Cobot Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

Hello! This document is all about cobots. We have some great things to share with you, like easy-to-read charts, how quickly cobots are put to work, and interesting facts about programming them without being connected to the internet. If you need help, information, or just want to feel more confident about cobots, you’re in the right place. So, let’s begin by answering the question:

What is a Cobot?

Imagine this: a robot arm working alongside people, no problems at all. That’s what a cobot does! These smart machines are made to be safe, not heavy, and very careful with the people they work with. They do their jobs very precisely and make sure everyone stays safe. It’s like a perfect team of humans and robots working together smoothly.

It’s all in good fun! Just to clarify, the cobot didn’t actually write this article… it’s all human creativity at work here!

Let’s jump into the exciting world of cobots and explore their top 7 common uses. Get ready for their impressive versatility! Here are the main jobs they excel at:

1. Palletizing:

Expertly stacking things neatly.

2. Picking and Placing:

Grasping and putting items where they belong.

3. Assembly:

Assisting in putting parts together.

4. Machine Loading:

Giving a robotic hand in loading heavy equipment.

5. Welding:

Creating sparks and bonding metal.

6. Polishing and Grinding:

Making things shine and smooth.

7. Gluing and Dispensing:

Precisely applying glue or dispensing liquids.

So, hold on tight and be amazed by the incredible flexibility of these cobots. They’re here to impress.

Absolutely, cobots have a bunch of cool features that make them really impressive!

Here’s what you get with cobots:

1. Operational Excellence:

Cobots can do many things at once. They are light, ergonomic, and equipped with force/torque and laser sensors to do their tasks well.

2. Speed Control:

You can set their speed to match your needs and make them work better.

3. Location Wizards:

Cobots can look around and recognize things in their surroundings.

4. Safety First:

They stop when they need to, making sure it’s safe to work with them.

5. Tool Switching Pros:

Cobots can easily change their tools to do different jobs.

6. Mobile Marvels:

Some cobots can move around and work in different places.

7. Easy for Everyone:

Their programming is simple, so even if you’re not an expert, you can use them.

8. Customized for You:

You can make cobots work just the way you want for your manufacturing.

And the best part is, cobots offer some great benefits:

1. Saving Money:

They cut production costs by doing tasks on their own and making things more efficient.

2. Competitive Advantage:

With cobots, you can compete better in the market.

Now, which industries can make the most of cobots?

Think manufacturing, electronics & tech, logistics, cosmetics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food processing, agriculture, and even education. Cobots are making their mark in all these fields, one success at a time!

Let’s talk about the not-so-scary topic: Price/Cost.

Don’t worry, folks! When it comes to costs, there’s no need to stress.

You know why? Because the truth is, the pricing is actually quite reasonable. Don’t just take my word for it—visit our website, where we provide clear and transparent pricing information to help you make an informed buying decision. (You can find more details in this article: Average Price of a Cobot [Study on 56 Cobots]).

Here’s an important tip about cobot prices: “The more weight a cobot can handle, the higher the cost.” It’s a straightforward relationship.

To make it easier for you, we have a helpful chart that illustrates cobot prices. Take a look!

Let’s break it down, folks: The cost of a cobot is just one part of the whole automation plan. You need to look at the bigger picture. Usually, the total costs end up being 2 to 3 times more than the cobot’s price. So, remember that!

Now, here’s some advice:

1. Pick & Place Tasks:

These are budget-friendly because they don’t need a lot of extra tools. Nice, right?

2. Integration:

The easier and smoother the setup, the less money you’ll spend. So, keep it simple!

3. Complex Tasks:

If you’re dealing with complicated jobs that need special software and extra equipment, be ready for higher costs. That’s the price of sophistication.

Value of Cobots:

Let’s discuss the benefits of having a cobot. There are two values we need to look at, and they go hand in hand:

1. Boosted Productivity:

Cobots are all about making your work easier and getting more done.

2. Money Saved:

Cobots help you spend less on labor and earn more profits.

So, here you go! Cobots are a good investment, but remember to think about the costs, pick the right jobs, and enjoy the benefits they bring to your business. It’s a win-win!

