for other purposes and then retrofitted with parts in order to perform the tasks that you are looking for. It is always best to purchase new if you can. That way, you can be assured that the robot was originally designed in order to perform the tasks that you need it for.
Another problem that you may have with an unreliable manufacturer lies with the level of training that is available to you. When you purchase a robot for sale, you will need to be trained in its operation and programming. The most comprehensive training will be through a class that gives you hands-on training with the specific robot that you have purchased. This would be the ideal way for you to learn about the robot, its maintenance, and the regular day to day operations. Some manufacturers may offer an instructional DVD or manual to provide training. These will not give you the level of training that you need to be confident and comfortable in the operation of your robot.
Unreliable robotic manufacturers have also been known to cut corners. Some of them do not offer comprehensive product warranties; others only produce a few small models so that you will have a limited selection. Before you start looking around to buy a robot, make a list of the things that you want out of the robot and out of the manufacturer. You shouldn’t have to compromise when it comes to purchasing the robot that you want. Find a manufacturer that can provide you with the level of training, high-quality product, and the selection of robotic models that you are looking for.
Have you noticed a decline in the rate in which your production line typically moves? Are there particular steps in the product packaging process that you can identify as problematic? If you are unsatisfied with your manually performed tasks, there are other options available to you. Many small businesses have enlisted the help of a packaging robot in order to speed up the rate in which products are manufactured, packaged, and shipped out. Packaging robots can perform a variety of functions with precision and speed so that you can meet your delivery deadlines.
Factory workers can often be unreliable and inefficient. They are paid the same hourly wage regardless of how many products that they package giving little incentive to work fast. The truth of the matter is that even with exemplary employees, their performance can fluctuate on a day to day basis, making it impossible to predict the number of units that they will have packaged by the end of the day. If you want speed, accuracy, and predictability when it comes to packaging, a packaging robot is an option that can provide you with all three of these. They were designed to give you the best possible results that are mechanically possible.
A lot of small business owners are turned off by robotics because they are under the false impression that the technology is too far advanced for an average person to operate. This is not true at all. If you purchase you packaging robot from a high quality manufacturer, they will not only supply you with a state-of-the-art robot, but they will also offer you training on its operation. You won’t have to worry that you will be unable to operate and program your robot, you will learn about all of its features, functions, and controls. Once you are comfortable with the level of knowledge that you have acquired your robot will be installed, programmed to complete the specific tasks that you have bought it for, and then put to use.
Once your new packaging robot is functioning, you will be amazed by how much faster your line will move. The products will be packaged in the most efficient manner possible, saving you money. You won’t have to worry about day to day fluctuations in the number of products that you were able to package because the robot will supply you with both speed and reliability.
Robotic palletizing is becoming a popular feature in many manufacturing plants across the nation. Many businesses have switched from the old fork lift and general laborer routine to a faster and more efficient way of doing things. Stacking and moving pallets around can be a tedious task. Setting up pallets with products for shipping can also take awhile. This job may further be complicated by human error. Humans can improperly balance loads, miscount, and make other types of errors. When it comes to your warehouse, robotic palletizing will be your best option.
Larger manufacturing plants have been relying upon robotic palletizing for quite some time. Larger, industrial sized robots are able to offer both speed and repeatability when it comes to palletizing products. The increased speed will make the entire palletizing process move faster and much more efficiently. The repeatability factor means that you can expect a certain level of performance when it comes to palletizing. You will be able to predict how many products can be palletized within a specific time and frame so you know where you are at when it comes to shipping deadlines. The robotic repeatability is by far one of the best features and it can positively impact any business that must palletize product.
With many strides made in robotic technology, these robots that palletize are now made in smaller models that are perfect for small and medium sized businesses. They are compact and space saving in their design which makes them the ideal addition to a smaller factory or workspace. They are also much more affordable than their larger counterparts, which mean that more and more businesses can rely upon robotics to perform essential tasks. Even though these robots are small in their design, they are still able to carry a substantial payload and offer you the optimal performance that you and your business are looking for.
There are a number of reasons why small and medium sized businesses are switching over from laborers to robotics. You will be one hundred percent satisfied with the results. Using robotics increases workplace safety and gets the job done much faster. You will also be able to count on the robot’s speed and repeatability, which, compared to that of a human employee, might fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. With the affordability and wide variety of small palletizing robots, you should definitely consider what they can do for your business.
The robots industry is growing. Robotic technology that was once reserved for large factories and multi-million dollar corporation can now be had for small to medium sized businesses. These impressive automated counterparts are now available in small, sleek designs which fit into small spaces and are in the price range that a smaller sized business can afford. Depending upon the specific application that you need performed; there are robots that can accommodate a wide range of payloads. There is a long list of practical applications that these robots can be used for and you will surely be able to benefit from robotic technology.
