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