Manufacturing, as an indispensable part of a country, plays an irreplaceable role in driving economic development. With technologies developing rapidly day by day, manufacturing is also changing and evolving. Nowadays, cobots in manufacturing are gaining popularity.
The global cobot market reached 1.2 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023, and is expected to grow in the coming years. In 2030, it will reach over seven billion U.S. dollars in 2030[1]. The use of cobots is becoming a growing trend.
What is a Cobot?
Cobot is the derivation of a “collaborative robot.” It is easy to understand the word “robot”, but why is it described as “collaborative?” This is because cobots are able to work collaboratively and safely with human workers. Despite the fact that cobots have something in common with traditional robots, there are many differences between them.
Key Differences Between Cobots and Traditional Robots
- Since traditional robots are not designed with advanced safety features like cobots, they are locked in a cage and work independently. Cobots are much safer and they can be seamlessly integrated with human workers.
- Cobots are very easy to program; workers can quickly learn how to operate them. Traditional robots, however, need complex programming and are more challenging to operate.
- Cobot are versatile and flexible, while traditional industrial robots are generally larger, more cumbersome, and harder to move.
Manufacturing Scenarios Suitable for Cobots
Cobots in manufacturing have a wide range of applications; here are three representative examples:
Automotive Industry
The history of robotics has always been closely tied to the automotive industry; today, flexibility has become a key factor next to accuracy and efficiency. Cobots are flexible enough to help in works like new energy battery pack screwing, spraying, train chassis inspection, engine bearing installation, welding and so on; that’s why there are a growing number of cobots in today’s automotive industry.
3C Industry
The 3C industry requires assembling delicate components and carrying out precise soldering tasks. Cobots can empower loading and unloading, display panel gluing, plastic sealing, etc.
Metalworking Industry
In the metalworking industry, collaborative robots have been widely applied in various tasks. They are perfect choices for stainless steel laser welding, multi-angle screw locking, plasma cutting, as well as other scenarios alike.
Benefits of Using Cobots in Manufacturing
Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity
- Increased Throughput: Cobots can work without breaks, maintaining consistent performance and increasing overall production throughput. This non-stop capability helps meet high-demand schedules and reduces bottlenecks in the production line.
- Versatility in Task Handling: Cobots can perform multiple tasks, from assembly to loading and unloading. The flexibility allows cobots to be quickly reprogrammed to different tasks as needed.
- Optimized Human-Robot Collaboration: Cobots enhance productivity by allowing humans to focus on more complex and creative tasks while the cobots handle repetitive or physically demanding jobs.
Improved Safety
- Safety Features: Cobots are equipped with advanced safety features such as force sensors, speed limiters, and emergency stop functions. These features ensure that the cobots can safely interact with human workers, reducing the risk of workplace accidents and injuries.
- Reduced Exposure to Dangerous Environments: Cobots can complete tasks in environments that may be dangerous to human workers, such as handling dangerous chemicals, working in extreme temperatures, or operating in areas with high levels of noise or vibration. This reduces the potential risk and improves overall workplace safety.
Improved Work Accuracy
- Advanced Sensing and Adaptation: Introduced with sophisticated sensors, cobots can detect and correct issues such as misaligned parts or variations in material properties, ensuring that the final product meets stringent quality standards.
- Accuracy in Complex Tasks: Cobots excel in performing intricate and delicate tasks that require a high level of accuracy, such as soldering small electronic components or applying precise amounts of adhesive, leading to improved work accuracy.
Han’s Robot in Manufacturing
If you are looking for collaborative robots in manufacturing, Han’s Robot is a perfect choice, especially the Elfin-Pro Collaborative Robots.
Internal Wiring: The Elfin-Pro Collaborative Robot is connected to the AI vision system through internal wiring, which reduces the number and length of external cables, simplifies the wiring process, and avoids problems of tangled wires and signal interference.
Force Control Integration: The Elfin-Pro Collaborative Robot has constant force control for perfect trajectory, as well as a soft control with smooth free-drive teaching. The force exploration is suitable for intelligent assembly, making the small batches and flexible production of multiple varieties to be possible.
Higher Protection, More Applications: Elfin-Pro robot realizes 1000Hz real-time control refresh frequency, which can achieve industry-leading trajectory precision control, stable and reliable performance, faster response, and safer human-machine collaboration.
High Sensitivity, Much Safer: With IP66 protection, the Elfin-Pro robot can be adapted to different production environments, further extending the range of applications.
Conclusion
As cobots are fueling the manufacturing industry, you will see more and more cobots in manufacturing to help improve efficiency, accuracy and safety. Cobots are human operators’ good friends! If you are finding your manufacturing friend, consider Han’s robot!
References
- Collaborative robots worldwide – statistics & facts. Available at: https://www.statista.com/topics/8062/collaborative-robots-worldwide/#editorsPicks (Accessed: 17th, July)
