Industrial automation: robots or cobots?
As industrial technology advances, leading to the automation of various production processes, the footwear industry has multiple options for different operations, ranging from assembly and mounting to scraping, gluing, and finishing. The ultimate goal is to increase productivity while maintaining high quality, resulting in greater efficiency, cost savings, and competitiveness.
Among the tools available in the market are robots and collaborative robots (cobots).
Industrial robots are designed for large-scale production and occupy more space, while cobots are engineered to work alongside human operators in shared workspaces.
In terms of size, cobots are compact and easily relocatable, whereas robots are larger and typically remain fixed in one position.
Cobots are programmed to work in collaboration with humans, whereas robots do not interact with them.
On the other hand, cobots offer the advantages of robotic automation without the additional costs of traditional robots.
Regarding safety, industrial robots, due to their intensive activity, can sometimes be hazardous. For this reason, they must be installed with safety barriers to protect people. Cobots, on the other hand, are designed to enhance worker safety and improve working conditions. Some of the key elements that contribute to their safety include:
Deliberately low execution speed
Reduced mass
Rounded edges
Minimal operating noise
Cobots are equipped with sensors that allow them to stop in case of obstruction or necessity. In this regard, the mission of cobots is to provide the opportunity to eliminate safety barriers, bringing people to the core of the production process and facilitating their integration into the production chain.
They are the result of the evolution of robots, which, thanks to technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and 5G, have enhanced their capabilities into so-called collaborative robots that can work alongside humans. They do not emerge to replace human labor but to enhance capabilities and streamline processes.
The main difference between cobots and traditional robots lies in their capacity and versatility. A traditional robot is conceived, planned, built, and used for a single purpose, which it can accomplish with optimal efficiency. In contrast, a collaborative robotic arm, or cobot, can be designed to perform either a single task or multiple tasks, depending on production needs. It can be easily reprogrammed to carry out a new set of tasks quickly and without requiring the assistance of a robotics expert.
While the robot works independently, the cobot functions as an assistant to the worker rather than a replacement. There are several advantages to working alongside cobots, as they can operate continuously for up to 24 hours, are designed to exert the necessary force for heavy-duty tasks, and efficiently perform repetitive operations, ensuring higher product quality. Additionally, they enable companies to achieve greater levels of productivity.
In robotics, and specifically in programming, for many professionals, it remains a specialized knowledge known only to a few. This is the case with traditional robots, as they are complex machines that require the intervention of an expert. In contrast, cobots are easier to operate and can be programmed by anyone without needing a prior training period.
They are equipped with intuitive programming, versatile use, and an infinite list of collaborative applications, as well as accessories compatible with cutting-edge technologies.
To start them up and move their components, it is only necessary to have an electronic device linked to the robot. This feature makes it easier for anyone to work with them, even without experience, as programming is done through user-friendly software and applications.
The more compact size of cobots, combined with their ability to be quickly reprogrammed, makes them perfect for relocating and performing other tasks within the company. This allows them to be flexible and easily learn different tasks; in this case, they can adapt to various stages of the production process. As a result, cobots are an effective, robust, safe, and precise tool capable of freeing workers from complex and hazardous tasks that could lead to injuries and accidents.
The startup process is another differentiator between industrial robots and cobots, as, unlike conventional robots, cobots can be operational in less than 12 hours.
Source: Atria Innovation/CoMManDIA/Universal-robots/Desma/ABB Robotics.
