For a long time, only the manufacturing and processing industries used robots in their daily operations. However, in today's world, robots are used in all fields, including food processing, automotive assembly, agriculture, hospitality, metal forging, and many others.
It is no secret that the implementation of robots has been a resounding success, which explains their high popularity in the market. Robots have been used in high-capacity procedures, but technological advancements made by industrial robot manufacturers have recently led to their use in low- to medium-scale tasks.
However, some industries are still struggling to adopt and implement robots in their operations. This review will examine the advantages of commercial robots in industry and conversely, their disadvantages.
Advantages of commercial robots
Improved work environment
Manual operators are not used to engaging in strenuous tasks. That said, some tasks in a manufacturing environment are deemed too dangerous to be handled by manual operators, and robots are preferred for these tasks. Commercial robots have significantly improved industrial safety and working conditions.
Increased quality
Because of their strength and stability, commercial robots are able to process and produce high-quality products more reliably. Producing high-quality products saves time, especially in quality control, which involves ensuring that the goods produced meet the required standards.
Increased efficiency
Commercial robots can perform tasks with greater efficiency than humans. Accuracy is also not diminished in the process. Robots are also used in the automation of manufacturing procedures, which would otherwise take longer and require more capital.
Consistency
Commercial robots never depend on another person to operate. They perform their tasks as instructed. Since they are not human, they do not need to focus their attention on a myriad of other things. They don't experience unexpected emergencies, which means their reliability is unmatched.
Longer working hours
Robots are not like humans; they are not subject to shortened attention spans due to fatigue or distractions. These machines also do not take sick days. They can work around the clock while maintaining optimal capacity.
It is also crucial to note that research has shown that production increases by 40% when a robot replaces manual operators in the field, while working for similar periods of time.
Disadvantages of commercial robots
Expertise input
The initial configuration of industrial robots requires the robot manufacturer to pass on the necessary maintenance and operating information to the owner. This is an expensive and time-consuming undertaking, especially when manual operators do not know how to operate the robot.
The technological know-how needed to program and operate these robots is expensive and difficult to find. In addition, investment in programming software that is easy for manual operators to use is not cheap either.
Capital input
Although commercial robots are profitable in the long run, they require a considerable initial investment when purchased. Therefore, due diligence should be done before acquiring these gadgets. This includes making sure that the machine is a good fit for the company. The company cannot afford to make mistakes as it is a capital intensive business.
High operating costs
Industrial robots reduce labor costs, but they place a fairly large operating and maintenance cost on the manufacturing plant. Other costs borne by the manufacturer are replacing worn-out machine parts and investing in cybersecurity to prevent the company from internal and external threats.
Conclusion
To summarize, commercial robots, like all other mechanical gadgets, have their pros and cons, as illustrated above. Selecting the most appropriate machine can be a tedious process. However, the main objective when selecting should be to ensure that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages,