Automotive is one of the industries that pioneered robotic process automation. The importance of RPA has seen many firms venture into automotive robots for a chunk of uses.
However, failure to identify the best ways to use the crucial machines has led to several firms’ inability to realize the machines’ full potential.
The companies take longer to maximize their target profit levels. Worse yet, some firms lose revenue due to inadequate knowledge of why, where, and how to use the machines effectively.
You could be planning to venture into automotive robots or seeking to magnify your profit margins using the most suitable robotic arm. If you fall in either class of investors, this article is for you.
It explains the key areas to automate and suitable robotic arms per industry demands. Read on to find out more.
Key Areas to Use Automotive Robots
The five key areas to utilize the power of automotive robots are welding, assembly, and machine tending. Here is what you should know to get started with automotive robots in the above areas.
Robotic Welding
Motor vehicle manufacturing needs intensely involve welding. Here, you join parts of the workpiece using high temperatures in environments such as blowpipes, pressing, electric arcs, or hammering.
There are 3 main types of automotive welding. These are Arc, MIG, and TIG.
Arch Welding entails melting the workpiece by striking an electrode (arc). The molten material then flows, gluing various parts of a motor vehicle together.
MIG (metal inert gas) constantly adds molten filler onto the molten work material. Gases, such as argon, can be used on steel or flux wire. TIG (Tungsten inert gas) applies inert gases to the end of the tungsten rod without adding extra substances to the workpiece.
The target result of automotive welding is a solid body that can fetch lucrative prices in the competitive market.
Two reasons lead to the application of automotive robots in welding. The first reason for using automotive welding robots is that the welding environment entails high pressure and temperature.
Such an environment demands compact bodies that do not easily get damaged.
That is why you should prioritize automotive robots due to their hard coating. It withstands extreme environmental changes, requires less maintenance, and works 24/7.
The second reason for applying automotive robots in welding is to observe human safety standards needed in production.
The harsh automotive welding environment exposes human employees to side effects such as vision impairment, disease from UV radiations, and electric shocks.
The long-term costs of nursing workplace injuries, paying huge salaries and insurance lead to rundown in an automotive firm.
Assembly
Automotive assembly involves gathering automotive and related parts. After manufacturing, you need to collect the vehicles, according to type, in readiness for release to the market.
Also, assembly is crucial during manufacturing. Here, you collect incorporate various parts of the motor vehicle to form a complete body.
The process often requires a massive workforce due to the vast responsibilities. Besides, a broader skillset and precision are required to work on various part assembly lines. Without careful examination, you may end up incurring enormous production costs. The result is often delayed ROI or progressive loss realization.
That calls for applying automotive robots in assembly. Most of them can multitask, helping you slice off extra salaries and wages that the extensive workforce attracts. Their precision is necessary for assembling minute motor vehicle parts.
Machine Tending
Automotive machine tending involves part loading, unloading, and inspection. It would help to pick the most suitable robotic arm suitable for automotive machine tending roles to increase productivity, improve quality, operational flexibility, safety, and optimize inventory.
All the benefits rise from the robots’ accuracy when handling automotive parts, identifying errors, and tracking production size.
The compound result is the overall cost and manufacturing labor reduction. You can apply the following robots to successfully accomplish the above missions.
Main Types of Robotic Arms to Use in the Automotive Industry
Articulated Robots
Articulated robots have joints between 2 and 10 rotary points. The main ones are 4-axis, 6-axis, and 7-axis robotic arms. They mostly get their power from electric motors.
The machines usually work in 3D motions. The 3-dimensional movement is possible because the robots’ arms can swing in x, y, and z directions. Therefore, they are more applicable to large automotive assembly needs.
Cartesian Robots
A cartesian coordinate robot is suitable for automotive roles that they can handle in a linear direction. Examples of such tasks are machine tending roles such as loading and unloading parts in x and y directions.
Its three joints (x, y, and z) meet at right angles. That boosts its speed and reliability when operating in a 3-dimensional space. You will love cartesian for their relatively lower buying price.
Besides, the arms can accommodate a monstrous payload. Most importantly, you can comfortably extend their arms due to adjustable stroke length.
SCARA Robots
Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm (SCARA) robotic arms suit you if you prioritize speed in assembly tasks. Its arms have a parallel axis joint layout.
The two-jointed link layout that resembles a human arm enables you to finish work in a small workspace quickly. That is mainly possible due to their ability to use a radial workspace.
They can adjust efficiently to a confined workspace. SCARA robots relatively cost higher than Cartesian robots.
Delta Robots
Delta robots are some of the robots to buy if you seek to handle lightweight automotive tasks promptly. For example, a typical delta robot can attain 300 picks in a minute. They are best suited to assembly line roles due to their utmost precision and speed. It would help to apply them in a dome-shaped workspace.
Conclusion
Understanding the functionality of automotive robots is the key to exploiting their full potential.
First, it would help to find out the three key areas to apply the machines. These are assembly, machine tending, and welding.
Next, you should know typical robotic arms to use in automotive. Examples of typical robotic arms are delta, SCARA, articulated and cartesian robots.