The welding industry is growing at a rapid rate, and so is the highly dynamic, current competitive environment. Businesses finding it hard to optimize operations effectively with human labor are shifting to cobot welding.
It is because, along with time and money constraints, welding work being dreary and repetitive also adversely affects the laborer's well-being and eventually impacts the consistent work quality. However, with cobot welding , the case is different.
Conversely, cobot automation offers various benefits by boosting productivity and raising the overall business profits.
To explore further, here are 11 reasons to consider cobot welding for your business!
1. Cobot Welding is Time-Effective
Easier said than done, human labor welds at a slower pace and has a limit to physical activity. Even at urgent tasks, a worker can only give in a certain amount of effort for a set time. Overworking results in exhaustion and disinterest thanks to the tedious and monotonous welding tasks, which ultimately stretch the work completion, making it time-intensive.
However, the result is enhanced with the inclusion of cobots as they boost efficiency by doing more than a human capacity is capable of. By upgrading the productivity, the welding businesses are likely to save more time and gain more revenue.
Similarly, cobots are multi-taskers. When human labor can only perform one task at a time with constant breaks in-between, cobots are qualified for doing already programmed jobs without any set timeframe. It is common for a collaborative robot to possess diverse competence, for instance, batch production at one time and fixing machinery at the other.
By doing more in less time, and several multiple tasks in a row, a cobot serves as an all-around assistant by advancing productivity and ultimately benefiting the business. Thus, companies can achieve their deadlines faster while handling larger quantities simultaneously!
2. Cobot Welding is Cost-Effective
Another reason why businesses should consider cobot welding is its cost-efficient approach. To err is human, but the possibility of defects can be immensely reduced with the incorporation of cobots. Fixing errors takes more time and utilizes a considerate amount of resources much more significant in quantity. When they get tired, human welders are more prone to paying less attention and thus more revisions.
On the other hand, cobots are the ultimate way to lower down a discrete amount of errors. The increased precision saves the overall cost by utilizing materials with greater efficiency and increasing the time used. A significant investment return is likely to happen when cobots do the jobs in hours that human laborers take days to accomplish.
Furthermore, the risk of revisions is minimized with automated welding, so the materials are not wasted in constant amendments. Since cobots are free of physical boredom and fatigue, the workflow never stops, and quality remains consistent. With near-perfect accuracy, companies can map their expenditure better and the materials needed. Consequently, they can spend less time worrying about untimely expenses resulting from a degraded quality and unexpected chain of errors.
3. Cobots Are Cheaper
Cobots are cost-effective because they can do a lot more than laborers' capacity. Yet another factor that makes cobot automation superior is the reduced investment compared to manual welding personnel. The latter has a long process; it is equally hard to find the right equipment for your business and then hire technical staff to operate the machinery.
The same doesn't happen with cobot automation, for cobots cost much less, are easy to integrate, set up, and operate. Instead of organizing technical training for the whole team, businesses now supervise several automated cells, which is much cheaper and time-intensive.
Likewise, the modern world witnesses a new invention every day, and the heavy welding gear is soon expected to be outdated, thanks to the invention of cobot automation. The older machinery is now replaced with cobots which offer long-term benefits with a cost-effective approach.
Furthermore, most cobots are less costly to acquire than conventional industrial robots. These reduced expenditures have made cobots more accessible to smaller enterprises, opening doors to overall business growth. Since relying on robots alone to carry out all the work and meet deadlines is risky, businesses can save a lot by staying on the safe side of integrating cobots with human laborers.
4. Cobots Save the Burden
The fear of unemployment is most commonly associated with technical equipment, especially robots. However, unlike the popular myth, cobots were not introduced to replace human labor but to ease workers of the never-ending, always-exhausting welding work.
It is not just the employees but also the employers facing the risk of the human body's incapacity to fulfill long, energy-draining tasks. Businesses are always at threat of laborers falling sick or getting injured because of heavy workload; yet, cobots save the burden by adding equal and, at times, more value to the job.
