Industrial robots are programmable machines with three or more axes of movement that, when properly configured and equipped, can perform one or many types of manufacturing activities in conjunction with or instead of human workers.
While the above is guilty of being highly generalized, it succeeds in portraying the nearly unlimited capabilities of industrial robots (we’ll just call them “robots”). At the same time – much as with choosing the “right” paint color from over 4,500 swatches – there is a large and ever-expanding universe of robotic systems that potentially meet your current and foreseeable needs. Choosing the “right” fixtures, end of arm tooling, positioners, software and other options can be challenging if not a source of anxiety. Then there’s preparing the business case, calculating and defending the anticipated ROI, and submitting a CapEx funding proposal for a relatively expensive long-term asset. Whether you’re contemplating the first robot for your business or seeking a higher level of performance from existing systems, you need a solid foundation of facts for decision-making.
The following narratives and links are intended to help you build that foundation. Although many of the topics are basic building blocks, our long-term goal is to provide something for every level of experience. Likewise, our intention is to provide fact-based information; we encourage you to triangulate everything by using multiple trust-worthy sources. We’ll periodically add new topics and expand on existing text, so check back. If patience isn’t your strong suit or you’re on a tight schedule, use the convenient Contact Us button to submit a question or take us to task if we got something wrong.
ROBOT BASICS
Numerically controlled machines have been in use since the mid-1940’s. The first articulated industrial robot was built in 1958, and featured hydraulically actuated movements controlled by instructions stored on a magnetic drum. Much has changed in the following 60 years, with the rate of change accelerating as a function of the continued evolution of transistors, optical technology, broadband networks and packaging efficiencies. As a result, machines that were once available to only the very largest companies are now accessible to any shop with a relevant application.
ROBOT MYTHS
We’ve walked a lot of shop floors, and evaluated a lot of potential projects over the last 20 years. One of the most important lessons learned in that time has been the need to continuously probe for elevated expectations and unspoken fears. Perpetually monitoring for high expectations and assumptions is no small task when daily news feeds are packed with story lines about cooperative and autonomous robots, artificial intelligence, disruptive technologies and the “Internet of Things”. It is much the same when it comes to fear, uncertainty and doubt (“FUD”) because those same stories usually suggest everybody can or will be replaced by a robot. Here are a few of the most common forms of excitement and anxiety.
BUILDING THE BUSINESS CASE
TW Automation
8190 Nieman Road
Lenexa, KS 66214
913.303.9700
