For many people, the word robot still conjures up images of an all-knowing, all-capable, all-metal machine shaped approximately like a human being. The image, of course, comes largely from the imaginations of folks who write books and direct movies. We get stuck in thinking about robots strictly as our butlers or our overlords, nothing in between. That blinds us to the fact that they’re very much already here, already making a significant difference.
In no other industry is that as true as it is in manufacturing. Robots are prevalent at so many of the largest manufacturers in the U.S., Asia, and elsewhere. China’s pace of adoption has far and away been the most progressive, with around 290,000 installations in 2022 compared to around 40,000 in the U.S., according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).
Uses are incredibly wide-ranging, a fact that keeps some manufacturers watching from the sidelines. It can be difficult to envision how a robot may fit into your own operations. But with advancements in technology and creative business models to streamline implementation, today robots are within the reach of even small- and medium-sized firms. If we’re to close the gap in implementation with China, SMBs will need to embrace the technology.
To bring the advancements closer to home, here’s a look at several high-impact use cases that might not be on your radar.
1. Painting Cars
No other sector in the U.S. has embraced robots quite like automakers. In 2022, the automotive industry accounted for the installation of 14,472 robotic units, easily more than the next-highest sector. In second place, the metal and machinery industry installed 3,900 units, while the electrical and electronics industry accounted for 3,732 units, the IFR says.
Among other use cases driving that growth: painting. Robots can paint cars faster and with more accuracy than their human counterparts, taking the tedious task away from humans so they can focus on more important work.
2. Building Electrical Components
The process of assembling electrical components is among the most precise tasks manufacturers complete, so it’s no wonder that many of them are opting to put a collaborative robot on the job. With oversight from human specialists, cobots can increase the precision and speed at which things like soldering are completed.
The result is that manufacturers get more done. Using robots in electronic assembly leads to as much as a 25% gain in productivity, according to one study.
3. Handling Materials
There’s just no way around it: human workers who are repeatedly bending and lifting and carrying face a very real risk of injury. But several different designs of robots have sprung up to help companies move materials from point A to point B.
Whether your operation has particularly heavy materials to move or not, it can be a good idea to explore how robots can help you handle them. Models exist to handle the lightest and the heaviest loads.
4. Welding and Metal Fabrication
Safety is indeed a very good reason to institute robots. Metal fabrication is among the most dangerous fields in manufacturing, for instance. Welders work with extremely high temperatures. Robots or cobots built to withstand such heat can significantly cut down on the risk of injury at the workplace. Like other jobs, siccing robots on fabrication can also help manufacturers get more accomplished quicker.
5. Sorting Warehouses and Picking Orders
Some of the most visually mesmerizing applications of robotics come inside warehouses, where automated machines traverse concrete floors to pull, move, stack, and organize stock. Simply put, the human workers often tasked with these jobs are more valuable in other warehouse roles. Robots can do the job faster and with more accuracy.
6. Industrial Floor Scrubbers
Manufacturing would benefit greatly from kicking its reputation as an industry where work is done inside dark, dingy buildings. For one, it would help with recruitment—a top concern for any company currently trying to supplement its aging workforce.
So here’s an idea: Have a robot keep your floors spotless. Industrial scrubbers navigate the open spaces of your shop floor and add in some shine, without taking your existing teams away from their jobs on the assembly line. That’s a win-win.
7. Material Removal
Just as robots can help you remove dirt from your floors, they can also help with the time-intensive job of ridding materials of unwanted chemicals, finishes, or imperfections. Robotic sanding and polishing help companies restore or finish products without over-stressing human team members. Fit with a range of interchangeable components, some robots can help with everything from deburring to milling, drilling, and grinding—adding flexibility and efficiency to each process.
8. Mixing Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceutical companies operate under high-stress conditions, and mistakes carry significant consequences. So, it’s no wonder the industry is increasingly leveraging robotics to cut out human error and operate with greater precision. Robots are helping pharma companies perform tasks like dosing chemicals and closing bottles. They work together with automated documentation systems to meet the industry’s rigorous standards for quality.
Check out the Epson guide about “The Top 5 Laboratory Automation Pitfalls — and How to Avoid Them.” Epson has included an actionable automation checklist and quick tips, plus key points to help make sure your robot automation runs smoothly. Click on the image below.
The Potential for Robotics in the U.S.
The above use cases merely scratch the surface of everything robotics could offer American manufacturers. Lately, it’s AI that garners most of the headlines, while robotics has taken a back seat. But going forward, the two can and should work in tandem.
With AI optimizing robotic processes, manufacturers can welcome a new era of productivity. That goes for small- and medium-sized firms, as well, who should be educating themselves on the ways they can immediately reap the rewards of robotic components on their manufacturing floor. Our competitiveness on a global stage may well depend on it.
This article was written by Ethan Karp from Forbes and was legally licensed through the DiveMarketplace by Industry Dive. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