There are a number of industries that currently benefit from robotic technology. These pieces of machinery have prominent places in the automotive, electronics, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical fields. They have also proven to be useful in appliance and plastics manufacturing. Semiconductor and chemical companies also heavily rely upon robotic technology in their fields. The number of industries that rely upon this type of technology which seems to grows every day. As more and more businesses are finding useful applications for these robots their designs have been adapted to make them practical to buy and to use in a smaller business which widens the scope of their appeal.
The applications that these robots can be used for are even more extensive than the industries that they are used in. The robots industry has manufactured robotic equipment that can perform a number of useful functions including: assembly, dispensing, packaging, dispensing, machining, material handling, inspection, pick and place, and welding. Not only will using robotic machinery to perform these functions make your workplace faster and more efficient, but it will also make it much safer. You can rely upon a robot’s repeatability. They will continuously give you the same level of performance as long as they are well maintained.
Thanks to modern technology, the robots industry can now be useful to smaller factories and businesses. Smaller 4, 5, and 6 axis robots are available in more compact models that can still handle a substantial payload. They can take advantage of all of the useful applications that are available and enjoy the benefits of the robot’s repeatability and the high speed in which it performs essential tasks. Production lines and packing stations will no longer back up due to human inefficiency or error. You will be able to see predictable results that you can count on to meet your delivery schedule.
Is your business looking for a robot for sale? Are you trying to find a reliable robot manufacturer that you can trust to provide you with a high quality product and the level of training that you desire? There are several robotic manufacturers out there but they can not all provide you with the level of craftsmanship and customer service that you deserve. Don’t buy from an unreliable manufacturer or one that offers refurbished robots without any training. Learning how to properly use your robot is as important as finding one that you can afford.
Before making your purchase, make sure that the manufacturer can supply you with all of the necessary tools that you will require to get the robot up and running quickly and efficiently in your workplace. You will want to make sure that operators can be fully trained in the operation and programming of the robot and that they will be competent in its day to day operation. There is no point in having an expensive robot sitting around if no one knows how to use it. Make sure that the manufacturer offers comprehensive training and that their products can be operated by factory workers and that they do not require extensive IT knowledge.
It also very important to compare product warranties before you purchase a robot for sale. Make sure that you are comfortable with the coverage that the manufacturer offers you on the robot. Be certain to ask any important questions that you may have before making a purchase. What happens if the robot stops working properly? Who do I contact for parts replacement? What is the typical maintenance required to make sure that my robot performs at its optimal level? These are all questions that you should ask ahead of time. Do not make a purchase if you are not satisfied with the answers that the manufacturer provides you.
Robots are serious investments in capital equipment. When you purchase a robot for sale you should be extremely pleased with its overall performance and the level of customer service that you receive from the manufacturer. They should be helpful in the selection of the robot and in the training required for its operation. Go with a manufacturer that is dedicated to providing you with high quality customer service, a top-notch robot, and affordable pricing. A robot is a significant investment and you are entitled to get your money’s worth out of it.
Sometimes the old adage is true, good help can be hard to find. If you are a business owner, you might be happy to hear that modern technology has made vast developments in robotics. These robots have revolutionized the way that factories operate and are now being produced in smaller scale models so that their applications can be used in small to medium sized businesses. Even if you have a smaller scale business, there are robotic units that have been designed to meet your needs and fit into your budget. While these robots will still need to be maintained by human hands, they can eliminate some of the tedious jobs that were performed by unenthusiastic and underperforming laborers.
Depending upon where your production line has a bottleneck, there are a number of robotic components that can help get you back on track. Many factory managers will point to packaging as one of their weak points. A packaging robot can successfully speed up your production line and eliminate costly manual operations. There are a number of packaging robots available, from extremely large models to much smaller units that are perfect for small to medium sized businesses. These smaller units are much more affordable and they are small in design so that they can fit into tighter spaces.
By purchasing one of these robotic units you will finally see the results that you had hoped for. Your concerns about not being on schedule for shipping will diminish once you see the robot in action. A packaging robot can give you the high speed and repeatability that you are looking for. Humans are inconsistent and can easily make errors or cut corners. These robots are designed to perform the required function over and over again the exact same way.
A packaging robot is predictable, meaning that their performance is always consistent. This bodes well for your entire production line. You won’t have to worry about one of your employees having an off day or not feeling well and holding up your entire production line. If you can only afford to purchase one robotic unit in your factory, consider buying one for your packaging needs. Once your packaging phase of production has caught up with the rest of the line your entire operation will benefit.
Robotic palletizing is the absolute best method available for packing up your pallets and getting them ready to go. My business was struggling a bit to keep up with the increased amount of orders that received once we started outsourcing our sales department. Most of my equipment on the production line was robotic and mechanical so it was easy enough for me to manufacture more of my products but I had been relying upon factory workers when it came to product packaging and palletizing. This are was becoming a real source of problems.
