Robots and manufacturing concepts are going mobile
01Nov
We’re all very familiar with the concept of industrial robots and the benefits they bring to our manufacturing processes. Over the years, we have seen the technology improve in many ways, with increased payloads, greater speeds, better accuracy and repeatability, more intuitive and user-friendly programming methods, and the ability to interface with other technologies, such as vision systems.
The relatively recent introduction of cobots has further expanded the range of applications for robots through their ability to operate alongside humans.
We’re now experiencing the next stage in the evolution of robotics, that of mobility and autonomous operation, which is set to revolutionise not only manufacturing operations, but also those associated with intralogistics. Combining conventional industrial robot and cobot technology with the latest developments in modular individual transport (MIT) systems and automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems opens up a whole new range of opportunities for manufacturing companies.
AGVs have been with us for some time, and although, in the early days, the functionality and capability of these systems were somewhat limited, just as industrial robots have evolved, so too has AGV technology. Today, forward-thinking industrial robot manufacturers, such as Stäubli, see these technologies as a key part of their portfolio, complementing their range of industrial robots and allowing them to offer a truly holistic approach to automated manufacturing.
Read the full article in PBSI's November issue
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