Let’s be clear. Anybody can automate duties of their enterprise utilizing robots.

It does not matter for those who’re new to robotics otherwise you’re an skilled automation engineer — there is a robotic answer on the market that may allow you to automate your chosen job.

However the place do you begin?

What sort of robotic answer do you have to use?

And what instruments, applied sciences, and parts will you want?

Let’s stroll by the fundamentals of beginning your first automation undertaking. With the precise info, robotic automation may be easy.

What job do you have to automate first?

No matter trade you’re in, you’ll be able to make sure that a few of your rivals are turning to automation to enhance effectivity and cut back their prices.

No matter your place in what you are promoting, you already know there are one million and one duties to be executed in any given day, week, or month. From tending CNC machines to inspecting ultimate merchandise, it is tough to know the place to start out automating.

With robotics, there’s a useful abbreviation for the properties of the best robotic job: 4D.

In robotics, 4D stands for “Uninteresting, Soiled, Harmful, and/or Expensive.” The best job for robots is boring for people to do, entails contaminants or filth, may very well be hazardous to people, or prices an excessive amount of to carry out manually.

Discovering 4D duties in what you are promoting is an efficient technique to determine potential duties.

Good indicators that duties may very well be appropriate for robots are that they’re repetitive, time-consuming for people, and are low-value in comparison with different steps in your manufacturing course of.

The three issues that maintain individuals again from automating

At Robotiq, we all know robots may be quite simple to make use of. With the precise options, it is easy to get began.

However there are few issues we see holding individuals again many times. Chief amongst these is the worry of the unknown. Individuals are typically hesitant to automate duties as a result of they’re uncertain of how one can do it or whether or not will probably be value their time and funding.

Listed here are 3 issues that mostly maintain individuals again from automating:

1. Lack of time — Many individuals keep away from automating as a result of they do not have sufficient time. They really feel like they’re stretched too skinny and do not have the bandwidth to start out with a brand new know-how. In actuality, robots typically save time so it is value placing within the time upfront.

2. Lack of talent — One other widespread causes individuals do not automate is that they worry they do not have sufficient talent and might want to bear intensive coaching. With new robotic options, you want a lot fewer expertise than you probably did previously.

3. Lack of know-how — The brand new know-how is one other widespread hurdle for brand new robotic customers. They worry they might want to spend money on quite a lot of costly and complicated know-how. With plug-and-play utility kits, this should not be a restriction.

The fundamentals of any first automation undertaking

How do you get began with a brand new automation undertaking?

There are some things to consider earlier than you start automating with a robotic.

First, it’s best to determine which duties are appropriate for automation and which might solely be carried out by human employees. This identification course of may even allow you to make clear which duties clearly match the 4D properties.

Then, residence in on one particular job you’ll use to your first automation undertaking. The best job must be straightforward to automate and have a excessive impression in your operations.

The opposite factor to consider is ease of use and coaching. With some robotic options, virtually anybody can use them out of the field with solely minimal coaching. If you would like your first automation undertaking to be so simple as attainable, this it the most effective sort of answer to decide on.

5 tricks to get began together with your first automation undertaking

The most effective methods to simplify your first robotic deployment is to get the precise info up entrance.

Listed here are some primary ideas you need to use to make your first automation undertaking a hit:

1. Outline the scope of your undertaking

It is useful to start out by defining the scope of your automation. Why do you wish to automate and what would you like the impression to be on what you are promoting?

Together with your first robotic deployment, the important thing right here is to maintain it easy. Do not chunk off greater than you’ll be able to chew.

2. Establish high-impact duties

Excessive-impact duties are these that can have essentially the most impact in your each day operations.

It makes little sense to automate a job that can solely have a fringe profit. To your first undertaking, decide a job that has a transparent return.

3. Select the precise robotic answer

Your selection of answer can have an vital impression on how straightforward will probably be so that you can deploy the robotic.

Options like our Robotiq utility kits embody every thing you have to to deploy robots to a specific job.

4. Get your individuals on aspect

Your robotic deployment will go a lot smoother in case your persons are invested within the thought of robots.

Earlier than you add robots to your operations, clearly communicated the advantages of the know-how to your individuals. Permit them to present their enter and concepts.

5. Consider and enhance

Your first automation undertaking is simply that… your first. It is extremely possible that you’ll automate extra duties in what you are promoting.

Monitor the efficiency of your first robotic cell and use this info to construct the case to your second automation undertaking.

Methods to maintain your first robotic cell easy

There are numerous actions you’ll be able to take to ensure your first robotic cell is so simple as attainable.

One motion is to make sure you are following a well-traveled path. Construct on the expertise of the individuals who have automated robots earlier than you. Don’t reinvent the wheel.

One other motion is to go away the extra complicated robotic know-how out of your first utility. Solely use a robotic with the essential know-how.

You may obtain each actions just by utilizing a robotic utility equipment fairly than a extra complicated various. This offers you every thing you must get began shortly.

What duties would you prefer to automate in what you are promoting? Inform us within the feedback under or be part of the dialogue on LinkedIn, Twitter, Fb, or the DoF skilled robotics group.