Firstly, I never really noticed that employees called off regularly since I had never needed the line to move as fast as it is currently. Secondly, I hadn’t paid attention to the fact that each employee moved at their own respective pace which could vary greatly from day to day or even hour to hour. Not only was this frustrating to watch but I realized that I had absolutely no way to predict when they would complete tasks. I had to come up with a solution fast before my orders out to my new customers were late and I lost them as future customers which would defeat the entire purpose of outsourcing my sales in the first place.
I called up the manufacturer of the assembly robot that I had for over a decade that was still in excellent condition. I had always been impressed by the quality of the robot and I was hopeful that the manufacturer would be able to point me towards an automated solution to my problem. I was both relived and excited to hear that they had new models out that could take care of my packaging and palletizing needs. They had several available models that could perform robotic palletizing and packaging depending upon the payload that I would be working with.
I was also very happy to find out that these robots were affordable and compact so I wouldn’t have to worry about finding an adequate amount of space to set them up in. I knew that I still needed to rely upon my workers to take care of several aspects of the entire production phase; I just needed to find a way to speed up the process and achieve some level of predictability when it comes to my manufacturing timeline. I knew that robotic palletizing and packaging machinery would help me to address my problem satisfactorily.
Production requires at all stages the movement of materials. This is usually done through a conveyer system. But as any operator of a man-run plant knows, there are always some bottlenecks at sortation, inspection, packaging, or dispensing that either slow down production or create serious headaches when the belts are running too fast or when one of the employees is of his or her game. Not only is timing an issue, but employee inaccuracies can cost companies not only in lost product or unnecessary refinishing, but also in lost accounts due to poor QA, packing, or handling.
Material handling robots eliminate almost all of the SNAFUs that can arise from material handling on a production line. In receiving, they can be mounted on the floor or ceiling to transfer large loads – including pallets – from the loading dock to the first stage of production (for instance), where another handling robot can pick widgets from each box in the pallet, making sure to carefully pick up each emptied box and place them in a recycling bin. In sorting, a handling robot can pick objects of a certain size, color, or shape, and move them to a different process. As part of QA, a handling robot can be fitted with a camera that can identify common flaws and automatically pull or knock the offender off of the line to be refinished by machine or manually, or discarded. And in packing, material handling robots can pull an exact number widgets from the line to stack neatly in outgoing boxes and then move full boxes to another belt for sealing and labeling.
The bottom line result of employing material handling robots is that a tremendous amount of time is saved over what it would take for flesh and blood humans to do the job. Because production can be so much faster, production capacity is greatly increased for any given amount of space, and hours of worker payroll are greatly reduced, saving businesses money while increasing production capacity (i.e., the potential to earn money). When the precision of material handling robots is also factored in, it is easy to see that there is actually a cost associated with not “handing over” at least some manual functions to the more efficient robots – if not reconstructing the entire production process to be run automatically.
It seems like it was another time when workmanship was the pride of manufacturing firms, rather than retirement benefits and paid vacation. It used to be that great work entailed big sales, and that good workers would be rewarded as a matter of due course – a reward for their skill. But today, as a sense of entitlement pervades many labor-intensive industries and as machinery takes the place of many real hands, the advantages businesses need is not in workmanship – if workmanship didn’t die decades ago, then the competitive advantage from it surely did – but is instead in technology. When it comes to the new workmanship, building the best means having the best technology to do the job and stay competitive.
The advent of the articulated robot has undoubtedly revolutionized the way even small manufacturing firms conceive of their manufacturing processes. Because of its human-like flexibility and machine-like speed and reliability, the employment of the best robotics has become the prerequisite for the new great workmanship. When assessing which arm best fits the function, businesses should educate themselves about a few features that will affect the quality of the work done.
First, consider repeatability. If a machine constantly needs to be recalibrated, it will slow done production and detrimentally affect quality. Repeatability under +/- .05mm is good, and under .03 is excellent. Next, consider ease of programming and operation. A robot can only perform as well as it is instructed to; to instruct it well, programming should be reasonably intuitive, and operation should not require an advanced degree in physics. Though this is a slightly non-technical aspect, it is of the utmost importance for those looking to achieve high-quality results from an articulated robot or any other type of robot for that matter. Third, ensure that the arm is the right size and has the right payload capacity for the job. An arm that is too big will be inefficient and have to make unnecessary motion to perform a function – costing time and money – while an arm that is too small may not be strong enough to perform the function adequately – in the case of pressing or stamping, for instance. Last, choose a brand that carries a high reputation for innovation. Each year, the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry in Japan awards a company for quality and innovation in robotics – look at the list of winners.
By following these tips, manufacturers can be assured that their machine-made products will have the stamp of the new, more profitable workmanship.
