The industrial robotics market is booming, and more than ever before companies are automating their production process using cobots. But what exactly are cobots? What makes them different from regular industrial robots? What advantages do they have? And what are their limitations? DIY-Robotics will help you decide if a cobot is right for your company by answering four frequently asked questions about collaborative robots.
What is a cobot?
A collaborative robot, or a cobot, is engineered to cooperate with humans in a shared workspace. This is in contrast with standard robots, which are designed to operate autonomously, or with limited guidance in a closed-off robot cell. Cobots can sense and react to humans to prevent injury. By eliminating the need for a safety zone, factories can reclaim floor-space because cobots effectively have a smaller footprint than typical robots.
How do cobots work?
Cobots are notably easy to program. Simple tasks, such as pick-and-place, can be programmed with little knowledge of coding, often on a tablet. At the same time, cobots can be as robust and advanced as a traditional industrial robot. When connecting cobots to other machines, advanced programming can exponentially increase their usefulness.
Cobots can easily adapt to different environments and can easily be assigned new tasks and configurations. As is the case with traditional industrial robots, the work done by cobots and humans working together is more consistent and accurate than what humans can do alone.
Can my company afford to buy a cobot?
The price of a cobot depends on many variables. Payload and intended use are the top indicators of price. Specific configurations, compatibility with other machines, and ability to be repurposed for multiple tasks are examples of elements that contribute to the variation of the price. Consider, however, that the return on investment is relatively fast. Decreases in workplace injuries, an increase in production, and round-the-clock manufacturing guarantee a return on investment. As one of the largest FANUC robotic arm integrators in Canada, DIY-Robotics offers a high-quality robotic cell, with the robot included, very close to the retail price of the robot alone!
Which cobot should I choose for my business?
Before you start automating, you need to ask yourself which robot is the best choice for your business. Ask yourself and your team the following questions: What long term flexibility do you need? How easy are the programming, installation, and setup? Is the end-of-arm tool optimally designed for your needs? What are the safety advantages of each specific model? What are the operational ranges (payload, reach, etc.)? If that still doesn’t narrow it down for you, check out DIY-Robotics’ online tool to help you design a robotic cell specifically for your company’s needs.
If you plan to buy an industrial robotic cell, we invite you to visit the DIY-Robotics forum. Our certified integrators will be happy to answer your questions and help you build the right cell for your company.