While workers can only execute a task for a limited time, overworking can ruin their health and working ability over time. But with cobot welding , workers can stay at ease, for the huge burden is now divided between laborers and collaborative robots.
Consequently, the positive effects go beyond the physical aspect, with welders finding it of their great interest to engage in work knowing cobots now handle the constantly repeating processes. This equally contributes to a healthy work environment with increased efficiency, manageable workloads, and compliant deadlines.
Furthermore, companies are often recommended to consult the working staff before introducing cobots, for effective communication will both eliminate the fears associated with modern technology and lay out better ideas on which welding areas to invest in based on welders’ personal work experiences.
5. Quality Remains Consistent
The best feature cobot welding offers is continuous quality for extended periods. The business world getting connected with each passing day makes it hard for enterprises to compete and establish their reliability. Before the ever-growing figures become alarming, making companies struggle to meet deadlines and earning a satisfied customer family, the welding industry, like other industries, is incorporating cobot automation for promising business growth.
It is because the only thing to do in cobot welding is to set up the cobot, and the rest will be handled. A welder must take breaks between working hours and days; otherwise, the quality of the work will be negatively affected. However, when cobots do the work, the risk of poor quality is eliminated forever.
The market is brimming with cobots running strong year after year, and it is only after decades that collaborative automation would require a replacement. Also, the technical world is growing rapidly with newer updates to upgrade the cobot functionality even further, and it is no rocket science to process a software or firmware update in cobots just like they are simple to integrate.
Not to forget the unexpected revisions, a cobot can start working on the job right away. Additionally, a cobot can be loaded by a worker from production, and hand welders can use their skills where they are needed!
6. Cobots Can Do Small Batch Sizes
One of the significant benefits businesses experience with cobots over robots is batch sizes. The latter is hard to launch, set up, and integrate while paying off with large batch sizes only. It also costs more and is utterly disappointing at times, for a technical hand shouldn't be limited.
This is where the long list of benefits of cobots comes into play as they are designed to meet modern requirements. Cobots can do both small and large batch sizes, and the welding enterprises can set up cobots as per the task required without worrying about the robotic incompatibility with new dimensions and geometries.
As cobots do not replace the laborers but are designed to work along with the working staff, welders can easily integrate with them, so the tasks are managed as required. Small businesses can take great advantage of this, especially if the workload comprises small batch sizes at the start.
Also, it is not always that a manual industrial welder can do the job as the obstruction can come in any way: the task can be risky, require extreme effort or time, or exceed the welder's working capacity. In this context, cobot welding comes in handy, for it can be easily programmed for any welding job without any risk factors involved!
7. Cobots are Easy to Set Up
Easy to install, program, and operate - cobots are exciting tools in the welding industry. Still, the dread is typically associated with cobot automation, and companies think long before coming to a decision.
First, a picture always has two sides; and many businesses may consider the short-term benefit of a laborer working immediately after a task is assigned, saving the "hectic" of setting up the cobot. However, the picture is bigger than it seems and on the other side are also exhaustion, disinterest, and injuries stemming from overworking and heavy workloads.
Conversely, incorporating cobot automation in welding work offers long-term assistance, for it's a one-time matter to train workers to operate the technical gear. Once the staff is familiar with working alongside cobots, the rest remains a piece of cake.
And as said repeatedly, humans age with time, but cobots don't (they do, but it does take more than decades). Plus, cobot operation is versatile, and businesses can perform well even in the busiest times.
Also, unlike robots, a professional robotic programmer is NOT required every time a cobot needs to be set up. They are highly economical, simple to operate, and are designed to function immediately with logical controls. Using cobots instead of standard robotic units can save money on hiring new personnel, training, and other operational expenditures.
8. Cobots ARE Safe
When switching to cobots from human personnel, the biggest concern is safety. Apart from considering cobots a mere machine coming to take away their jobs and the dread of technical setup for tasks they can do by hand, the workers (and businesses) also get anxious regarding the new precautions linked with cobots.
