5 advantages of cobots
For many companies, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a good way forward in today's production landscape. This is mainly due to two important aspects. Firstly, the shortage of skilled workers is increasing. Baby boomers are retiring, leaving the workforce and taking their skills with them. More and more research is predicting a significant shortage of qualified employees over the next decade. For example, this study by Deloitte.
The second aspect we can mention is our demanding customers. They demand real-time availability, even better quality, fair working conditions and lower costs. Added to this is a volatile and unpredictable global economy.
How can you counter these trends and run your business profitably? Accelerate automation in your business.
Don't worry, we're not suggesting industrial robots that require a large investment and safety restrictions. We are talking about cobots or collaborative robots. They overcome the limitations of classic robots and enable even the smallest companies to automate their production.
We show you 5 ways in which you will benefit from using cobots.
Increase in productivity
The risk of injury for employees is very high, particularly in the case of repetitive, everyday and ergonomically challenging tasks. At the same time, these tasks are ideal for the use of cobots. These tasks occur in many production environments. Cobots can therefore significantly increase productivity in many areas of application. Collaborating robots work alongside your employees and take over the boring and repetitive tasks. In doing so, they reduce human error and allow you to use your employees for more valuable work.
One example of this application is Hyundae Induction Hardening Heat Treatment (HIHHT). The company was struggling with the fact that errors were constantly occurring due to employee fatigue from repetitive tasks. After installing two UR10 robots, the error rate dropped from 0.03% to 0.01% and production efficiency increased by 31%. Furthermore, the automation enabled two more employees to be hired.
HIHHT uses two UR10 robots in its induction hardening heat treatment process, whereby the untreated automotive component is placed in the treatment machine and then the treated component is placed on a conveyor belt.
Better profitability
Of course, the goal of every company is to be as profitable as possible. By using cobots, you can reduce production costs and increase your profitability. A study conducted by the British research company Smither Pira in 2019 found that a 1% reduction in production costs means a 34% increase in profits.
Humans can use the cobots as a tool to ensure better accuracy and consistency. This saves you unnecessary downtime, which can be very costly, and shortens cycle times.
More satisfied employees
At first, your employees will most likely be skeptical about cobots. However, this skepticism is completely unfounded. Cobots will not and should not replace human workers. Rather, they are there to work alongside employees. The cobots take over the monotonous and error-prone work. You can then better position your employees and give them tasks that require more insight, skill and reason. If you don't confront your employees with dull and dangerous work, you can take on more rewarding tasks. According to a 2019 study by McKinsey, extensive automation can make it easier to recruit and retain employees. This happens mainly because you create new technical tasks with better pay, better opportunities and better working conditions.
Highest quality
Consumers today demand higher quality goods at lower costs. By using cobots, you can minimize human error and improve product quality. You can ensure consistency and accuracy, improve your ability to produce complex goods and identify errors more easily.
RUPES committed to "zero defects" in its production. The company came to Universal Robots in search of a solution. They wanted to empower their workforce to do a better job, minimize waste and achieve immediate results.
By using cobots in production, RUPES was able to reduce or even completely eliminate human labor. In addition, fewer raw materials were wasted, thus protecting the environment. The goal of "zero defects" was thus achieved.
RUPES uses UR robots in its production line. Employees found the robots easy and quick to install and program, and they had an immediate impact - maintaining product quality and improving productivity.
Optimum flexibility
Flexibility is becoming increasingly important for many companies. Economic uncertainty and unpredictable consumer behavior make it difficult for manufacturers to predict production. Cobots are a great help in this respect. With collaborative robots, you can adapt your production to demand with complete flexibility and expand into new markets much faster. Many tasks are possible, from quality assurance and machine loading to metal stamping and testing. Cobots are now even able to automate heavy and multi-part material handling. And you don't have to compromise on precision. It is also possible to program a cobot with different tasks. This allows you to use it flexibly as required.
Cobots have been adding considerable value to many companies for 10 years. Automation is now a must for many manufacturers in order to keep production in the country. Companies that do not invest in cobots will sooner or later find themselves in a difficult position. Cobots are essential to remain competitive.