Limitations of industrial robots

Today, industrial robots are used in almost all industries. They bring many benefits to manufacturing facilities and pave the way for the smart factories of the future. However, there are some limitations that manufacturers should consider when selecting robotic equipment.

Demand for automated processes is increasing, with the industrial robot market expected to reach $31.3 billion in 2028, according to Fortune Business Insights. Manufacturers are increasingly aware of the potential business and production benefits of implementing robots. However, industrial robots are not without their drawbacks. Here are some of the most common limitations, along with some suggestions from manufacturers on how to overcome them.

Affordability

Generally speaking, industrial robots require a large upfront investment, including additional installation and configuration costs. Manufacturers also need to consider future maintenance costs and the need for additional components.

Similarly, robotics is an ever-evolving industry, and upgraded machines are always appearing on the market. For some companies, investing in new robots on a regular basis can be a daunting task, especially smaller ones that could go out of business trying to keep up with industry trends.

However, industrial robots can help manufacturers cut costs in different areas. They can reduce production costs and increase profits by optimizing work. With a clear investment strategy and financial plan, bots are more likely to deliver a quick return on investment.

Another smart option is to invest in refurbished robots. Typically, used robots cost half the price of new robots while maintaining their efficiency and maneuverability.

Safety

In factories, industrial robots are always considered dangerous. And for good reason - they're huge, bulky devices that can also move very fast. Older machines even lack the sentience to detect nearby humans, making them prone to dangerous collisions and accidents. For this reason, many manufacturers add cages or partitions to isolate robots from their human colleagues.

Recently, safety has become one of the main priorities in industrial automation with the introduction of collaborative robots that are smaller, lighter and designed to work alongside humans. More regulatory measures are already in place for bulky industrial robots and collaborative robots.

While there is still a long way to go to achieve absolute safety in factories, there is no doubt that progress is still being made. New technologies such as light curtains, laser scanners and presence-sensing devices are widely regarded as a way to improve human safety.

A good practice for manufacturers is to conduct a risk assessment on their production lines and train workers on how to respond to potential accidents.

Difficult to train

Industrial robots require expert programming and training to perform tasks, so companies need to hire experienced engineers and programmers to be responsible for the installation of the robots. On top of that, even experienced personnel may need to be retrained when newly developed software or new robots appear on the market. If a robot is not programmed correctly, it can cause malfunctions and harm those around it.

However, in recent years a new method of training robots has been implemented - no-code or low-code programming. It allows employees with less coding experience to configure robots using visual modeling and a drag-and-drop user interface. Thanks to the easy-to-use format of no-code and low-code platforms, robots can also be reprogrammed for different jobs by adjusting their arms.

The trend for low-code and no-code platforms is on the rise, with 84% of businesses in the US, UK, Canada and Australia implementing low-code development platforms to reduce the need for coding.

Industrial robots have been proven to simplify human tasks, provide manufacturers with a rapid return on investment, and streamline production. However, they are not without limitations. They are more difficult to train than humans, require high investment and maintenance costs, and pose safety challenges. While these are legitimate concerns for manufacturers, they can be overcome with careful planning and new technology.

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