Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, are designed to work safely alongside humans in a shared workspace. Cobots excel at automating repetitive tasks like:
- Pick-and-place operations
- Material handling
- Assembly tasks
- Machine tending
- Welding
- Stacking or Unstacking
Here’s a breakdown of their purpose and why they are becoming increasingly popular in manufacturing:
Purpose of Cobots:
- Assist with Repetitive Tasks: Cobots can automate repetitive tasks that are often tedious, tiring, or even hazardous for human workers. This can free up human employees to focus on more complex activities that require problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Examples include pick-and-place operations, material handling, assembly tasks, and machine tending.
- Improve Productivity and Efficiency: By automating repetitive tasks, cobots can help to increase production rates and improve overall efficiency within a manufacturing facility. This can lead to higher output and potentially lower production costs.
- Enhance Worker Safety: By taking over potentially risky tasks, cobots can help to reduce the risk of workplace injuries for human workers. This is particularly beneficial for tasks that involve heavy lifting, working with sharp objects, or exposure to hazardous materials.
- Increase Flexibility and Adaptability: Many cobots are designed to be easy to program and redeploy. This allows manufacturers to quickly adapt their production lines to changes in demand or product design.
Why Cobots are Required?
- Labor Shortages: The manufacturing industry is facing a skilled labor shortage in many regions. Cobots can help to bridge this gap by automating tasks that would otherwise be performed by human workers.
- Rising Labor Costs: In some cases, cobots can be a more cost-effective solution compared to human labor, especially for repetitive tasks.
- Evolving Manufacturing Needs: As manufacturing processes become more complex and require greater flexibility, cobots offer a valuable tool for adapting production lines and meeting changing demands.
- Safety Concerns: Cobots can help to improve worker safety by taking over tasks that pose a risk of injury.
Overall, cobots are a valuable tool for modern manufacturing, offering benefits in terms of productivity, efficiency, safety, and flexibility.
Cobots Manufacturers:
Here’s a list of some of the leading companies that manufacture and sell cobots:
- Universal Robots (UR): Considered a pioneer in collaborative robots, UR offers a wide range of cobots for various industrial applications, known for their user-friendliness and versatility.
- ABB: A global automation and robotics leader, ABB offers a line of cobots called YuMi, known for their high precision, dual-arm design, and safety features.
- Yaskawa: Another major robotics player, Yaskawa offers Motoman cobots designed for a variety of tasks, including assembly, material handling, and machine tending.
- FANUC: A leading industrial robot manufacturer, FANUC also offers a line of cobots designed for ease of use and fast deployment.
- KUKA: Renowned for their industrial robots, KUKA offers cobots that combine power and precision for various applications.
- Techman Robot: A Taiwanese company, Techman Robot manufactures cobots known for their high performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
- AUBO Robotics: A Chinese company, AUBO Robotics offers cobots designed for ease of use and affordability, making them suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
- Doosan Robotics: A South Korean company, Doosan Robotics manufactures cobots known for their affordability, ease of use, and safety features.
- Rethink Robotics: Rethink Robotics, known for its Baxter cobot, was acquired by Bosch in 2018. While Baxter cobots are no longer being manufactured, Bosch continues to support existing users.
- Precise Automation: Precise Automation offers a line of cobots called EVO, known for their compact design, ease of use, and affordability.
Cobots Communication Protocols:
Cobot communication protocols vary depending on the specific manufacturer and model. Here’s why:
- Proprietary Communication Protocols: Some cobot manufacturers develop their own proprietary communication protocols for communication between the cobot controller and peripherals or other systems.
- Standard Communication Protocols: Many cobot manufacturers also support common industrial communication protocols like:
- Modbus TCP: A widely used protocol for communication between electronic devices, enabling basic data exchange for control and monitoring.
- CIP over Ethernet/ IP: A common networking protocol that allows cobots to connect to networks and potentially integrate with higher-level systems like SCADA or MES.
