Collaborative robots, often called cobots, have changed the world of robots. They work with people to make work faster and better in many fields. This guide will look at cobots, talking about the basics, what they can do, where they’re used, their benefits, and what lies ahead for these robots.
What’s a Cobot?
A Cobot, or a collaborative robot, is made by engineers to work safely with people in the same place. Unlike regular industrial robots, which are kept in enclosures for safety, cobots improve productivity and safety by working together with humans.
Why Cobots?
More and more manufacturers are using cobots for good reasons like saving money, safety, and how easy they are to set up.
Cobots make it possible for companies, big and small, to use automation without dealing with the difficulties and high expenses that come with regular industrial robots.
Safety:
Safety comes first in cobot design. These robots have advanced safety features to make sure they can work safely alongside humans.
Some of these important safety features include force and torque sensors, systems that can detect collisions, and emergency stop buttons that are easy to reach, all of which help create a safe working environment for human coworkers.
Programming Made Easy:
Cobots are known for their easy-to-use programming interface.
Unlike regular robots that need extensive programming skills, cobots make it simpler. They use user-friendly software and make use of artificial intelligence, making it quick to learn new tasks.
This straightforward programming is a key part of cobot technology.
Different Types of Cobots:
There are various kinds of cobots that are made to fit specific needs, as explained by the ISO 10218 standard:
1. Power and Force Limiting Cobots:
These cobots focus on safety and use sensors to avoid accidents with people.
2. Safety-Rated Monitored Stop Cobots:
These cobots have sensors that notice when people are nearby and stop working.
3. Hand Guiding Cobots:
People can guide these cobots by hand, making it easy to change what they do and reducing downtime.
4. Speed & Separation Monitoring Cobots:
These cobots use sensors to keep a safe distance from people. They slow down or stop when necessary to stay safe.
Difference Between Cobots & Industrial Robots:
Cobots are a bit like traditional industrial robots, but there are some important ways they are not the same.
Industrial robots usually work by themselves in places that don’t change, while cobots do well in places that can potentially change. They are good at being flexible, adjusting, and not costing too much, which makes them a good choice for working closely with people.
Cobot Use-Cases:
Cobots have made big progress in different industries like electronics, cars, healthcare, and more. They are really flexible and do well at jobs like putting things together, checking quality, moving stuff, and even in healthcare, where they help with patient care and cleaning.
In fact, there are about 277 Cobots in the market, all listed on Qviro.com.
Benefits:
1. Safety for Workers:
Cobots have safety features that lower the chances of accidents, especially in tough and risky jobs.
2. Flexibility:
They can easily switch between tasks, which makes work smoother and means less time wasted.
3. Precision:
Cobots do jobs with great precision, making products better.
4. Increased Productivity:
Cobots work non-stop, so they produce more and speed up the work.
5. Savings:
Collaborative robots make work simpler, reduce costs, and help businesses compete better.
Limitations:
1. Lighter Payloads:
Cobots are better for lighter objects compared to industrial robots.
2. Need for Human Supervision:
Cobots often require someone to watch over them, especially in complex or messy places.
3. Not as Fast:
Cobots might not move as quickly as regular industrial robots.
4. Meeting Safety Standards:
Cobots have to follow safety rules and get certified, which can affect what they can do.
Programming Your Cobot:
Setting up cobots is simpler compared to regular industrial robots. You can program them easily using a user-friendly drag-and-drop system.
This makes the process easier and reduces the need for special skills and costly labor.
How Much does a Cobot Cost?
When you’re picking the right cobot for your manufacturing, cost is really important. At Qviro, we’ve done thorough research on 56 cobots to give you useful information about their pricing. On average, a cobot costs €27,158, and the price goes up as they can carry heavier loads.
For more details on these prices, have a look at our article called “Average Price of a Cobot [Study on 56 Cobots].”
7 Advantages of Using a Cobot:
Let’s dive into the advantages of using cobots in your business. Here are seven benefits:
1. Quick Setup:
Cobots are simple to begin with because they have user-friendly software.
2. Flexibility:
You can easily make cobots do different jobs, making your work more flexible.
3. Useful in Many Areas:
Cobots can be useful in different parts of your business and can assist when things get busy.
4. Consistent & Accurate:
Cobots do their tasks in the same way every time, making your products better.
5. Good for Workers:
Cobots let your human workers do more interesting work, which makes them happier in their jobs.
6. Happy Work Environment:
When people work with cobots, they often enjoy their jobs more and are less likely to get hurt from doing the same thing over and over.
7. More Work Done & Better Processes:
Cobots make your work smoother, so you can get more done and make everything work better.
Popular Cobot Brands:
Many top companies have made big progress in the world of collaborative robotics, changing the way industrial automation works. Let’s take a look at some outstanding cobot brands:
1. Universal Robots (UR):
As the most reviewed and market leader, UR is renowned for its flexible and user-friendly cobots. Their range includes models like UR3e, UR5e, UR10e, UR16e, and UR20, suitable for a wide array of applications.
2. ABB Robotics:
With extensive robot experience and outstanding support, ABB Robotics is a trusted choice. Their expertise adds depth to your automation endeavors.
3. Doosan Robotics:
Doosan has a lot of different robots that can do many jobs. They are flexible and work well, which is good for many industries.
4. Kinova Robotics:
Kinova Robotics makes robots that are lightweight and can do lots of different tasks without costing too much. Their robots are fast and can change jobs easily.
5. Dorna Robotics:
If you need a good tabletop robot for your business, Dorna Robotics has what you want. They offer affordable automation solutions that work well without being expensive.
6. FANUC:
FANUC is a big name in making machines for businesses. Their cobots are good because they are very exact and reliable. They work well for industries like making cars, electronics, and planes.
7. Yaskawa:
Yaskawa’s cobots are known for being fast and effective. They do really well in jobs like moving things, welding, and painting.
8. KUKA:
KUKA is a major player in industrial robotics. They have adaptable cobots that can be quickly set up for different industries.
9. Techman Robot:
Techman Robot’s cobots are liked because they are accurate and easy to use, especially in making electronics.
10. Franka Emika:
Franka Emika’s Panda cobot is special because it can move like a human and adapt to different jobs. This makes it a top choice for the healthcare and assembly industries.
Conclusion:
Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, are changing the way we work with robots in different industries. They are good at helping people, and they are safe to work with. Cobots are making a big impact around the world because they can be used in many different ways, and they are easy for people to use.
In the future, cobots will get even better. They will use smarter technology and better sensors. This means they will become more helpful and safer to work with. The world of collaborative robots is exciting, and it will keep getting better.
To learn more about Cobots.
