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