Arguably a credit to the industry’s marketing efforts, many professionals are scouring various robot suppliers with the sole mission to acquire a cobot. Why? This new technology has been marketed as the modern version of a traditional industrial robot. This tunnel vision often means cobots are purchased and then squeezed into applications they are not relevant for.

 

Take exact drilling for instance. Purchasing a cobot for this application won't be a good idea. The dangerous tool, which must be attached to the robot gripper, will likely warrant positioning the cobot in a cage. Likewise, the application most likely would not benefit from the hand guided teaching that many cobots allow. As with many drilling processes, there are numerous drill patterns which are compelled to be dictated through offline programming. This is why, purchasing a cobot for this drilling application won't be recommend.  

 

Automating manufacturing processes is a complex issue without a one-size-fits-all solution. Undoubtedly, some applications are perfect for cobots, but how can manufacturers determine what type of ‘bot is required?

 

The Case for Cobots

 

Traditionally, this breed of automation represents an unguarded, not difficult to integrate collection of robots that usually carry out recurring tasks. Well, at least that is how cobots are distributed. Strictly speaking, the robotics industry does not acknowledge cobots as a separate entity to traditional industrial robots. Let me explain.

 

International standard ISO 10218 parts 1 and 2 identify four kinds of collaborative features, including safety-monitored stopping, separation and force limiting requirements. Nevertheless, these standards apply when humans work collaboratively with any kind of robot on the same production floor, no matter what the ‘cobot’ label.  

 

This is an essential variation, as new robotics implementers may assume that any cobot is automatically safe for use next to humans. The truth is, this can only be figured out by thorough risk assessment.

 

The implementer may be in for a nasty surprise if the assessment believes expensive safety fencing must certanly be put in place for the cobot to operate. Additional safety features can even result in very low operating speeds or many stops for a cobot. These necessary safety additions are not free, which could add substantially to integration costs.

 

Out of the blue, dropping a cobot onto the production line isn’t as easy as it initially seemed.

 

Selecting Industrial Robots

 

Before selecting a kind of robot, manufacturers should define the application first. Right after that, it will be clear whether a cobot is going to fit the bill. Industrial robots are normally used for more labor-intensive tasks and have long been used to manufacturers to remove humans from dangerous processes on the factory floor.  In arc welding for example, deploying industrial robots is an excellent way to protect human workers from the torch and flash used in this application.

 

Industrial robots can automate a really broad range of processes such as this unattended, with high levels of repeatability. What’s more, multiple industrial robots can be integrated for a completely automated production line, meaning they can deal with applications that are not conducive to humans at speed, therefore removing operators from unsafe or unclean environments.

 

A pretty important consideration, which is often overlooked, is that industrial robots can have collaborative features too. Improvements in safety technology now allows industrial robots to be used in collaborative operations, delivering many of the same benefits that a cobot brings.

 

Of course, this collaboration can only be enforced after the appropriate risk assessment — but that is no different than when choosing a cobot. Not forget, it's the application that defines the ability for human and machine to collaborate. While vendors are willing to claim the term 'collaborative robot', it isn't always so black and white.

 

For high-speed applications, industrial robots will usually win the battle. That said, if the application does not require safety guarding, then the primary investment of a cobot is low. However, this can only be determined through risk assessment.

 

Manufacturers should avoid implementing fleets of cobots. At their current stage of development, this robot type is lacking in speed and is not always able to work as collaboratively as it is marketed.

 

It is necessary that business owners assess the application and the needs of their business’ future carefully first, before making their decision on robot or cobots. Before parting with their cash, manufacturers should consider one serious question — does the robot match the application?

 

Source: Tronserve