The main news
- Barriers companies face when it comes to automation include public perception, potential security risks, and cost.
- However, robots make factories safer and prevent human workers from performing dangerous tasks.
- The benefits of automation include reduced long-term costs, reduced error rates, improved productivity, and improved data collection.
As machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI) gains sophistication and technologies continue to evolve, supply chain companies are looking to evaluate the pros and cons of robotics and automation for manufacturing.
According to current data, however Experts are right in predicting As much as automation can provide a significant competitive advantage, manufacturing companies often face equally significant barriers to implementing these technologies.
So, on balance, are robotics and automation assets for manufacturing, or do they present insurmountable obstacles? Let’s look at the case for each case.
3 challenges of robotics and automation to produce
1) Awareness
When companies begin to consider or implement robotics and automation for manufacturing, they do so in a public context that creates hysteria in the sci-fi lore. While public concern Ceylon While taking on manufacturing jobs may seem like an insignificant risk, the battle companies face with public perception is very important and should not be overlooked.
In addition to the more pressing fear of a robot uprising, it is important for manufacturing companies to combat the public’s negative attitudes and fear of workers by replacing traditional labor with capital assets. In short, the threat of “robots taking our jobs” should not be considered a challenge for companies considering manufacturing automation.
2) Accidents
In addition to traditional perceptions of robots as potentially dangerous, there are real safety concerns when it comes to robotics and automated manufacturing. A fatal accident at a Volkswagen factory in Germany in which a worker was killed by a malfunctioning robot was widely reported. It was reported in the media And it serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of automation.
Manufacturers looking to implement automation are faced with the task of ensuring factories are safe enough for humans and robots to work collaboratively. This requires investing in safety features, as well as training and supervision.
3) Implementation costs
The biggest obstacle for companies to adopt robotics and automated manufacturing is the cost. As these technologies become more affordable, high initial capital costs pose a serious barrier, especially for small and medium-sized manufacturers.
In addition to equipment costs, there are costs associated with maintenance, compliance, software, and personnel training. Companies may recognize the long-term benefits of automation, but they can’t bear the initial costs or stomach the ongoing costs.
Robotics and Automation in Manufacturing: A Case for Overcoming Obstacles
Now is the time to look at how these technologies are assets and face the challenges associated with implementing them.
Robots are not here to replace humans.
To combat the popular perception that robots will make humans obsolete, one simple truth is very general: robots will not replace humans. Indeed, automation works better with human employees and maximizes the strengths of each, resulting in improved employee value. Automation frees up human workers to work at their core, focusing on strategic work, control and management.
Automation helps make factories safer.
While dramatic examples of robots causing injury and death are tragic and worthy of attention, it’s important to underline the fact that automation actually makes factories safer for humans. Robots can remove workers from traditional hazardous situations or exposure to hazardous materials by performing tasks that would otherwise expose humans to hazards.
As these technologies grow, they become more secure and include offerings that facilitate collaboration with humans. Robotics includes access to difficult or dangerous places. Improvements in sensors, agility, artificial intelligence and training capabilities are helping to ensure robotics and automation are reliable for manufacturing.
Automation as a value driver
While the costs associated with implementation and maintenance can be significant, along with the competitive advantages offered by robotics and automation to manufacturing, companies cannot afford them. not at all Automation.
Robots improve the speed and accuracy of routine operations, reduce costly error rates and increase productivity. They reduce long-term costs, improve labor efficiency and stability (especially in times of labor shortages), and improve picking, sorting and storage times. The vastly improved data collection provided by automated manufacturing means a reduction in the frequency of costly asset checks while increasing accuracy.
The bottom line: The obstacles presented by robotics and automation to manufacturing are worth exploring.
