Collaborative robots are designed to work along with humans in challenging work environments. They are employed to perform mundane as well as intelligent tasks in manufacturing and material handling facilities. They are an evolved version of yesteryears’ robots that had a separated area or enclosure when working. Over the years, the demand for these cobots has increased owing to several advantages they offer in terms of productivity and safety. Nowadays, manufacturers invest in these cobots to partially automate their material handling and manufacturing processes. Cobots designed by Universal Robots are widely employed for such tasks. What makes Universal Robots cobot popular? How are they better than many traditional robots used in manufacturing facilities? What tasks are automated using these cobots? This post aims to answer these questions and more.
Introduction to Popular Collaborative Robots Offered by Universal Robots
Universal Robots is known for its comprehensive range of collaborative robots designed to work alongside humans in several industrial and commercial settings. Here are some of their most popular models.
- UR3e: This is the ultra-lightweight, compact cobot in Universal Robot’s portfolio. UR3ed is ideal for confined workplaces and designed to enhance efficiency through its flexibility and precision. It can be used in a separate workstation or mounted on a table to perform tasks such as assembly, dispensing, material handling, and so on. Its compact design allows easy integration into production environments, complementing human workers and increasing productivity. Equipped with advanced safety features, UR3e ensures safe human-machine collaboration, improving operation quality and maintaining a competitive edge.
- UR5e: UR5e is ideal for applications requiring a compact cobot with sufficient payload and reach. Earlier, when launched in 2008, the cobot underwent technological advancements to enhance its compatibility with applications such as machine tending, material handling, dispensing, and quality inspection. These cobots are ideal for handling light to medium-sized objects. It offers an additional reach of 200 mm beyond the average worker’s arm, making it particularly useful for placing items within machines or performing tasks beyond the reach of employees.
- UR10e: This is a medium-sized, versatile industrial collaborative cobot. Equipped with adequate payload, reach, and a robust ecosystem of UR+ components and kits, the UR10e delivers endless automation possibilities. It is re-deployable and fast to reprogram for recurrent tasks, giving you the flexibility to change the setup to new processes if required. UR10e finds several applications such as palletizing, machine tending, welding, material handling, quality inspection, and more.
- UR16e: UR16e is a heavy-duty, compact industrial collaborative robot. It is specially designed for applications with space constraints but with the capacity to handle large and heavy workpieces. It comprises advanced motion control for fast and easy movements. Also, it features a suite of embedded technologies that ensure safety when collaborating with this industrial robot. UR16e can perform tasks such as machine tending, assembly, material handling, quality inspection, and more.
Why Invest in Universal Robots’ Cobots?
The collaborative robots market has witnessed significant growth and is expected to continue expanding in the coming years. As per the reports, the global market for collaborative robots is projected to reach a size of approximately $23.5 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.7% from a starting point of $1.5 billion in 2023. Several manufacturers are investing in cobots already and this is expected to increase exponentially. Here are some reasons why businesses should consider Universal Robot’s cobots.
- Universal Robots’ cobots are known for their unmatched adaptability. They can be easily reprogrammed and redeployed for various tasks, from assembly to painting to product inspection. This versatility allows companies to use the same cobot for multiple processes, adjusting to production changes without significant additional investment.
- These cobots are easily integrated into existing production environments. They can work alongside human workers without major modifications to existing workflows. This ease of integration reduces setup costs and downtime, enhancing productivity quickly after deployment.
- Universal Robots offers a comprehensive variety of cobots, each with different payload capacities and reach to suit different applications.
- They can operate continuously without fatigue, breaks, or a drop in quality, significantly increasing production rates. They also perform highly precise tasks, reducing waste and improving product quality.
- These cobots are equipped with advanced sensors and safety features. Therefore, they can detect the presence of a human upon which they either slow down or stop to prevent accidents. This reduces the need for extensive safety cages and allows for closer human-robot collaboration, maximizing workspace utilization.
- These cobots are ideal choices if your application has space constraints. They can work alongside humans without any safety enclosures. This is unlike traditional big-sized robots, which need enclosures or fencing to separate them from humans working on the same floor.
- The return on investment (ROI) of cobots is likely to be higher than the ones in traditional robotic systems. This is one of the driving factors of the cobot market, which makes it affordable for small- and mid-sized business or the ones with compact production floors.
- Universal Robots’ cobots find uses in eCommerce, supply chain, packaging, and logistics, aside from the typical engineering segments. The increasing demand owing to the surge in online shopping and deliveries in these segments is also one of the driving factors.
- Compared to traditional industrial costs, the initial cobot investment might be more expensive. However, the overall cost over time can be lower due to reduced need for safety infrastructure, lower maintenance costs, and the flexibility to perform multiple tasks without significant retooling.
From the aforementioned pointers, you may get an idea about the cobots Universal Robots offers and their several benefits. Continuous usage over the years exposes them to dirt, dust, spillage, or other contaminants. You must think about a protective solution to increase their productivity and lifespan. Protective covers or suits are the best solution. Today, several manufacturers offer protective suits. However, very few guarantee quality, and Nabell is one of them. Nabell’s specially designed Universal Robots suits can protect cobots in challenging environments. Universal Robots UR3, Universal Robots UR5, Universal Robots UR10e, and Universal Robots UR16e are their catalog products. If you require further information regarding Universal Robots cobots or their covers, contact their team via phone or email.
