The Pros and Con of Manufacturing Robots

Many manufacturing industries are automating their operations by installing robots. Manufacturing robots bring more benefits than drawbacks to the workplace. While enriching a company’s ability to succeed, these robots provide it with a competitive advantage.

However, before deciding to introduce manufacturing robots to your production line, you should consider both the benefits and drawbacks of these robots. Let’s examine the pros and cons of manufacturing robots.

Pros of Manufacturing Robots

• Increased Efficiency

Manufacturing robots can complete tasks more efficiently and faster than human beings. This is because these robots are specifically built and designed to handle specific tasks with utmost efficiency. In addition, the main aim of manufacturing robots is to automate specific processes, which would have taken more time if done manually.

Automation has become an inseparable component of today’s manufacturing processes. Robots have taken over many sensitive production processes that require repeatability and precision. Robots can complete these processes quickly and consistently without compromising on quality.

• Better Quality

Manufacturing robots can achieve high levels of accuracy and precision, leading to better quality. In addition, robots can eliminate the time needed for quality control and ensure that quality standards are adhered to.

Robots are programmed to handle exact application parameters and follow specific procedures or paths. This programming ensures reliability and consistency in repeatable processes. As a result, the robot will manufacture products accurately, leading to uniformity and high-quality items. In addition, the robot will handle all the materials in the same way with each production cycle.

• Safer Working Environments

Some manufacturing tasks are too dangerous, repetitive, or laborious for human beings to undertake. Such tasks are better carried out by robots instead. For example, repetitive tasks may be too boring for human beings, leading to boredom or loss of concentration, risking the safety of the workers.

Manufacturing robots can handle materials that are hazardous to humans. For example, a welding robot can handle all welding tasks, eliminating exposure of humans to toxic fumes or burns. Floor managers can also task these robots with handling and transporting dangerous chemicals and materials.

Specific tasks are very laborious and may expose humans to safety risks. For example, some manufacturing materials are weighty and are better transported or lifted by robots. The working conditions may also not be conducive for humans. For example, the temperatures and humidity may not be ideal for humans. However, manufacturing robots can effectively work under such conditions.

• Increased Profitability

One of the main reasons manufacturing robots are becoming increasingly popular is their ability to reduce operating costs, leading to higher profits. Though robots are expensive to purchase and install at inception, they eventually lead to significant cost savings in the long run.

Robots can reduce the time required to complete a task, increasing productivity. Higher productivity will result in more sales and revenue. Robots will also produce high-quality products, which will boost profitability.

Labor costs are significant expenses in every manufacturing business. Automating tasks by installing robots to carry out specific tasks reduces the number of employees and eventually saves on labor costs. In addition, robots can effectively handle repetitive operations cost-effectively.

• Longer Working Hours

Humans will always need breaks during the working day and are prone to distractions and loss of attention while at work. Humans will also miss work for one reason or the other. In addition, labor laws require employers to periodically give leaves to their workers.

On the other hand, manufacturing robots can work 24 hours, seven days a week, maintaining consistency and high quality. Robots also don’t tire or take breaks between works. The only time a robot may be off work is during a breakdown, power failure, or under maintenance. However, floor managers can schedule passive maintenance to avoid breakdowns, which may lead to costly downtimes.

The longer working hours of manufacturing robots will result in increased output, eventually leading to more revenue.

• Happier Employees

Robots are assigned to tasks that employees don’t like, such as laborious, repetitive, and dangerous tasks. Your employees will be happier knowing that they don’t have to handle these tasks. In addition, your employees can focus on more engaging and important tasks.

• Prestige

An automated manufacturing plant is a prestigious business that will wow your clients. A product that was produced using cutting-edge technology will definitely attract customers. Therefore, robots can be fantastic marketing tools for your products and boost your brand image.

Cons of Manufacturing Robots

• Initial Capital Cost

Installing manufacturing robots will require high capital. However, the robots will be highly effective and have a great return on investment. Nevertheless, the cost of purchasing the robots may be high. 

In addition, you may incur other costs such as installation costs and costs to make your manufacturing floor robot friendly. Furthermore, you may also incur training costs for staff who handle and maintain the robot.

Therefore, it is essential to consider your needs carefully, the costs you will incur, and the return on investment before installing manufacturing robots.

• Expertise

Setting up manufacturing robots requires expertise and a lot of training, just like any other technology. Therefore, it is essential to consider whether you have a staff with the required skills. In addition, if the robot is handling a variety of tasks, you should also consider how it will be reprogrammed or trained.

However, most collaborative robots, such as autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), are easy to train. You can train an AMR through demonstration.

• Limitations

Though manufacturing robots have seen a tremendous increase in application in the recent past, there are still limitations to the tasks they can undertake. Human beings handle some tasks better.

In addition, you can use a bespoke system to automate some manufacturing processes instead of relying on a robot. The bespoke system may be faster and cheaper to implement and still give you better results than a robot.

Manufacturing managers must carefully conduct a need assessment to determine whether they really need a robot. In addition, the assessment should contain all available solutions to the problem at hand.

Conclusion

Managers should make careful consideration and seek expert advice before investing in manufacturing robots. In addition, they should conduct a manufacturing need assessment before purchasing the robots. Though manufacturing robots have incredible benefits, they are not suitable for every manufacturing plant.