The evolution of manufacturing has brought a higher level of technology and skillsets in demand. PBC Linear is continuing to build upon previous successes in lean manufacturing by implementing new automation technologies and upscaling its workforce. These automated technologies provide the advantage of completing tasks that were considered monotonous, labor-intensive, and posed a higher risk of injury for personnel. The human advantage is a transfer from these laborious tasks to more elevated skillsets that include a heightened focus on the inspection process and the quality of parts. The result for PBC Linear is a factory that is leaner, smarter, safer, and capable of greater output.
This article and the video below are part of a longer series that details how PBC Linear is incorporating technological enhancements into its production systems. The following content offers an introduction to collaborative robots, the insights gained during their implementation, and the resulting benefits to our workforce, business, and most importantly our customers.
Cobots are collaborative robots. Both the name and the description reflect their ability to work side-by-side with the human workforce to safely achieve greater output efficiency and quality. The cobot fulfills its role by utilizing these fundamental advantages:
These cobot strengths also allow workers to be reestablished into higher skilled roles. Now, the technician that had previously mastered this work will instead be monitoring the cobot, or multiple cobots, while simultaneously checking for quality, providing processing feedback, and making fine-tuned adjustments.
As we continue to move further into this decade, it has become evident that the entire manufacturing sector is dealing with a shortage of skilled labor. Some factors for this shortfall include lack of promotion within high schools and higher education, and the simultaneous retiring of older, skilled workers. The result of these outside forces has produced a gap of qualified personnel that businesses are struggling to fill. As one solution, the cobot brings the potential to satisfy some of those existing labor needs.
In addition, when PBC Linear brings on a new hire, there is a steep learning curve that involves training on both the running of the equipment and the inspection of parts. It’s a lot to learn at once, but by applying the assistance of the cobot to take over some of the basic functions, we can now focus operator training on quality and inspection.
The first impression of our cobots can be described as sleek, shiny and clean. They have six joints for smooth motion, allowing them to twist and turn to fit many different task configurations. Unlike some other comparable machines, our cobots have a set of control buttons on the tool end affector that allows operators to teach a point by simply pressing a button and then moving the cobot to the desired position. All of this can be done without a bulky pendant, allowing for more control during the programming stage.
For years, PBC Linear had considered installing robots. Unfortunately, pricing, plus safety factors such as barrier fencing and door interlocks, made it far more costly that any labor-saving benefits from industrial robots. More recently, the company owners have had the opportunity to witness a few of these cobots in action. After careful analysis, they realized the automation potential and affordability of these machines. In fact, the price-point of a cobot generally results in very short return on investment.
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