A New Era of Automation: Exploring the Benefits of Collaborative Robotics

Last Updated on April 26, 2023 by Ossian Muscad

The world of robotics is rapidly advancing, and with it comes the emergence of collaborative robotics. This new era of automation has opened up many possibilities, allowing robots to work alongside humans in ways never before seen. Collaborative robots can sense their environment, respond to changes, and adapt quickly for more efficient production. 

They have already been adopted in many industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, retail, and logistics, but what makes them so powerful? This article will explore the potential benefits of adopting collaborative robotics and discuss how these technologies can increase productivity and efficiency while maintaining safety standards.

What is Collaborative Robotics?

Collaborative robotics is the term used to describe robots that are designed and programmed to operate safely with humans in close proximity. Unlike traditional industrial robots, these robots have sensors that detect and respond to environmental changes. This will enable them to work with people without risk of harm or injury.

Collaborative robotics has been used to increase productivity and efficiency in many industries. In manufacturing, collaborative robots can assist with tasks such as assembling components, packing items, welding, and painting surfaces. Logistics have been used for order picking, palletizing, and depalletizing of goods. 

Collaborative Robotics Vs. Traditional Robotics: What’s the Difference?

Robotics technology has become increasingly prevalent across various industries, revolutionizing traditional manufacturing processes and introducing new applications across diverse fields. With the growth in industrial automation, two primary types of robotics have emerged- traditional and collaborative.

Traditional Robotics

Traditional robotics technology has been used for decades, mainly in the manufacturing and assembly industries. These robots have been designed to operate confined to a container, cage, or cell. Traditional robots are generally large, industrial, and typically bolted to the floor. 

They are programmed to perform a single task repetitively, usually in a highly controlled environment. They also require trained personnel to interact with them safely, wearing specialized protective equipment such as gloves and goggles to avoid injury.

Collaborative Robotics

Collaborative robots, known as cobots, were designed to cooperate with human employees. Unlike traditional robots, cobots are smaller and more flexible, equipped with advanced sensing technology to operate safely with humans in the same workspace. They can work alongside human operators without risk of injury, as they are designed to shut down operations upon contact with humans or other objects in their environment. 

Cobots are also programmed to perform multiple tasks and even learn from their human counterparts through guidance. They are highly adaptable and ideal for manufacturing and supply chain industries where product lines and processes are subject to frequent changes.

Differences

The main difference between traditional and collaborative robots lies in their design, functionality, and level of human interaction. While traditional robots require specialized training, protective equipment, and help from experts to set up and operate, collaborative robots can be set up with relative ease and operated by those without prior experience with robotics.

Collaborative robots are also more flexible and effective in performing multiple tasks when compared to traditional robots, which are programmed to do the same task repetitively. On the other hand, traditional robots can handle large payloads and work at higher speeds than collaborative robots, making them ideal for tasks that require high output and speed.

So, while traditional robots are still vital in various industries, collaborative robots are taking the lead as an innovative and efficient use of robotics technology.

Benefits of Collaborative Robots

Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, offer a range of benefits to businesses that deploy them. Here are some of the key benefits of using these robots:

• Fast installation: Collaborative robots are designed to be easy to install and set up, compared to traditional industrial robots. They can be quickly reconfigured and adjusted to suit different production needs without requiring specialized skills.
• Quick programming: These robots can be programmed quickly and easily using intuitive interfaces and programming languages. This means businesses can achieve greater flexibility and responsiveness in their production processes based on changing market demands.
• Versatility: Collaborative robots can perform various tasks, from pick-and-place operations to assembly and inspection tasks. They can also operate safely alongside human workers, reducing the need for costly safety barriers and improving production efficiency.
• More consistent and accurate than humans: Robots can perform repetitive tasks more accurately and consistently than humans. This can also help to reduce errors and improve the quality of manufactured products.
• Better employee morale: Cobots can help reduce human workers’ workload, allowing them to perform more complex and engauging tasks. This can also enhance employee satisfaction and reduce turnover.
• Increased productivity: Collaborative robots can work around the clock without breaks or rest periods. This can help businesses achieve greater productivity and output while reducing labor costs.

Collaborative Robotics Applications in Manufacturing

Collaborative robots are increasingly being used in manufacturing applications across various industries. Here are some of the most common applications for these robots in manufacturing:

• Assembly operations: Collaborative robots can perform various assembly tasks, including parts assembly, soldering, and wiring. They can also work alongside human workers and adapt to changing assembly requirements.
• Pick-and-place operations: Cobots are great at picking up and placing objects in an automated production line. They can be used to move parts or raw materials from one location to another, increasing the speed and efficiency of the production process.
• Inspection operations: Collaborative robots can be equipped with vision systems and sensors to perform quality control inspections. They can also detect product defects and anomalies, reducing the risk of defective products reaching the end user.
• Packaging operations: Cobots are ideal for packaging and palletizing products, as they can work quickly and accurately without getting tired. They can also handle heavy loads, reducing the risk of strain injuries for human workers.
• Material handling operations: Collaborative robots can transport raw materials, finished products, and equipment around a manufacturing plant. This helps businesses avoid time-consuming manual labor while reducing the risk of injuries.
• Welding operations: Cobots can be used for welding applications, including spot and arc welding. They can move along pre-programmed paths like traditional industrial robots but with added safety features that enable them to work alongside human workers.

Develop Collaborative Robots Using a Low-code Platform

If you want to develop your collaborative robots, a low-code platform can help you get started quickly and cost-effectively. Low-code platforms provide an easy-to-use interface for developing applications without writing code. This makes them ideal for businesses that want to design their innovative robotic applications but don’t have the resources or expertise to write code. 

Low-code platforms also allow businesses to develop and deploy applications quickly, enabling them to keep up with the pace of change in the robotic automation industry. This means they can quickly create and deploy new applications to production, helping them stay ahead of their competitors.

DATAMYTE is a quality management platform with low-code capabilities. The DataMyte Digital Clipboard is a low-code workflow automation software that features a checklist and smart form builder. This tool lets you create a comprehensive checklist of quality checks and inspections that can be used to validate the performance or creation of collaborative robots.

To create a checklist or form template using DATAMYTE, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the DATAMYTE software platform and navigate to the ‘Checklist’ module.
2. Click “Create Checklist” to create a new checklist.
3. Define the title of the checklist and the category in which it belongs.
4. Use DATAMYTE’s low-code capabilities by adding items to the checklist; click “Add Item.” You can define the description of the item, the type of answer required, and any other specifications, such as reference documents, acceptance criteria, or limits.
5. Assign appropriate personnel responsible for completing the checklist and any required approvals, such as supervisors or quality assurance personnel.
6. Save the checklist, and it will be available for use.

DATAMYTE also lets you conduct layered process audits, a holistic assessment of critical process steps, focusing on the areas with the highest risk of failure or non-compliance. By conducting LPA with DATAMYTE, you can effectively identify and correct defects before they become major quality issues.

DATAMYTE is the complete package for creating and implementing collaborative robots in your business. Book a demo with our team today to learn how DATAMYTE can help you get the most out of collaborative robotics. 

Conclusion

Collaborative robots are revolutionizing the way businesses can automate their processes. By offering increased accuracy and safety, faster production speeds, and reduced operational costs, collaborative robotics is becoming an increasingly attractive option for businesses looking to move into the new era of automation. With a low-code platform like DATAMYTE, businesses can easily create and deploy their own collaborative robots with minimal effort and cost.

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