Add on robotic automation to compete

There has never been a better time to invest in robotic production systems as they are not only more flexible and reliable, but also more affordable, said a robot manufacturer.

KUKA Automation + Robotics said that there has never been a better time to invest in robotic production systems as they are not only more flexible and reliable, but also more affordable.

If they want to maintain their competitiveness, more British manufacturers need to invest in automation to achieve higher levels of productivity and quality while lowering costs.

* Low robot usage - currently, the UK has one of the lowest ratios of robots per employees in the world, said KUKA, with only 40 robots for every 10,000 staff, whereas Japan and Germany have 320 and 150 robots respectively.

KUKA sales engineer Ian Walker said: "There are no barriers to automation especially as improved software, vision systems and mobility ensure that the latest generation of robots are even more flexible.

The trend towards shorter product life cycles has dictated better flexibility for equipment.

In response, manufacturers such as KUKA have developed robots that can be reprogrammed and redeployed any number of times".

He added: "Emerging technologies such as Camrob also make it possible to use 6-axis robots for machining processes that were previously the domain of CNC machines".

With the price of robots falling and their relative performance increasing, KUKA estimates that a robot purchased today costs less than a quarter of a similar model bought 20 years ago.

At the same time, the price of hardware relative to labour costs has also declined.

Also, today's compact robots with smaller installation footprints now take up less valuable floor space.

Walker said: "Automation offers a raft of value-added benefits including higher productivity rates, rapid payback, better quality, fewer wasted consumables and the removal of downstream corrective rework or rejects.

Robots also improve working environments by undertaking routine or repetitive tasks, removing employees from the presence of heavy machinery, hand tools and the risk of handling heavy weights".

He added: "All these factors add up to important opportunities to improve competitiveness in the marketplace.

Robots can efficiently and reliably automate a vast array of processes at a time when manufacturers are under growing pressure to find alternative solutions to stay one step ahead of their competitors".

Visitors to the UK's MACH 2008 machine tool exhibition will be able to learn more about the advantages of automation at KUKA's stand, which will also feature a rare UK appearance by the Robocoaster, the world's first passenger-carrying robot.

KUKA's new KR5 Arc welding robot will be in action on the neighbouring Wilkinson Star stand 4897/4899 where it will be demonstrating Wilkinson Star's new Cebora range of robotic welding equipment.

* KUKA Automation + Robotics at MACH 2008, NEC, Birmingham, UK, April 21-25, Hall 4, Stand 4895.

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