Posted to News on 10th Jul 2008, 19:20
Find out why now is the best time to invest in robots
According to Kuka Automation + Robotics, more British manufacturers need to invest in automation if they want to maintain their competitiveness by achieving higher levels of productivity and quality while lowering costs. Moreover, the company says 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.
Currently, the UK has one of the lowest ratios of robots per employees in the world, with only 40 robots for every 10,000 staff. In contrast, Japan and Germany have 320 and 150 robots per 10,000 staff, respectively.
Ian Walker, a sales engineer with Kuka, states: "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.
"Emerging technologies such as Camrob also make it possible to use six-axis robots for machining processes that were previously the domain of CNC machines."
Lower costs in real terms
With the price of robots falling and their relative performance increasing, Kuka estimates that a robot purchased today costs less than one-quarter of a similar model bought 20 years ago. At the same time, the price of hardware relative to labour costs has also declined and today's compact robots with smaller installation footprints now take up less valuable floor space.
Walker continues: "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.
"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 MACH 2008 (21-25 April, NEC, Birmingham) will be able to learn more about the advantages of automation at Kuka's stand 4895 in Hall 4, which will also feature a rare UK appearance by the Robocoaster, which is described as 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.
For more information on full turnkey automation systems go to www.kuka.co.uk.
