Industrial Automation

As robots become increasingly ubiquitous, so does the demand for artificial intelligence. A robot workforce provides the biggest advantages when it can think, adapt, change, and learn all on its own. This necessarily leads to decreased human involvement and intervention. Factory owners can expect the field of AI to continue to evolve rapidly, and robots may soon possess computational skills that rival our own intellectual abilities.

The connection between the technologies

The goal of AI is to recreate the human thought process. So, it makes sense that if companies are implementing robotic automation to replace human workers in their factories, then AI has a key role in developing a superior automated process. In fact, this is already taking place. AI is responsible for making modern robots more flexible than their rigid predecessors. Individual units can be reprogrammed and repurposed for many tasks and several points in the assembly process. Like a human, AI allows these machines to learn how to perform these tasks more efficiently. Unlike a human, however, a robot with AI learns quickly and does not need retraining.

Industry Applications

Numerous industries already benefit from robotic automation. These same industries can compound those benefits with AI-powered process automation. Assembly, packaging, sorting, and machining factories are just some of the applications that can be leveled up by AI. But impressive hardware is only half of the solution. For example, AI is beneficial in adaptive vision systems for inspection. Accuracy, speed, and efficiency will improve when AI governs vision processing. Companies need to incorporate smart learning software too if they want to take full advantage of the 21^st Century automated factory.

Chatbots

AI isn’t limited to the factory floor. Chatbots are already in use in our daily lives. From Siri and Alexa to intelligent phone systems that can redirect customers to the person best able to help them, chatbots have been quietly seeping into our culture for years. Like their factory floor counterparts, Chatbots handle the repetitive processes that do not require a human, and in some cases make the process smoother for all parties involved. Humans are great at jobs that require judgment calls. But if their just patching customers to the correct extension, they aren’t living up to their potential and the entire business loses out on having them in a more ideal position.

Are you frustrated with the AI phone system at your phone company? Think you could improve on it? Why not try this kit to see just how challenging it can be to create the perfect human analog.

Other Ideas for AI Applications

Are you set on implementing more AI in your business? Want some more creative ideas for applications? Not a problem. There are numerous resources. ElectronicsForU.com is just one of many places that provide ideas for neat little projects you can try at home. Tinker around with some of the most basic applications, and using this sandbox-method of brainstorming, who knows what you’ll be able to come up with? You can find tons of ideas on their website here.

New ideas are surfacing every day when it comes to how to merge AI and robotics. DIY-Robotics knows the marriage of these two fields is as promising as it is inevitable. For more ideas on how to implement versatile, dynamic robotic cells into your workflow, check out the resources at DIY-Robotics.com.

When you are investing in an industrial robotic arm, there is more to consider than the sticker price. For instance, how quickly you’ll see a return on your investment? Is the arm you’re considering versatile enough to handle multiple tasks or integrate with various stages of the automation process? How much will it cost to maintain the robot to keep your investment running in optimal condition? In this article, we’ll look at the true cost of a robotic arm and help you decide if it’s the right investment for your company.

How is the price of a robot determined?

Payload capacity often determines the price of a robot. The more the robot can handle, the more engineering went into its design. As a rule of thumb : the bigger it is, the more expensive it becomes. However, complexity and versatility also factor heavily into the price. Through how many axes does the robot operate? How many degrees of freedom does the arm have? A 6-axis robot may be more expensive than a 4-axis, but if you’re in the business of packaging, for example, a 4-axis robot is likely sufficient.

Is it worth buying an industrial robotic arm for my business?

Industrial robotic arms offer many advantages that justify their price over their lifetime. For one thing, they are less likely to make errors than humans who can become fatigued or distracted. They are not prone to repetitive stress injuries like humans are. Robots do not require breaks and can work around the clock, potentially doubling (or more!) your production. Robot movements are more precise and consistent, reducing the number of recalled products or returned defective parts.

Robots can also be repurposed for new tasks and reintegrated into the production line at different stages. With humans, there is a learning curve that can slow down the entire process. With robots, if they are properly programmed, they can move seamlessly from one job to the next without much adjustment.

How much does a DIY-Robotics cell cost?

Based in Quebec, DIY-Robotics is one of the largest FANUC robotic arm integrators in Canada. By integrating FANUC robots exclusively, we offer high-quality robotic cells at a competitive price. In many cases, we can get the price of your cell, including the robot, close to the retail cost of the robot alone! Contact one of our sales representatives for a quote.

Now that you understand how the price of a robotic arm is determined, it’s time to see how your automation project could become a reality. By working with DIY-Robotics to build your robotic cell, you’ll know you’re getting the best deal because you help design the robot cell according to your specific needs. Download our Ultimate Guide to Build Your Own Industrial Robotic Cell and get ready to enter into the Industry 4.0.

Industry 4.0 is the new buzz word in the field of automation, and companies looking to be on the cutting edge may want to know how they can be part of this new movement. You may be wondering if Industry 4.0 is all it’s marketed to be? Or is just a gimmick? As you’ll see, Industry 4.0 is the real deal, and here’s what you need to know about it.

The Industrial Revolutions

The first industrial revolution, often just called The Industrial Revolution, took place in the mid to late 18^th century. During this time, machinery began replacing hand production and speeding up manufacturing processes in Europe and the United States. In the 1900s, rapid development led to new, dynamic machinery that was capable of performing multiple tasks and greatly improving on the first generation designs from the previous century. We sometimes refer to this period as The Technological Revolution. Not to be outdone, the Digital Revolution came about, adding computers into the production process. In this Third Industrial Revolution, we saw the rise of digital technology as the replacement for analog technology.

Now we’re in the midst of Industry 4.0, the 4^th Industrial Revolution. We’re seeing interconnected machinery, computers forming advanced networks, and the internet blending these processes to decrease the need for human intervention. In this new era of industry, we’re seeing a turn toward smart manufacturing, smart factories, lights-out factories, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Smart factory and smart manufacturing

Smart factories and smart manufacturing involve moving away from traditional linear automation practices. These integrated units not only connect every machine in one building, but they are also capable of connecting all of the machines in the entire supply chain, even ones in different locations. Smart manufacturing means that every step from the material handling to the delivery is integrated. This provides major advantages over independently operated, isolated units that rely on human scheduling.

Lights-out factory

Factories that don’t require humans, don’t require lights. These so-called dark factories, or lights-out factories, aren’t necessarily dark. Instead, the name is meant to suggest that they can run without a human being present and therefore could theoretically operate in total darkness. Lights-out factories cut down on wasted electricity and provide a safer more efficient production site. Human operators can control and monitor the facilities remotely and processes can run uninterrupted over 24-hour periods.

The Internet of Things

Gone are the days where an employee walks around the factory floor with a clipboard checking the readings on dials and comparing them to his notes. Sensors, displays, and instruments are all interconnected via computers and cloud-based processing. Machines now possess more than just emergency shutoff switches that provide a fail-safe in worst-case scenarios. Our machines can communicate with a vast network that can identify, isolate and fix a problem without interrupting workflow. Operators can adjust settings remotely, even from their mobile phones. And a change made to one machine in the network can be assessed by all other machines working in concert, all of which can alter their conditions to keep the production flow running smoothly.

Written by: B.A. Durham

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