The manufacturing industry was one of the first to adopt automation technology and most businesses in the sector use it in some form. There are so many different automation tools out there, but pick and place robots are one of the best. If you’re not already using them, it’s likely that your manufacturing business will benefit in some way.
So, whether you are starting a new manufacturing business or updating an existing one, here’s everything you need to know about pick and place robots.
What Are They And How Do They Work?
As the name suggests, pick and place robots are designed to pick items up and place them down somewhere else. This is usually achieved through the use of a robotic arm with a grabbing end, powered by an SMC pneumatic actuator, allowing it to pick things up. While moving items from one place to another doesn’t seem like the most amazing thing in the world, it’s incredibly useful having a robot that can do this at high speeds.
There are a number of different ways that pick and place robots can be used in manufacturing. In many cases, they are used to quickly assemble parts of a product. In the past, this job would have been done by a whole team of employees.
Robots are also commonly used for packaging. Products come along a conveyor and the robot picks them up and puts them in their packaging, which is then sealed by another automated machine.
More advanced pick and place robots can be used for bin picking. This means picking specific parts or products out of a large bin of items, even in cases when the products are mixed. This requires more advanced AI applications along with the pick and place robotic arm.
Finally, pick and place robots can be used for inspection. As finished products move along a conveyor, the arm will pick them up and inspect them for defects. Any products that don’t meet the right standard will then be removed from the supply.
Why Should Your Business Use Them?
You’re probably wondering why your business should invest in pick and place robots instead of doing these jobs manually.
Speed is the first big benefit of using pick and place robots. A robot can handle up to 200 products per minute, which is far more than a human could ever hope to manage. This means that your production line is far more efficient and that translates to a faster turnaround for your customers and an increase in revenue.
Consistency is another key factor to consider because errors cost you money. A robot performs a task in exactly the same way every time, without making mistakes, meaning that your products are always consistent and you can reduce losses caused by human error.
Although there are maintenance costs to consider, using pick and place robots is far cheaper than hiring a team of employees to carry out these tasks instead.
If your manufacturing business is not already using pick and place robots, you’re missing out on an opportunity to improve productivity and consistency while also saving money at the same time, so what are you waiting for?