Manufacturers can significantly enhance product quality through automation, potentially reducing quality issues by 50-75%. However, to achieve these improvements, companies must integrate quality control systems, understand the costs of quality issues, and clearly define quality goals when sourcing automation solutions.

Robotics is rapidly advancing from science fiction to practical uses across industries like manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. Key trends include autonomous systems operating independently, robots collaborating with humans for improved productivity and safety, and AI integration that allows robots to learn and adapt. This technology enables both large enterprises and SMEs to optimize processes and meet growing demands.

No robot can replace a person, but they can handle dull, dangerous, or repetitive tasks, freeing up employees for more fulfilling work. Businesses need to embrace robotics to efficiently adapt to production cycles and address supply chain backlogs and labor shortages.

In recent years, collaborative robots (cobots) have become increasingly popular in production environments due to advances in technology. Gronbach, a global manufacturer, is using KUKA Robotics’ LBR iisy cobot for product testing.

Automated quality inspection cells help achieve zero-defect production and increase throughput through 24/7 operations. However, unexpected stops in complex, AI-powered cells can pose challenges due to unpredictable scenarios and edge cases.

Automating testing and inspection requires careful consideration of tools, including robot type, end-of-arm tooling, and ancillary systems. While cobots are popular for quality tasks, their full collaborative capabilities may not be utilized in some applications, leading to higher costs without maximizing benefits.

Camera sensors and new machine vision applications tend to drive parallel advances in optics, and optics suppliers must continually evolve as machine vision technologies progress.

Along with a host of new products, THK had a record sales year in 2022. Perhaps you saw one of their two large booths at IMTS, with robots serving bottled water.

Manual or human manipulated NDT is still the primary means of performing Nondestructive Testing (NDT) in unique or one-off applications. Mechanical aids and/or computer assisted manipulation and scanning devices can reduce data gathering time on the site of the item being inspected.

Robots are being added in locations that add value so companies can use human employees in higher value areas and tasks still beyond the scope of machines.