How Collaborative Robots Power Sustainable Manufacturing Practices

If you ask 10 different manufacturers around the globe, you are likely to get 10 very different answers. However, when it comes to the use of cobots, some common themes unite the ever-growing list of sustainable manufacturing initiatives; Waste reduction is the most tangible, followed by reducing energy consumption, space saving production processes, and reshoring initiatives:

Collaborative robots have proven a very effective tool in helping manufacturers realize these goals in ways that make the bottom line sustainable as well:

Reducing waste with cobots

As part of its commitment to eliminate defects and waste during the manufacturing process, Italian power tool maker RUPES deployed UR robots to work alongside humans on production line assembly tasks. The deployment resulted in reduced waste, lower operating costs, improved working conditions, allocation of workers to higher value tasks, and enhanced productivity.

As the RUPES example shows, one of the most effective ways to reduce wastage is to improve the quality of your manufacturing procedures. Universal Robots’ commitment to the fact that Quality Matters provides significant reassurance for manufacturers concerned about the sustainability of their operations.

In fact, not only are UR cobots manufactured according to high quality standards, but they are proven tools for reducing waste and increasing efficiency across a wide range of manufacturing businesses and processes from thermoplastics and precision optics manufacturing to welding and automotive production.

In addition, the UR+ ecosystem of UR-certified application kits and components provides a wide range of specialized industrial quality inspection systems that can be used to reduce waste and improve the quality of finished products.

Cobots reduce energy consumption through remote monitoring and access

Digitalization of manufacturing processes supports sustainability by reducing travel costs, optimizing energy consumption, and providing tools that manufacturers can use to streamline their automation deployment. The UR+ ecosystem supports digitalization with a wide range of remote monitoring and access solutions. Remote monitoring tools allow users to track and monitor cobot performance without having to go onsite. Typically accessible via tablet, PC and smartphone, these tools provide a wealth of information on KPIs that can then be used to tweak the cobots’ performance, resulting in improved production efficiency and reduced electricity consumption. Remote access tools enable manufacturers to program their cobot(s) remotely, saving on travel costs and reducing the environmental impact of the automation deployment.

Environmentally friendly footprints

Traditional automation typically comes with a large footprint and usually necessitates significant changes to the layout of the production facility. In some cases, new construction is required to create space for the robot. In contrast, UR’s lightweight cobots have a small footprint and based on the risk assessment, most cobots require no safety guarding, making them easy to move between applications while eliminating costly facility redesigns.

Brings production home

Minimizing the distances involved in supply chains reduces transportation costs and is better for the environment. Coupled with uncertainty about the resilience of global supply chains, these environmental concerns have spurred reshoring efforts. UR cobots empower these efforts by allowing manufacturers to compete with lower-wage countries, keeping production close to home.

Maximizing energy-efficiency in cobot deployments

Generally speaking, cobots are more affordable and consume less energy than their traditional robot counterparts. There are very simple steps manufacturers can take to minimize energy consumption in their cobot-powered applications; running your cobot at 70-80% of its maximum speed and payload, where possible, will reduce energy usage and extend the lifespan of the cobot. And when it comes to application design, make sure to consider path optimization strategies as this will also reduce electricity consumption when the cobot is up and running.

Talk to a Universal Robots expert today to find out more about how you can deploy automation in ways that are good for the environment and your bottom line!