It’s evident to all that American manufacturing is experiencing significant disruption, driven by the rise of automation and robotics. Companies are meeting complex manufacturing challenges we’d previously only imagined. As labor and energy costs rise, this shift to more efficient, safe, and profitable operations is a welcome development. Not only is the adoption of robotics rising rapidly, but there is also an increasingly greater familiarity and comfort with people and robots working collaboratively together for stronger productivity. Performance is steadily increasing, and manufacturers attribute much of the rise to autonomous systems.
Automation and Robotics Increase Productivity and Safety
Productivity is not the only benefit of autonomous systems for manufacturers. Safety is paramount in all manufacturing environments. Automation and robotics significantly reduce the risk of workplace injuries by taking over dangerous or repetitive tasks. Robots can handle hazardous materials, work in extreme factory conditions, and perform high-risk operations without putting human workers in harm’s way. Robotic technology can mitigate ergonomic concerns. Autonomous systems that feature robotics not only protect your workforce but also minimize the liabilities and costs that accompany workplace accidents and injuries.
If you’ve attended any automation trade shows recently, you’ve likely walked through aisles and booths with mobile robotics roaming around. A sight that once triggered a sense of concern is now commonplace. This demonstrates the high level of robotic development and exhibits the safety mechanisms that state-of-the-art robotics can bring.
Workforce Resiliency
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerabilities in traditional manufacturing setups where human presence is essential. During the pandemic, many factories faced operational disruptions due to health risks and lockdowns. Robotic automation can provide an ideal solution by ensuring continuous production, regardless of external circumstances. This resiliency not only protects business continuity but also helps companies navigate crises more effectively.
For example, the healthcare sector regularly experiences some of the world’s most extreme workout burnout, which rose to crisis levels during the COVID pandemic. Robots now do much of the lifting, carrying, sorting, and recording work that enables nurses to reclaim 10 percent more of their work time to use in direct patient interaction.
Efficiency
One of the most significant advantages of automation and robotics in manufacturing is the dramatic increase in efficiency. Robots can operate 24/7 without fatigue, ensuring consistent production rates and reducing downtime. Automated systems can perform repetitive tasks with unparalleled speed and precision, far surpassing human capabilities. This efficiency translates into higher output, productivity, and faster turnaround times, giving companies a competitive edge in the market. As an example of this, consider the teams with the responsibility (and regulatory requirement) to keep airport roads and runways clear of snow and ice. The technology now in process will provide relief to airport personnel but can also do so with clean fuel and electric alternatives, providing them with higher efficiency and more power than before.
Quality Control
Robotics technology enables precise and consistent quality control. Automated systems can detect defects and inconsistencies with high accuracy, ensuring that only products meeting stringent quality standards reach the market. This level of precision is particularly crucial in industries like food and beverage and healthcare, where product quality and safety are non-negotiable. Consider a meatpacking operation, where several facilities experienced a 400% greater incidence of COVID-19 transmissions than other work operations. These operations became a hotbed for sickness and industrial accidents. One of the messiest and most difficult environments for food processing is the separation of the meat from cartilage and bone. In addition to the need for supreme sanitation, this is a function that, as a manual task, is dangerous and fraught with worker burnout. Imagine the increase in accuracy, productivity, and safety when automation when robots can take over these tasks.
Conclusion
The integration of automation and robotics in manufacturing is no longer a futuristic concept; it is a reality reshaping the industry, as our real-world examples attest. Our company is at the forefront of this transformation, leveraging cutting-edge robotics technology to enhance efficiency, safety, and quality in the food and beverage and healthcare sectors. By embracing these innovations, we are not only improving operational capabilities but setting new benchmarks for industry leadership and profitability.
As automation specialists, we must continue to innovate and adapt to the evolving manufacturing landscape and remain committed to delivering excellence and ensuring the highest levels of customer satisfaction. The future of manufacturing is here, and with automation and robotics, we must lead the way to a more efficient, safe, and high-quality production environment.
While the benefits of these technologies are tangible, measurable, and trackable, we’ve only begun to scratch the surface of the possibilities ahead. Rapid progress is rising in technologies such as artificial intelligence, voice recognition, and mobile cooperative robotics (“cobots”).
In our own company, pilot programs to test functionality, effectiveness, and benefits have proven to be the best way for our customers to “dip their toe” into the automation and robotics space. At Chang Robotics, we strive to develop custom-tailored solutions to fit the needs of our customers instead of forcing solutions that do not provide the flexible efficiency our customers need. We maintain this is the approach every leading automation expert should take. With responsible use of today’s best innovations, the future is ours, for today and for the dynamic seasons to come.
Chris Callura is a member of Grit Daily Group’s Leadership Network who leads operations, program management, and strategic partnerships for Chang Robotics.
