Robotics versus Dedicated Automation

How do we decide which type of automated solution is best suited to our needs? Well, this is a big question which bears a connection to the commercial climate in which we trade.

DEDICATED - Assuming that contractual projections are in place for a prolonged period of supply, the 2 major considerations have to be volume and component mix. In an ideal world a dedicated piece of automation is specifically designed to manufacture multiples of 1 component type, at very high speed.

If the dedicated machine has to produce a family of similar parts, then the tooling cost will rocket and the lengthy changover times will represent lost production. Dedicated automation has no inherent flexibility. The possibilities for component modification during product lifecycle are also very limited.

Dedicated automation should be the more economical solution. As the equipment has no flexibility, the engineering content will be lower. The loss of a contract will however mean that the equipment has no alternative purpose in life and is effectively scrap. The equipment has no resale value.

ROBOT - The robot fills a niche in between dedicated automation and the human operative. The robot is more suited to automate a job previously carried out by a human. The Anthropomorphic attributes of the robot enable it to perform a task in a similar way. Significant changes to the process are not necessarily required. The only pre-requisite is that the robot achieves this in a more cost effective and productive manner.

The robot brings a flexibility to the process which dedicated automation cannot provide. The robot is more able to accommodate modified operations as products evolve.

The robot is a standard product which is built for stock. Lead times can be reduced when using robots in preference to design and build of dedicated automation. Obviously this is also reflected in start-up times when testing and commissioning.

When a job is finished the robot can be re-trained (re-applied). It has residual value whether it is re-used or sold on.