Before the start of the current coronavirus pandemic, most global companies focused exclusively on automating their own production. However, the «Chinese» virus has made its own adjustments. Since the confirmation of the pandemic, the relevance of automation has increased by 40%. Today, more and more companies are ready to invest their own money in business automation, business.
It is noteworthy that just a decade ago, the introduction of robots seemed unusual and more mythical than today. However, already today, hundreds of executives are calculating future income after investing in the purchase of robots. Admittedly, there are still some executives who have their own doubts about acquiring automated robots in production.
In today’s article, we will try to analyze ten issues related to the introduction of robotics into modern production.
Aspects of production automation
It is probably this aspect that is paramount, in which all kinds of leaders face before starting to get acquainted with robotics. Managers, first of all, are concerned about the functionality of robots, the possibilities in production.
It is worth noting that all kinds of operations can be automated. The main condition is that the robot, during operation, must be in one place. For example, the robot can connect the body, tighten all kinds of screws or sort products. In any case, there is a suitable application for machines.
Then there is the question of the speed of work and the radius of execution. As a rule, a person performs similar tasks much more slowly than a robot. This is another big plus in investing robots.
Potential investment value
The second question, of course, concerns the likely investments required for further investment.
Today it is difficult to talk about possible investments in robotics for production. As a rule, the final amount depends on the following points:
- The number of robots involved.
- Number of shifts.
As a result, any leader, thanks to the creation of a plan, can easily calculate the payback of such investments. On average, with a full working day, the payback will not exceed one calendar year. In the worst case, if you need to purchase several robots, the payback can last up to two years.
Implementation timeline
First of all, the manager must pay for the potential purchase. Additionally, it is worth choosing a quality supplier. For example, local suppliers work much longer than foreign suppliers. However, it is better to choose local suppliers, as this choice will save on tuning, installation and further testing.
The average time for the preparation and creation of robots is 2-4 months, depending on the number and number of operations. It is also worth adding up to 5 weeks for improvement and testing in production.
Security
It is important to understand that for the correct operation, the enterprise must comply with all kinds of safety measures for the supplied equipment. To do this, robots are fenced with metal fences, additionally equipped with switches.
Alternatively, special sensors are used to help enclose the robot with a laser. When approaching the robot, the sensors instantly detect movement, which causes a further cessation of work. Also, robots can be connected to a single system. For this, DPA technology is used.
Business continuity
Obviously, a person, even with a strong desire, is not able to work 24 hours a day without a break. However, many industries, given the plan, need to operate around the clock, which makes robots the best to acquire.
Most modern robots work around the clock. These machines need two things to function:
- Electricity.
- Compressed air for the operation of pneumatics.
Also, this question should be clarified before buying. As a rule, cheap and old models are not able to work around the clock. Therefore, it is better to invest in a more expensive model that can pay off faster, additionally bringing more benefits years later.
Need for maintenance
Before buying, the manager should ask about the timing of maintenance. As a rule, each model has its own timing, so there is no exact answer to this question. On average, for expensive models, maintenance is carried out every three years. For cheaper models — once every two months. You should also consider changing the drive belts. This procedure is carried out once a year.
The need for «vision»
As a rule, most enterprises do not choose the “vision” function, due to the high cost and lack of need for “detailed” work. If you need high-quality work with small details or the need for «creative» work, then choosing a robot with vision is an excellent choice.
Compatibility with other equipment
As a rule, most models have the function of combining with third-party equipment. Additionally, it is worth noting that robots can be combined with each other, creating a well-coordinated work model.
If you need to combine work with third-party equipment, then you should contact the developer for help. You should not look for solutions to this issue on your own, since these issues should be resolved exclusively by the developer.
Equipment reconfiguration
This issue is resolved on the spot. If it is not possible to independently figure out how to reconfigure the equipment, the best option would be to call the developer.
As a rule, the latest models of robots in production are not so difficult to parse.
The first models were much more complex, and the help of developers was required to adjust and reconfigure. With each subsequent year, developers are trying to simplify the mechanism, create a clear interface, additionally creating simple instructions for using a particular model.
A small reconfiguration takes a maximum of 20 minutes. Therefore, it makes no sense to call the developer if you can deal with such an issue yourself. For more complex processes (performing third-party operations), it is important to call the wizard.
Choosing the Right Supplier
There is no clear answer to this question. The main thing is to ask each subsequent supplier about the proposed product. Additional advice, of course, does not hurt.
It is important to understand that each supplier will do their own work. Therefore, it is worth choosing a supplier who is ready to perform a specific range of work, creating the ideal machine for creating future products.