With the changing rules and trends in the manufacturing and automotive industry, innovation and technology cannot be evaded. The more the industry embraces this technology, the more they become competitive in the market.
Assembling is a major component of these industries. The advancement in technology and emerging trends in the market has enabled creation of assembly line robots to increase the productivity of the industry. Usually assembly line robots are articulated with collaborative robot arms to improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
Categories of assembly line robots
There are three different configurations of assembly line robots. These are;
- Four axis articulated arms “SCARA”
- Sis-axis articulated arms
- Modern “Delta” configuration
The modern delta robot has surpassing acceleration and speed due to its configuration. This robot uses motors located on its base area to move the three connected arms. Its model symbolizes a ceiling-mounted spider. However, articulated assembly line robots have more payloads than the delta robot.
Specifications of the different types of assembly line robots
- Vision systems-Vision enables a robot to pick the desired components from a conveyor. This reduces or removes the need for precise location. Additionally, visual serving enables the robot to accurately put the parts of the components together.
- Force sensing- Force is applied at some point in the assembling line. Force sensing gives the robot controller feedback on how much force is being applied or how well the parts are being assembled.
Uses of assembly line robots
These highly productive robots can be applied in the following areas:
- Automotive components. For example; gear boxes, pumps and motors
- Computer and consumer electronics
- Household appliances
- Medical devices.
Benefits of assembly line robots
- Offer speed and high precision. Assembly line robots are able to accurately follow the programmed instructions very fast. The do not get tired or bored hence their speed and productivity is consistent.
- Lowers operation cost. These robots are small in size hence occupy small spaces in the company enabling the company to utilize more spaces for more tasks in the production process. Moreover, assembly line robots can also be reprogrammed for use with different machines. These aspects enable the company to save more and lower their production cost.
- They are flexible. Assembly line robots can be customized to meet the needs or requirements of the company.They are also easily deployed to perform different tasks.This enables the company to be adequately responsive to the emerging trends.
- Replace humans operating in dirty and dangerous jobs. The mechanical nature of an assembly line robot enables it to perform the above tasks without much strain. This reduces repetitive strain and injuries to the employees. They therefore become more productive in other areas of production hence increasing the overall productivity of the company.
- Increase and maintain the quality of the product. Like many robots, assembly line robots have consistent productivity. Unlike humans, robots do not require breaks or sleep for them to gain their energy back. This consistency, accuracy and increased productivity enable the robot to produce the desired quality all the time at any time.
- Low-risk and high return investment. With its high productivity and state of operation, an assembly line robot is able to make high returns to the company. This makes it suitable for both large and small businesses that want to optimize their productions.
- Maximizes the profits of the company. The accuracy of the assembly line robots enables them toreduce wasting the raw materials provided. The accuracy also reduces cases of reworks that increase the additional production costs of the company. Minimal waste and reworks enables the company to maximize on its profits.
Most people believe that assemble line robots take human jobs, leaving them unemployed. This is however a myth because the more competitive the products become the more the tasks and activities in the industry increase. This therefore means that humans are able to occupy better and high level occupations in the industry.
Acquiring an assembly line robot to optimize on production and profit is therefore a wise decision to make.
