| Investing in robotic equipment can be a big | | | | future programmer or operator. With the |
| leap for a small business. Industrial robots | | | | proper training, the programmer should be |
| have been automating tasks since 1961. The | | | | able to reliably produce efficient and |
| first industrial robot, the Unimate, worked | | | | effective robot programs. Basic groundwork |
| with the die casting machines at a General | | | | training is a minimum, with the real learning |
| Motors plant. In the last decade there has | | | | happening on the shop floor. |
| been a surge of robots being integrated into | | | | |
| mid-sized and smaller companies. One reason | | | | Generally your robotic integrator will |
| is the growth and affordability of the used | | | | program your robotic system to interact with |
| robot market. With the leaps made in controls | | | | your current equipment and leave you with a |
| technology, companies are upgrading robots | | | | turnkey solution that requires only a push of |
| before the current model has finished its | | | | a button. It is still ideal to have trained |
| life-span. However, the overall functionality | | | | personnel on hand should a future problem |
| of the six-axis articulated arm has not | | | | arise. Routine maintenance, such as an annual |
| changed in the last decade. As companies | | | | grease replenishment and battery replacement, |
| consolidate and reorganize, the factory | | | | is also an issue that you will want a trained |
| surplus is sold.Automation benefits include | | | | individual to perform. Many robotic systems |
| saving money and reducing production time. | | | | have been destroyed by well-meaning |
| Automation also leads to an increase in part | | | | maintenance by individuals that do not |
| quality and reliability. These are some tips | | | | understand the complex nature of the robotic |
| to help you get started implementing | | | | system. |
| automation onto your factory floor.Involve | | | | |
| the Shop Floor Workers | | | | Watch Part Fit-Up and Repeatability |
| | | | |
| Consulting the workers that currently | | | | The most problematical issue with welding |
| produce the part is a good starting point. | | | | robots is part quality. Robotic systems are |
| This is the person who has the experience to | | | | designed to repeat the same sequence of |
| know what works and what had not worked in | | | | events. If the robot system has been damaged, |
| the past. They often have helpful insight | | | | repeatability can become an issue. Robotics |
| into the process that you can not gain by | | | | systems sold feature a repeatability |
| simply watching. Requesting their | | | | measurement and that should be taken into |
| participation in the robotic welding project | | | | account along with payload and reach |
| will help it be more successful. | | | | requirements. Used robots should be tested |
| | | | for accuracy and repeatability during the |
| The workers who manually perform the process | | | | reconditioning process. When performing |
| can provide advice on the configuration and | | | | properly, robotic systems are more reliable |
| specifications of the equipment up front, | | | | and produce parts far superior in quality |
| avoiding the possibility that the equipment | | | | than manually welded parts. |
| is not as ergonomically friendly or | | | | |
| productive as it could be. Failure to involve | | | | Touch sensing and seam tracking can be used |
| them disregards the insight they have gained | | | | to compensate for weld joints that are not |
| though experience with the process. | | | | static, but robots are limited by the laws of |
| | | | physics. The use of quality equipment in |
| Choose your Robot Operators and Robotic | | | | conjunction with robots improves the part |
| Programmers Carefully | | | | fit-up. Attention should be paid to lasers, |
| | | | welding and cutting torches, welding power |
| Most industrial robots are controlled by the | | | | supplies, raw consumables, and other |
| use of teach pendants. Several of these | | | | variables that could lead to a loss of |
| pendants now are programmed with an interface | | | | quality in the finished product. |
| that resembles a personal computer. An | | | | |
| individual that is computer-literate will | | | | Calculate Estimated ROI |
| have less trouble learning how to instruct | | | | |
| the robot and moving it to accomplish the | | | | There has been a steady growth in the robot |
| desired tasks such as welding or material | | | | industry over the past decade. Experts |
| handling. | | | | predict that this growth trend will continue |
| | | | in future years. Welding robots are still the |
| For instance, the challenge of transforming | | | | majority of the market, but many applications |
| a manual welding process to a robotic welding | | | | can be handled by robots. The general |
| process is best handled by someone with a | | | | rule-of-thumb is that a robotic welder can do |
| solid background in manual welding. This | | | | the work of four manual welders. Therefore |
| would be an ideal person to select for | | | | when production is increasing, the choice to |
| programming or operating the robotic welder. | | | | add robotic welders is easily justified. It |
| When choosing robot operators, programmers, | | | | will also improve efficiency, productivity, |
| and technicians, special consideration should | | | | and part quality. Higher quality leads to a |
| be given to motivated employees that are | | | | greater demand for your product. Improved |
| willing to learn and advance their skills. | | | | efficiency will enable you to be more |
| | | | competitive in your market. The improved |
| Make Training a Priority | | | | productivity will allow you to meet your |
| | | | production demands without a larger |
| It is important when purchasing a robot | | | | workforce. RobotWorx is an industrial robot |
| integrator to choose one that provides | | | | integrator that specializes in new and |
| training on the robotic system. This allows | | | | refurbished robotic equipment. As industrial |
| your company to be able to fully utilize the | | | | automation experts, they can help you achieve |
| robot and minimize later down-time due to | | | | your robotic ROI goals. They integrate robots |
| mechanical problems. Ideally the person | | | | from popular manufacturers such as Motoman, |
| chosen to receive the training should be the | | | | Fanuc, Panasonic, ABB, and others. |