Start Simple in Your Shop’s Automation Journey
Shops that don’t have automation want to get into it, but many are apprehensive. Why? It’s because often shops are led into an automation cell project that is difficult to use or over designed. That’s why Absolute Machine Tools’ A+ Automation Team advises customers to start out simple, like with a machine tending single collaborative robot cell.
Automation Is a Work in Progress
It’s important to keep in mind that automation is a work in progress because we never stop finding new and better ways to manufacture products. Not only does the project manager need to be comfortable with the equipment, but so do the people on the shop floor.
“If people aren’t comfortable after the initial installation and integration, then the ROI won’t be realized,” said Courtney Ortner, Director of Marketing – A+ Automation Team. “Implementing automation as simple as a teachable collaborative robot takes time because it’s a change from the norm. If the shop floor gets comfortable with the technology, then they will see the value and look for other areas within the shop to automate, ultimately improving the work environment and workforce skills.”
Starting Small with Easy-to-Use Cobot
Simple cell automation isn’t a “home run” for integrators, but there’s no sense in sales making a home run when the customer can’t either use the equipment comfortably or sensibly.
“That’s why we encourage shops to start out small with an easy-to-use teachable collaborative robot such as an OB7 from Productive Robotics,” Ortner said.
Just ask Duane Manth and Mike Rex of Manth Manufacturing in Tonawanda, New York. Two years ago, they started automating with two OB7 collaborative robots. Not long after they and their operators were comfortable with the cell, other shop floor personnel began to find other areas within their manufacturing that would benefit from collaborative robots. Today, they have 5 OB7 collaborative robots from Absolute Machine Tools with a 6th one being highly considered.
Learn More About Collaborative Robots Today
If you would like more information on simple-to-use teachable collaborative robots from Absolute Machine Tools, click here , and if you would like to discuss area in your shop that would benefit from automation, contact us at info@absolutemachine.com. The A+ Automation Team at Absolute Machine Tools schedule live Zoom demos daily with OB7 too.
Find out how Absolute Machine Tools helps customers calculate ROI with collaborative robots, which was recently discussed in the SME Media article, “When Work Cells Work for Machine Tools.”
