The Dude
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2010
- Location
- Portland, OR
I'm going to be involved in a process that evaluates potential automation opportunities for collaborative robots. Two points I should make clear up front: First, I have years of automation experience going back to robotic welding in the late 80's. This includes "standard cells", completely custom systems, robotic, non-robotic, etc. Second, I made it clear to the organization I'll be working with that I'd be more of a "filter" than a "pusher". I mostly stating this as I don't want anyone to think I'm trying to get free sales data or things like that. Short story is I'll be helping companies make "good and smart" decisions and be on their side, not the integrator/selling side. The main organization involved is a personnel/staffing company. I was a bit shocked when I heard this but then realized this is a "let's join rather than fight strategy" which I understand.
My overall view on cobots, and a lot of other new technology (Industry 4.0, 3-D printing, IoT, Six-Sigma) is that it's "solutions looking for problems". All of these have valid applications but a lot of the time the sales people really push hard and you might overlook a more suitable traditional technology. For example, 3-D printing has clearly shown benefits for packaging material, spare parts, medical, prototyping, etc. but hasn't become quite the game-changer that some people thought it would be (at least in my view). And don't get me started on Six-Sigma...(great way for consultants to make money, IMO).
What I'm looking for are really short stories about any experiences with cobots. For an actual implementation, it would be great to hear what was the process, what were the savings (labor, quality, safety, etc.), and who did the integration. Finally, in the end, was it successful and/or would you do it the same way again? You could say all that in just a few sentences. If you don't mind, I'd also like to know the brand of cobot. You don't need to provide any details or specifics about your company.
For investigations that didn't proceed, I'd like to know what the issues were: cost, lack of capabilities, unstable process, too scary, salesperson was a jerk, etc. If you could mention something about the process that would be great.
I am reasonably familiar with the whole cobot industry. I saw early demos on Baxter, worked for a supplier of parts to that industry and have been watching the industry a bit (IMTS, Fabtech). I do expect over the next few months to get reasonably up to speed on both the supply and demand end. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions and I'll do my best to give back on this effort.
Thanks for any input.
The Dude
My overall view on cobots, and a lot of other new technology (Industry 4.0, 3-D printing, IoT, Six-Sigma) is that it's "solutions looking for problems". All of these have valid applications but a lot of the time the sales people really push hard and you might overlook a more suitable traditional technology. For example, 3-D printing has clearly shown benefits for packaging material, spare parts, medical, prototyping, etc. but hasn't become quite the game-changer that some people thought it would be (at least in my view). And don't get me started on Six-Sigma...(great way for consultants to make money, IMO).
What I'm looking for are really short stories about any experiences with cobots. For an actual implementation, it would be great to hear what was the process, what were the savings (labor, quality, safety, etc.), and who did the integration. Finally, in the end, was it successful and/or would you do it the same way again? You could say all that in just a few sentences. If you don't mind, I'd also like to know the brand of cobot. You don't need to provide any details or specifics about your company.
For investigations that didn't proceed, I'd like to know what the issues were: cost, lack of capabilities, unstable process, too scary, salesperson was a jerk, etc. If you could mention something about the process that would be great.
I am reasonably familiar with the whole cobot industry. I saw early demos on Baxter, worked for a supplier of parts to that industry and have been watching the industry a bit (IMTS, Fabtech). I do expect over the next few months to get reasonably up to speed on both the supply and demand end. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions and I'll do my best to give back on this effort.
Thanks for any input.
The Dude