We’ve conducted some serious research with 50 cobot programmers, and guess what? The results are in, and they all agree on one thing: ease of use is the amazing!

Yep, you heard it right. Ease of use is the showpiece of cobots, and the programmers gave it a solid rating out of 5. Talk about convenience, right?

So, here’s the deal: programming these bad boys won’t give you a massive headache. Nope, not at all. We’ve got you covered with a user-friendly experience that’ll make your life a whole lot easier. Who doesn’t want that, huh?

Say goodbye to complex programming nightmares and embrace the smooth sailing of cobot programming. Trust us, it’s a game-changer!

Let’s explore how cobots are changing the game for manufacturing companies.

In the past, these companies relied on outside help for any changes or adjustments, which cost money and took time. They weren’t very independent.

But now, cobots are here to the rescue! They’re all about self-service and providing a cost-effective solution. This means you can take control and handle the implementation yourself. That’s pretty empowering!

Now, let’s talk about ease of use. It’s not just good for programmers; it also affects the project’s cost. Here’s why: the time it takes to set up can vary.

Typically, an industrial end user might spend about 15 days on implementation, while a system integrator takes around 10 days. Professional services can be expensive. So, if your chosen cobot brand can reduce implementation time, you’ll save a lot of money. It’s a win-win!

Remember, all these factors are equally important, depending on your unique situation. So, choose wisely and go for what suits your needs best.

Now, let’s talk about the type of programming you choose. It’s a crucial aspect we’ll dive into next!

Guess what? The majority of cobot users are all about that offline programming life!

But hold up, what’s the big deal with offline programming anyway?

Well, here’s the scoop: with offline programming, you can kiss goodbye to the hassle of learning a programming language. Yep, you heard it right. It’s like magic!

Check this out: Function Blocks!

They’re like the superheroes of cobots, and guess what? 90% of cobots have got you covered with this solution.

Now, here’s the beauty of it: Function blocks are a low-entry method that’s accessible to all sorts of companies. It’s a piece of cake to get started with, trust me.

So, what exactly are function blocks? Picture this: they’re like building blocks of code. All you gotta do is move the object from one spot to another and teach the cobot those specific locations. It’s as simple as that!

And guess what? You’ve got options when it comes to using function blocks. You can either go old school with a joystick or get all fancy with a tablet. Your call!

Now, let’s talk programming languages. Here’s a fun fact: the least used type of programming for cobots is Python. So, don’t stress about learning a whole new language. Stick with the user-friendly options and you’ll be good to go.

Hey, when it comes to programming, the type you choose depends on what you’re after. Just keep these things in mind:

1. Ease-of-programming: Make sure it’s easy peasy to work with and gives you access to all the cool features the cobot has to offer.

2. Reduced Downtime: Ain’t nobody got time for that! Look for solutions that keep downtime to a minimum.

Let’s talk about the challenges of using cobots.

So, why choose cobots? Well, in the world of manufacturing, companies often make a variety of products, especially in fast-changing markets like fast fashion. That’s where cobots come into play.

The key here is flexibility. Instead of investing in something fixed, why not go for a solution that can adapt and change? Cobots are the champions of adaptability.

Think of it this way: Companies using cobots can produce 100 products in 6 hours and then reprogram the cobot to do a different task for the next 4 hours. That’s versatility! Cobots help you thrive in a fast-paced consumer world.

But, there are challenges too. Every good thing has its downsides. Here are some quick challenges with using cobots:

1. Operational issues:

Cobots may not be suitable for very high-speed or heavy-duty tasks.

2. Safety concerns:

You’ll need safety approvals to keep things secure.

3. Privacy & Security:

Protecting your data and sensitive tasks is crucial when using robots.

4. Cobots Need a Friendly Environment:

Set them up right for the best performance.

Remember, for more complex tasks, you may still need a human touch. It’s about combining the strengths of people and the capabilities of cobots. That’s where the real magic happens. Cobots are here to help and make your life easier.

To learn more about Cobots.