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10ways that robots can make you more competitive

Robots have been proven to deliver a host of benefits in a wide variety of applications. End users introducing robots to their production processes have typically seen a significant transformation in their productivity and efficiency, with higher levels of output, product quality and flexibility amongst the many improvements reported.

1. Reduce operating costs
Using robots enables you to reduce both your direct and overhead costs, making a dramatic difference to your competitiveness. Take energy, for example. With no requirement for minimum lighting or eating levels, robots offer a great opportunity to cut your energy bills. Current estimates point to a potential saving of 8% for every 1°C reduction in heating levels, while savings of up to 20% can be achieved by turning off unnecessary lighting.
Robots can also eliminate the costs associated with manual workers, not only in terms of wages, but also additional costs associated with training, health and safety and employee administration.

2. Improve product quality and consistency
With robots you can produce a consistently high quality finishing of materials, as the machine will not suffer from tiredness, distraction or the effects of repetitive and tedious tasks. Their inherent accuracy and repeatability also means that you can count on a high quality finish for every product produced.

3. Improve quality of work for employees
With robots you can improve working conditions for your staff. They’ll no longer have to work in dusty hot or hazardous environments. In addition, by teaching them how to use robots they can learn valuable programming skills and do work that is more stimulating.

4. Increase production output rates
Robots can be left running overnight and during weekends with little supervision, so you can increase your output levels and meet your client’s order deadlines. A robotic solution will not need time away from production for breaks, sickness, distractions or lapses of concentration. Robots now also be programmed to handle new products off-line, ensuring new products are introduced for faster production.

5. Increase product manufacturing flexibility
Robots can provide flexibility to your production line. Once the processes you require are programmed into the robot controller, you can easily switch from one to another and maximize your spend investment by using robotics equipment for a variety of products.

6. Reduce material waste and increase yield
By using robots, you can vastly increase the quality of your production. You will have more products finished first time to the standard required by your customers, and reduce the amount of breakages and waste produced as a result of poor-quality or inconsistent finishing. With products being produced to such a high level each time, you will gain greater yields.

7. Comply with safety rules and improve workplace health & safety
Robots can readily take over unpleasant, arduous or health-threatening tasks that may be currently undertaken by manual workers. By using robots, you can decrease the likelihood of accidents caused by contact with machine tools or other potentially hazardous production machinery or processes. They can also help to eliminate ailments associated with repetitive or intensive processes, such as repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and vibration white finger

8. Reduce lab our turnover and difficulty of recruiting workers
The high precision demanded by today’s industrial processes requires the highest levels of skill and training. With highly skilled manual workers becoming harder and more expensive to employ, robots can provide an ideal alternative. Once programmed for your process, they are ready to begin work with none of the costs associated with recruitment or ongoing training of people. Robots can also offer greater flexibility, both in terms of work patterns and the ability to handle different production tasks.

9. Reduce capital costs (inventory, work in progress
With robots you can reduce the cost of consumables used and reduce wastage. By moving products faster in production, businesses can better predict the production rate and ensure a fast and efficient service is delivered.

10. Save space in high value manufacturing areas
Robots can be placed on shelf systems, on walls or even on ceilings. They can also be programmed to work in confined spaces so you don’t lose valuable floor space

Application by industry
We have a range of robots available for automating your plant process - whether it’s for packing food or welding sheet metal we can provide a robot to suit your application

Automotive

ABB provides a comprehensive range of robotic products, solutions and services for car manufacturers and Tier One companies

Packaging and Palletising

ABB offers a broad range of robots and systems for handling of food and beverages, medical products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care products and electronic products

Metal Fabrication

We have extensive experience in the supply of robots and robotic systems for a range of metal fabrication applications

Foundry and Forging

ABB offers a choice of smart and cost efficient automation solutions for most manufacturing processes in the foundry & forging industry

Plastics

ABB’s broad range of 6-axis robots cater for every conceivable need and can perform a variety of tasks during the plastics production cycle