It should be noted that the danger equally resides in the presence of mechanical machinery. The welders are at constant risk while working with welding machines, such as exposure to metal fumes, electrical shocks, body injuries, eye burns, and crushed toes and fingers.
Next comes the traditional robotic units, which, by the way, impose the same threats on workers as soon as they enter the operational areas. The human-machine interaction can also risk lives by hazardous electromagnetic fields, lasers, and improper installation.
Nevertheless, cobots are free from any of the dangers mentioned above, for they are designed to work along with humans, not to replace them as robots do. Cobots are robots that use specialized sensor technology to collaborate with human operators. The removal of a safety zone reduces the size of the machines' footprint while also making the manufacturing floor safer.
Lastly, it is noteworthy that though cobot automation reduces the risk to a large number, workers are still supposed to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and have proper training before engaging with cobots.
9. Cobots are Easy to Relocate
Comfort goes side by side with safety, and cobots play a crucial role in maximizing it. One promising feature is their lightweight body that drastically contrasts with heavy mechanical welding machinery and standard, enormous robotic units.
Welders working with bulky machines are likely to get injured more due to heavy processing. The same is the case with industrial robots; they are often power-hungry, difficult to operate and have a larger size and are hard to move.
Welding businesses have lots to deal with, and one problem is space. If large machinery and robotic units are to be installed, they need ample space. Plus, the decision must be made carefully at once, for they cannot be relocated due to their large size. Lastly, in any case, if mechanical gear or robotic units are moved, they need complete reinstallation by a professional robotic programmer, and thus, the cost is enormous.
Cobots are different from all that; they are smaller in size and easily moved from one place to another. And if they are relocated, they can be reinstalled, which is again an easy task given the working staff is already familiar with cobot integration.
10. Cobots Can do Longer Seam Welding
Seam welding is a major process in welding businesses and requires great care and expertise in the field. Quality is any company's way to success, and cobots can take it up to a notch with all the benefits they offer. One of them is fast and longer seams that go beyond what a human laborer is capable of.
Notably, a human welder will maximum go about a two-foot seam; only those with years of experience possess even this much skill. However, a cobot welder can take it further safely and continuously up to a four-foot seam. It means more extended parts can be welded better without risking the quality, even better than human laborers. And since longer parts require more space, a collaborative robot can be easily moved to where it is needed to do the job!
11. Cobots Support Co-working Environment
It's obvious, but it's the most advantageous feature of cobots that companies and businesses can get. An interactive working environment is hard to achieve, and often the employers are dull, tired, and disinterested. The work is repetitive and monotonous in the welding industry, so the dread is ultimate.
However, with cobots, the work can be enhanced as by collaborating with humans to do complex jobs, cobots improve the operator's efficiency. A cobot can not only assist a single operator in a single situation but they may also be transported about the factory to assist with various stages of the assembly operation.
Cobots are easy to collaborate with, simplify tougher tasks and do them quickly. Simply put, cobots are the perfect tool to do humanly possible tasks while humans can do humanly possible tasks resulting in an ideal working atmosphere in any enterprise. No question why cobots are the perfect choice for high-mix, low-volume production runs!
Conclusion
Thanks to their comfortable and highly-functional features, Cobots or collaborative robots are getting popular in the business world. When it comes to welding, cobots offer immense benefits to boost productivity and business growth.
Cobots save time and cost by doing more in less time. They also cost much less than the alternatives: heavy mechanical gear and traditional robotic units. Furthermore, cobots are designed to work with humans in a collaborative working environment, not replacing humans.
However, the best thing about cobots is that they keep the top-notch quality and do not weigh much. Human laborers can efficiently operate them and move from one place to another to carry out multiple tasks at once.
Humans’ capacity is limited, and they must take a break to start working again. However, the same is not the case with cobots, as they can do continuous work without compromising quality.
Cobots are also safe to use and easy to set up. They can do various tasks human welders find more challenging, like small batch sizes and long seam welding. In a nutshell, it is highly valuable to consider cobot welding for your business both today and in the coming years!
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