Collaborative Robots, AVG, Industrial Robots - What the best solution?
There are so many different applications for each one of these robot solutions. In looking for the best fit for your project and there are a few things to consider. Those things could be as simple as how to get a product from point A to point B, right through to alleviating stress on workers from repetitive tasks. Choice should not be just about price but about application, how often the robot will be in use and maintenance of the robot including cycle times.
In looking at the different scopes of work required for each one of these types of robots let’s consider the size of the room, the type of work the robot will be doing and if there is a human required to interface with the robot.
Choices for Industrial Robots -
Collaborative Robots - These types of robots sometimes called Co-bots are being used where they are completely interfacing with humans. We recently had the opportunity to meet a Collaborative robot here at Triton Innovation. YUMI is a collaborative robot from ABB. His function was setup to serve coffee, fun application. However, could this robot be used in production? Yes! Here is a sample of where a small collaborative robot could be used.
ABB YUMI Collaborative Robot - https://youtu.be/_d5dgNkDEgI
AGV – Autonomous Guided Vehicle - AGVs have defined paths or areas within which or over which they can navigate. Navigation is achieved by any one of several means, including:
following a path defined by buried inductive wires
surface mounted magnetic or optical strips
inertial or laser guidance
There are several types – Here are some samples
Unit load automatic guided vehicles - https://youtu.be/IVo8EOuKGsY
Forklift automatic guided vehicles - https://youtu.be/8Jlo5C8ydb4
Tugger automatic guided vehicles- https://youtu.be/pB-o-9HAu6A
In general, AGV’s use one of two ways for guidance – Fixed path – a physical guided path – Wired, Tape or Paint on the floor. Free-Ranging AGV’S don’t have this physical requirement they use software for the guidance so as you can imaging it would be much easier to change paths and nothing is absolute. That being said, they do need to have correct configuration and timing/scheduling to make sure that the product is delivered when it is needed.
Industrial Robots – All purpose and proven!
Increased efficiency, Improved quality, Safer Working Environment and Increased Profitability
Industrial robots can complete certain tasks faster and more efficiently than humans with accuracy and efficiency. Higher levels of accuracy with industrial robots can be used to produce higher quality products. Thereby reducing the time required for quality control and ensures that standards of quality are adhered too. There are some tasks are deemed as too dangerous or laborious and repetitive for humans to carry out and so instead industrial robots can perform these tasks without concern and for longer hours. So therefore, working conditions can be significantly improved along with safety within factories and production plants by taking advantage of these technology forward robots.
Industrial Robot Sample - https://youtu.be/G09piOh2s3w?list=RDCMUCM_CsBtYQd5zVuYdwmNpT6g
Finally, we have had the opportunity to work with companies and see firsthand that industrial robots regardless of choice providing the correct robot was chosen for the application, can only ensure higher profitability with lowering cost of product. This is simply because industrial robots have increased efficiencies in process, reduced resources and time required to complete and also resulted in a higher quality of product. So in the long run any one of these robot solutions will save companies money in the long run.
Triton Innovation has the background, experience and the knowledge required to assist you in making the right choice of robot for the application. Our objective is to help you Automate Everything!