The Roles of Robots in Industries

Robots Offer Many Benefits In A Variety of Sectors And Aid In Automation.

In this modern age, many sectors are looking towards automated systems to increase production and decrease costs and downtime. Most industries have made use of industrial robots for decades and acquire them in large numbers. Albeit the case, what role do they play in their respective industries? The pioneer in industrial robotics was George Devol, who, in 1954, built the first functional industrial robot. General Motors was the first to have an industrial robot machine installed in 1962, with the intention of assembling engines and to become the first automated production line. Following the success of the debutant machines, inventors and engineers the world over began developing technologies to improve the functionality of the rudimentary robots.

Using industrial robots make it easier to increase the quality and quantity of products of any type and in any type of industry. Unlike a manual workforce, robots can perform tasks repetitively, that may be dangerous, and tedious, or tasks that require a certain degree of quality and precision. This, in itself, demonstrates the importance of these powerful programmable machines, where the objective is to increase quality and productivity. As robot-friendly industries go, the automotive industry is the most obvious employment of industrial robots. While the field of robotic engineering is very wide. The importance and popularity of industrial automation is recognised in many a modern industry. 

The Automation of Production Lines

Automation comprises a series of practices, which sometimes involve physical equipment and the software or programmes that control the equipment, as well as methods and technology that control a certain process. This works in such a way that an automatic “production line” reduces human intervention as much as possible. Thus, the purpose of automation is to carry out industrial processes automatically, in an efficient production environment, satiating the demand for products in mass quantities.

And by replacing manual labour by robots means that the processes are carried out much faster, with lower rates of waste and with the possibility of scheduling the production to run 24/7, if need be. 

The Importance of Automating Industrial Processes

The very fact that we find ourselves in a highly globalised and competitive economic environment, process automation should come standard. Thus, it has become a key factor in optimising the production line and managing to satisfy demand at a lower price and with shorter delivery time. Furthermore, the replacement of a manual workforce by robots usually entails a faster and more efficient management of resources, offering organisations in a variety of industries and sectors competitive advantages with which to ensure their optimisation in the market. That is why industrial robotics are a key factor in business survival, development, and ultimately growth. 

The use of robots in industrial sectors offer three stand-out advantages to organisations:

Cost-effectiveness

Although the cost of installing and implementing machines and their software may be a considerable investment at first, the return is well worth it. In other words, it is proven that the investment usually pays for itself quickly. Once the company has recovered the investment made in the initial purchase, it only takes a short while to reap the ultimate benefits, especially if one takes into account that a robot can perform the tasks of several workers.

Productivity

One of the main and most obvious advantages of using robots for automating industrial processes is the increase in productivity. It’s only logical that this should occur seeing that traditional labour is subject to fatigue and other sets of circumstances that in the long run cause a decrease in its performance. However, a robot carries out the same job with optimal precision, which ultimately translates into higher performance. 

Safety, efficiency and precision

A common concern for many companies is the need for the highest standard of quality in production processes, which is to ensure products are manufactured with precision and excellence. Robots reduce production accidents and losses, which is one of the highest costs for modern-day industries.