When a producer considers implementing automation of their operations, one of many first questions that sometimes arises is: What’s the price of a cobot? At first look, this looks as if an easy inquiry, however the reply is way from easy. Including a cobot to your manufacturing line isn’t simply an expense—it’s a strategic funding in effectivity, consistency, and long-term financial savings.
The worth varies based mostly on the mannequin and options, however with the best grippers, software program, and setup, a cobot can rework your operations. Understanding the total value image helps you make an knowledgeable choice and unlocks the true worth of automation. Let’s break it down so you possibly can see how shortly a cobot pays for itself.
As with many merchandise, the price of cobots varies broadly. This variability may be in comparison with one thing corresponding to the value of a automotive. Simply as a fundamental economic system automotive may be bought for just a few thousand {dollars}, whereas high-end luxurious fashions can value tens of hundreds, cobots additionally are available numerous worth factors.
Typically talking, the price of a cobot arm can vary from as little as $15,000 for an entry-level Chinese language-made mannequin to upwards of $60,000 for top-of-the-line, high-quality fashions that boast superior reliability and superior options.
Nonetheless, a cobot arm by itself doesn’t do a lot. Simply as a automotive wants gas, upkeep, and a driver to function, a cobot wants extra parts to perform in an industrial setting. This results in a vital second consideration: the price of the complete cobot system, not simply the arm itself.
Cobot System Prices: What’s Included?
Once you’re budgeting for automation, it’s vital to acknowledge that the cobot arm is just one a part of the equation. To actually get worth from the cobot, you’ll want extra parts, together with:
- Finish-Effector: That is the a part of the system that interacts with the product, corresponding to a gripper or suction cup, and its value varies relying on the particular process.
- Integration & Setup: Relying in your manufacturing line, you could want to change current methods (conveyors, air methods, electrical infrastructure) to accommodate the cobot.
- Software program & Programming: A cobot would possibly require customized programming to perform in your particular surroundings, or, in some circumstances, you could want a specialised interface to assist the cobot work together together with your current methods.
In case you’re choosing a turnkey system the place every little thing is pre-packaged and able to go, the price of a cobot system may be fairly cheap.
Nonetheless, in case your utility requires a extra personalized resolution, the fee can escalate shortly. In these circumstances, the price of engineering experience and the time required to create a tailor-made system can drive the overall value a lot larger.
Customized Options Issues
One of many largest elements that may enhance the price of a cobot system is customized engineering. When you’ve got a fancy process that requires particular tooling or specialised modifications to your manufacturing line, you’ll have to spend money on engineers to design and implement the answer.
Engineering expertise, significantly these skilled with automation methods, is in excessive demand and may come at a premium. Customized options additionally are inclined to have longer lead occasions, that means you’ll have to plan forward for the potential delays in getting your system up and working. Moreover, customized methods would possibly face reliability challenges since they usually incorporate distinctive parts that haven’t been mass-produced or totally examined over time.
That being mentioned, a customized resolution could also be vital for sure duties, and in these circumstances, the elevated funding may yield useful enhancements in effectivity and productiveness.
Nonetheless, in case your process is comparatively easy, there are various off-the-shelf methods that may do the job successfully, preserving prices down.
What’s the Actual Price of Automation?
When contemplating the price of a cobot system, it’s important to deal with the overall value of automation, which incorporates each the preliminary funding and ongoing operational bills. That is the place the idea of Return on Funding (ROI) comes into play. ROI is the important thing metric that producers want to think about to evaluate whether or not the automation venture is well worth the funding.
To calculate ROI, it is advisable to doc the present value of working your manufacturing line or the particular process you propose to automate. This consists of the labor prices related to working the road, such because the variety of staff wanted, their hourly wages, and another prices associated to the operation. You also needs to issue within the annual output of the road, each by way of income and gross revenue. This may present a baseline for evaluating the prices earlier than and after automation.
Upon getting the baseline, you possibly can calculate the price of automation. This consists of the price of the cobot system itself, in addition to any collateral bills corresponding to line modifications, downtime, and extra infrastructure prices. You need to use our Lean Robotics ROI calculator as a instrument to estimate the ROI of a cobot in your manufacturing facility flooring.
The Payback Interval
Sometimes, corporations have a look at the payback interval over a five-year horizon. The payback interval is the time it can take for the financial savings generated by the cobot system to equal the preliminary funding.
For instance, some producers have seen excessive ROI circumstances, corresponding to a vaccine producer who recovered a $200,000 funding in simply two months. Whereas that is an distinctive case, it illustrates the potential for speedy returns when the system allows vital will increase in manufacturing output or when gross margins are excessive.
The Price of Inaction
Whereas calculating ROI is vital, producers additionally want to think about the price of inaction. In case you determine to not spend money on cobot automation, you could proceed dealing with growing labor prices, rising manufacturing prices, and potential challenges with assembly buyer demand. The price of not automating can eat into your margins over time as labor turns into costlier, and also you’re much less productive than your opponents who’ve adopted automation.
In lots of industries, the stress to cut back prices and enhance output is just rising. As labor shortages and financial challenges persist, the choice to automate turns into extra pressing. By investing in cobots now, you’re securing your future competitiveness in an more and more automated world.
The Hidden Advantages of Cobot Automation
Past the plain monetary advantages, cobots additionally supply intangible benefits that may have a big influence on your enterprise. These embody:
- Decreased Ergonomic Dangers: Cobot methods can tackle repetitive, bodily demanding duties, lowering the danger of damage in your staff and enhancing office security.
- Worker Morale & Retention: By automating repetitive duties, you enable your staff to deal with higher-value work, which might enhance job satisfaction and morale.
- Flexibility and Scalability: Cobot methods are extremely versatile and may simply be reprogrammed for brand spanking new duties or scaled to fulfill elevated demand. This makes them superb for companies that have to adapt shortly to altering market circumstances.
- Enhanced Buyer Notion: Many companies discover that prospects respect seeing automation in motion, which alerts innovation and a forward-thinking method.
Able to spend money on a cobot?
Talking with an skilled can present useful insights to make sure you make the best selections in your automation wants. Our consultants might help you assess your targets, perceive the technical capabilities of cobots, and information you thru the method of choosing and integrating the most effective resolution in your operations.
