Improving Automation with Collaborative Robots
Learn more about collaborative robots, which are designed to ease the transition to automation by working directly alongside employees, with no need for safety caging.
The average person outside of manufacturing generally envisions robots either as large and awkward mechanical structures safely removed from assembly line personnel or futuristic, human-like helpers that handle daily chores with little supervision. Today, robots tend to fall somewhere between those two concepts. The new class of robots known as collaborative robots are designed to work directly alongside employees, with no need for safety caging.
Earlier this year in our March issue, we covered this “robotics revolution” in a feature article that explained their benefits in helping shops move more intuitively towards automation. Read “Collaborative Robots for DIY Automation” for a closer look at ways to bridge the gap between manual assembly and fully automated manufacturing lines.
For an example of a shop putting this technology to use, read “Collaborative Robots Cut Crown Production Time.” This manufacturer of dental implants is realizing faster turnaround time for crowns by using collaborative robots to tend its machine tools.
Related Content
-
Starting Small with Automation
Quick-change workholding and flexible robotic automation started this small shop on the path to success.
-
Reinventing the Wheel with Robot-Automated CNC Multitasking
One race team discovers how to efficiently manufacture a new wheel nut design for the next-generation NASCAR stock car with the help of a CNC mill/turn and a built-in robot.
-
Robot Readiness: Taking Initial Steps Toward Integration
Not confident enough about automating a process yet in your machine shop? These considerations will help you better understand the path to robot adoption.
