Companies are increasingly considering mobile cobot solutions. Especially with frequent product changes, small batch sizes and fast delivery times, cobots must be flexible and effective. A mobile cobot makes this possible. But still the question is, which solutions are available and from when on such a solution is worthwhile.
Here you will find answers to these questions.
Why are mobile cobots becoming more popular?
Mobile cobots provide the answers to questions that arise daily in production:
- How can machines be used even more efficiently?
- How can processes be automated flexibly and effectively?
- How are even the smallest companies globally competitive?
Cobots are lightweight robots. Therefore, collaborative robots can be used not only static. For example, a UR3e weighs just 11 kg. Flexible use is thus easily possible. The Cobot can then be seen like a tool in the toolbox, used wherever it is needed. But not only that. The footprint is also very small. Conventional industrial robots quickly reach their limits because of their space requirements. It’s a completely different story with cobots. They can work reliably even in confined spaces. Because of this compactness, cobots are ideal for mobile robotics.
How can cobots be mobilized?
We present three ways to make your Cobot mobile. These three solutions are: Our integrators who support you, solutions among UR+ products and self-designed constructions.
The implementation with our integrators
Our network of integrators will support you as a user and develop the right application. Also, if you want to make your Cobot mobile.
UR+ for more mobility
Also among the UR+ solutions are some possibilities to mobilize your cobot. Little by little we will make these solutions also possible here in Switzerland.
Your own implementation
There are companies that like to develop their own solution for cobot mobility. One example is Hofman Glastechnik GmbH. They have mobilized their cobots using their own design.
The fleet of mobile cobots is integrated into the entire manufacturing cycle at Scott Fetzer.
Optimization of production with mobile cobots
The Scott Fetzer company has been using mobile cobots in manufacturing since 2015. The cobots are mounted on pedestals with wheels. This mobility is necessary because the product mix is versatile and the quantities are low. Depending on requirements, the cobots can therefore be used throughout the manufacturing process. Applications range from cutting at the cutting press to forming, folding and assembling electrical components. The mobile robots have enabled Scott Fetzer to optimize its production by 20 percent.
Mobile cobots help your skilled workers
Hofmann Glastechnik GmbH also uses mobile cobots. The 4 cobots are intended to make better use of the skilled workforce and further optimize processes.
Two of the cobots feed several PLC-controlled glass lathes for up to 11 hours per day. Hofmann itself has developed a mobile device that allows them to easily move the cobots between machines. The employees are convinced by this solution, as it massively simplifies their workflows.
The mobile cobots at Hofmann Glastechnik GmbH work on different machines as needed.
Find mobile potential
When companies use mobile cobots, there are even more opportunities to fully exploit their potential. You should always ask yourself whether a mobile variant makes more sense for your application after all. If the cobot is underutilized with an application, then you should definitely consider a mobile solution.