Robotics in the Manufacturing Industry - Essay Example

s Select an Industry and describe how it uses robotics. A robot is an electro-mechanical device, rather a virtual machine which is programmed in a manner to perform specific tasks. The uniqueness of a robot lies in the autonomous nature which can be planned according to its application, i.e. it can perform specific tasks accurately without the human help (Bajd, Matjaj & Jadran 2010). The concept of robots is no longer an alien one and almost every industry is now utilizing the machine to improve efficiency. For the purpose, the paper will focus on the application of robots in the manufacturing industry, since this industry is one of the most complex one and a range of quite tiring tasks can be assigned to robotic devices. This kind of robot can also be referred to as the industrial robot which possesses certain traits, i.e. it is automated yet controlled and programmed to perform multipurpose tasks. This specific kind of robot is designed in such a way so as to assist in manufacturing tasks in large and even middle-sized industries. An industrial robot can be assigned various application ranging from tasks as simple as welding and assembly, and even as complex as product inspection and quality assurance. In contrast to human labor, a robot can perform the task with a high speed and accuracy, thus enhancing the efficiency of the industry. These robots are usually configured as articulated robotics, Detla or even SCARA alongside other configurations (Davim 2010). Also, the robot can be programmed to perform the same task in repetition or it may even have a complex programming to identify its function and perform precise tasks. Factories are nowadays utilizing these industrial robots to a great extend. However, it was in 1961 that these factories first welcomed the idea of industrial robots. Moreover, the General Motors was one of the first even manufacturing plants that added robotics to its labor force with ‘Unimate’ being the first one. Unimate was a considerably simple machine having around 4000 pounds of weight and an arm attached to its huge steel drum Jamshidi, Francoise & Pierre 1996. Unimate was a multipurpose robot who performed the tasks of welding pieces together, pouring liquefied metal into casts and other similar functions. Thus, Unimate was quite a revolution for the manufacturing industry as it could now perform functions which may be otherwise too dangerous for human labor, also at the same time offering high speed and accuracy (Jamshidi, Francoise & Pierre 1996). Moreover, it was the kind of labor that didn’t require sick-leaves, never could have sued the company for over-burden and still carry out all the dirty tasks for the General Motors. Eventually, as the other companies also embraced the idea to achieve higher efficiency levels in manufacturing. Another great success story with reference to the application of robotics in manufacturing industry is the Australia`s Drake Trailers who bought a robot for welding tasks over its production line and as a result the productivity rate was increased to about 60%. Robotics are clearly popular in the manufacturing industry due it`s accuracy, precision and speed as mentioned earlier as well. Most of the contemporary robots programmed for the manufacturing industry still come in the form of the robotic arm, as its mechanical nature alongside its virtual control it can carry out repetitive functions with a consistent quality of product and at the same time giving precision to the task. This kind of robots helps in the production line for tasks like assembly, welding and even spray painting and ensuring the finishing of the product (Zhang and Zhen 2013). More so, a few of the task involve some dangerous toxins for instance spray painting a manufactured material may be a risky business, and thus, the robots can perform the task instead. Also, performing similar tasks everyday may prove to be a dull one for an average human and boredom may take over, thus repetitive tasks can easily be assigned to robots. However, at the same time, the robotics may also have a few limitations in context to the manufacturing business. A few manufacturing units, for instance, computers manufacturing industry is changing by the day, and thus may require modification in tasks. The robots can`t be replaced that often and thus they may not prove to be as cost effective in a few cases. Also, another down side if robots is that they are programmed to carry out specific tasks and in case of ad hoc crisis it won`t be able to change the course of action and take control of the situation. Similarly, a robot is also not able to think out of the box or add any kind of innovation to the tasks assigned (Zhang and Zhen 2013). In any case, the pro`s of the robotics in context to the manufacturing business clearly outweigh the cons to such an extent that in the modern world, an industry can`t even survive without robotics. Nowadays, all industrial states have accepted the fact that in order to compete in the market, embracing the robotics is a fair choice. Also, in states where the workforce isn`t skilled enough to perform complex task or rather the labor force is far too expensive, replacing them with robots seem to be the obvious option. For instance, the industries in US and Japan are now aggressively utilizing robots to carry out most of the task with human force just assigned the job of overseeing the manufacturing. The case of Japan is a classic one in this context, as the population growth in Japan is negative and the young labor force ceases to take up manufacturing jobs. Thus, in such a case, robotics has taken over and these robots are acting as fillers to conduct all these jobs that are considered either dull or too risky. However, this have paved way for those acquiring know-how in technology since the robots have to be upgraded and maintained by high tech professionals. Thus, the incorporation of robots in the manufacturing industry is a win-win for all. Statistics from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) indicate quite a shift towards robotic in the decade. According to the statistics there were around 1,153,000 industrial robots operational and the number is expected to increase by 2015. In Japan alone, there were around 370,000 industrial robots operational in various industries (Kumar 2013). Recent developments in the field ought to produce highly complex and unbelievably efficient industrial robots to further benefit the manufacturing industries. Research in robotic arm is reaching new levels where an even higher level of accuracy can be achieved for complex applications. Similarly, high quality vision guidance is also giving a whole new perspective to robotic cells. Furthermore, robot calibration is adding yet another dimension to robotics where off-line programmes are being integrated to guarantee better positioning. In addition, older robots are now being replaced by ‘bench top’ robots which are programmed for light industrial applications for instance to produce smaller products and for sealing and handling lab samples. Also, industrial arms can be coupled with automated guided vehicles (AGV) which can now ensure automation chains for enhancing flexibility. Robots are now available for manufacturing rates at high cost effective rates in the context that a robot can complete an entire cycle operation if programmed accurately. (Kumar 2013) Conclusively, robotics are very effectively integrated in the manufacturing industry around the globe, and especially in the manufacturing industries in the developed world. The uniqueness of a robot lies in the automation of tasks that it can perform, i.e. even without any kind of human assistance, it can carry out complex functions with dire precision and quality. General Motors was the first ever company that embraced the robot ‘Unimate’ which performed varied functions like assembling, painting, welding and other tasks in the production line. Ever since research is being done in the field to come up with specialized designs and programmes to be integrated into the robots to achieve an even higher level of accuracy. It has efficiently replaced the human labor especially in states like Japan where there a population deficiency for which the robots can cover. Also, there are a few tasks which are too risky for humans to handle, and thus a robot can be assigned the same task. Recently, many high quality robotics have been invented for instance, robot calibration for off-line programmes to guarantee better positioning and the adoption of new‘bench top’ robots which are programmed for light industrial applications i.e. to produce smaller products and for sealing and handling lab samples. However, further research is being done to help achieve a wider range of tasks by producing self-sufficient robots to help benefit the manufacturing industry. References: Bajd, Tadej, Matjaj Mihelj, Jadran Lenarcic, Alej Stanovnik, and Marko Munih.Robotics. Dordrecht: Springer Science+Business Media B.V, 2010. Internet resource. Davim, J P. Sustainable Manufacturing. London: ISTE, 2010. Print. Jamshisdi, Mohammad, François Pin, and Pierre Dauchez. Robotics and Manufacturing. New York: ASME Press, 1996. Print. Kumar, V. Advances in Mechanisms, Robotics and Design Education and Research. Heidelberg: Springer, 2013. Internet resource. Zhang, Dan, and Zhen Gao. Recent Developments in Manufacturing Robotic Systems and Automation. Sharjah: Bentham Science Publishers, 2013. Internet resource. Read More