A robotic palletizer utilizing the D:PLOY platform is an instance of an off-the-shelf system that’s pre-configured and out there now. | Supply: OnRobot
In immediately’s fast-paced manufacturing panorama, automation is not a luxurious however a necessity. Nonetheless, with numerous approaches out there, choosing the proper one may be daunting. The Robotic Report spoke with James Taylor, chief industrial officer at finish effector supplier OnRobot, to debate the advantages of “off-the-shelf automation.”
How off-the-shelf automation is totally different
What precisely is off-the-shelf automation, and the way does it differ from turnkey techniques?
Taylor: Off-the-shelf automation refers to finish, pre-built, and pre-configured robotic techniques designed for particular purposes. These techniques supply same-day set up and clear pricing, are able to deploy with minimal setup, and, most significantly, they permit producers to re-deploy or changeover their manufacturing piece rapidly with out professional help.
Turnkey techniques, however, are sometimes partially pre-engineered however nonetheless require customization, programming, and on-site integration. If it is advisable to make any modifications, they require experience and engineering expertise.
So, whereas turnkey options sound handy, they nonetheless contain a level of complexity?
Taylor: Precisely. Turnkey techniques typically require integrators to customise and program the applying, growing prices and lead time, in addition to resulting in potential downtime for any modifications that must be made after preliminary setup.
This implies turnkey is usually a superb selection for conventional automation with very particular necessities and excessive manufacturing quantity, however turnkey will not be an efficient answer to deal with the bigger want of purposes with excessive combine manufacturing.
What are the first benefits of off-the-shelf automation for producers?
Taylor: The advantages are quite a few. By leveraging economies of scale, off-the-shelf techniques have decrease upfront prices and clear pricing. These techniques are pre-built and require minimal on-site modifications, guaranteeing same-day set up and minimal downtime.
Moreover, off-the-shelf options are designed for quick and simple in-house workpiece changeovers, eliminating the necessity for specialised programming expertise or exterior integrators. Moreover, commonplace robotic-system merchandise for particular purposes are primarily based on a confirmed automation software program engine to cut back dangers of customized techniques.
Are you able to present a real-world instance of an organization benefiting from off-the-shelf automation?
Taylor: Actually. WEMAS Absperrtechnik GmbH, a German supplier of highway security merchandise, applied an off-the-shelf robotic palletizing answer powered by OnRobot’s D:PLOY platform.
It changed a guide process and achieved same-day set up, leading to $31,000 in annual price financial savings.
D:LOY a platform for creating standardized techniques
Off-the-shelf automation affords an alternative choice to ‘turnkey’ techniques that also have to be custom-made, programmed, built-in, and deployed onsite. | Supply: OnRobot
How does D:PLOY match into the off-the-shelf automation panorama?
Taylor: D:PLOY is a no-programming, computerized software program improvement platform that allows the creation of full, off-the-shelf robotic techniques. It empowers OEMs and integrators to develop standardized robotic techniques for particular purposes like palletizing, CNC machine tending, and packaging.
As a result of there isn’t a programming concerned, D:PLOY permits end-users to simply deploy and redeploy techniques for brand new workpieces in minutes, with out requiring programming experience.
So D:PLOY isn’t just a product; it’s additionally a platform for creating off-the-shelf techniques?
Taylor: Right. It’s a improvement platform that permits integrators and machine builders to rapidly create full, off-the-shelf robotic techniques. This permits them to develop aggressive choices for a section of consumers who will not be served immediately with conventional automation expertise or turnkey purposes.
By standardizing the providing, they will leverage economies of scale to decrease prices, cut back lead instances, and decrease the venture danger that may include custom-made techniques.
Are there different examples of corporations utilizing D:PLOY to create off-the-shelf automation?
Taylor: Sure, Simply Automate, a Dutch integrator, makes use of D:PLOY to create its off-the-shelf robotic palletizer, MoveComponents.
Schrobbelèr B.V., a beverage producer, additionally benefited from MoveComponents for palletizing heavy bottles. The corporate skilled a transparent, simple course of with detailed technical specs and a easy, no-surprises worth. The system was up and operating in someday, and product changeovers are simply managed in-house with out technical experience.
Seeking to the way forward for off-the-shelf automation
What does the long run maintain for off-the-shelf automation?
Taylor: We’re on the cusp of a brand new technology of off-the-shelf robotics, and the economies of scale of this transformation will make these merchandise extra reasonably priced and accessible.
As well as, by eradicating programming fully and drastically lowering the complexity of putting in and re-deploying robots, it’s solely logical to imagine that the adoption of robotics in automation will enhance dramatically. That is precisely what occurred with the adoption of private computing, which was additionally as soon as an software just for the skilled skilled.
Any ultimate ideas for producers contemplating automation?
Taylor: Don’t accept only a robotic arm and ask your self in case you are searching for turnkey or off-the-shelf, particularly for those who want an answer that gives transparency, ease of use, and the pliability to adapt to altering manufacturing wants. Off-the-shelf automation isn’t just a pattern; it’s the way forward for manufacturing.
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