5 Tips For Implementing An Industrial Robotics Solution
You know how robotics can help you be more productive. You’ve determined whether robots will provide a return on your investment. Maybe you’ve even determined which type of robot will work best in your application. Now that you are ready to begin implementing a robotics solution, what is your next step? To help you get started on your robotics journey, here are five tips for successfully implementing an industrial robotics solution.
1. KEEP IT SIMPLE
You might not be an expert on implementing robots right away, but that’s okay. Practice makes perfect and can help you grow more confident in your capabilities over time. It is best to start with a challenge that is easy to solve when you are new to robotics.
If you attempt a complex solution and fail, are you really getting the most out of your investment? Are you going to have the confidence to try again? When a robotic solution fails, it’s usually because the end-user either applied the robot to the wrong application or didn’t work with the right partner.
Make sure to choose a supplier that is innovative, familiar with your industry and experienced with the robot you are working with. Robots can make you more productive – just start simple and take a successful first step before you discover bigger and better solutions.
2. CALCULATE YOUR APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Once you select which type of robot you need, how do you determine which robot can handle the payload you are working with? You need to calculate your application requirements based on your payload, reach and cycle rate. To calculate your payload, add the weight of the product or material being picked by the robot with the weight of the end-of-arm tooling being used to manipulate the product. Then determine how far the robot needs to reach and how quickly it needs to move.
Once you know those three factors, find a robot that is specified to meet your application requirements. Can your robot still support your payload at the full extension of its reach and at the speed it needs to travel? Choosing a robot with a capacity too small can lead to failure, and choosing a robot with a large capacity can be an inefficient use of your funds and space. If you need help determining the most efficient setup, Van Meter has experts who can walk you through your application.
3. PREPARE YOUR WORKFORCE
It’s not just programmers and maintenance technicians who are affected by the arrival of a new robot. Adding a robot to your operation will change routines for all employees on the plant floor. Do they know how to work safely around robots? How will their roles change? Robots can perform tasks that are dull, dirty and dangerous and free your workers up to do other tasks that add more value and are more gratifying for them.
If your technicians do not feel comfortable working on robots, there are training opportunities available to develop their capabilities. Collaborating with your team, Van Meter can help you roadmap your training needs and point you in the right direction. Van Meter’s robotics partners offer training, and we are currently developing a robotics training program. Whether you need help with programming robots or post-sales service support like preventative and scheduled maintenance, there is a training opportunity that can help you bridge the skills gap.
4. DEVELOP A SAFETY PLAN
Before you purchase and install a robot, you need to know how to deploy it safely. While robots reduce injuries and risk, they are not without safety risks to workers in the plant. To start, performing a safety assessment can help you find potential risks in your application and make sure your robot is safe for people to work around.
For cobots, increased safety can be as simple as making sure employees know how to operate and work with the robot or making sure the end-of-arm tool is appropriate for the given application. Van Meter’s Doosan cobots are designed from the ground up with safety as a priority. All six axes contain torque sensors that can stop a motion before it causes damage, and the arm is designed with a curved neck to prevent people from getting pinched.
For industrial robots, Van Meter can advise on how they should be guarded or offer a more creative solution like safety line scanners or light curtains. Using light curtains as an example, sensors can determine whether there are any humans in a work area and adjust the speed of the robot accordingly to prevent a high-speed accident.
5. ASSESS YOUR CAPABILITIES
Once you have developed a robotic solution, you need a plan to install it. Start by assessing your existing capabilities and comfort level with robots. Some users will be confident in their ability to install robots. If you are not as confident, Van Meter can support you through the installation process or recommend an integrator to install it for you.
Your capabilities can vary based on the type of robot you are installing. Collaborative robots (or cobots), for example, are more intuitive to use, easier to program and faster to deploy. You might be able to install and operate it with little programming assistance. With a more elaborate industrial robot, it might make more sense to bring in Van Meter’s services team or an integrator that can get you up and running.
Are you ready to start implementing your robotics application? Remember you are not on this robotic journey alone. If you still need help, reach out to your account manager with questions or call 1-800-247-1410 to connect with one of our robotics experts.
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