Advantages and Disadvantages of Industrial Robotic Arms

As a result of their ease of acquisition, collaborative robots have become the obvious answer for all companies in manufacturing and in other sectors who want to automate their processes.

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They are the answer to traditional robots that were a preserve of the large companies with large reserves of cash and could afford to invest in an asset with a much longer rate of return on investment. Collaborative robotic arms do not need much of the space that was needed by traditional robots and have many other advantages that may lead a manufacturing entity to acquire them

Precision and accuracy

One of the main advantages of a collaborative robotic arm in the factory is that they are highly precise and accurate. Robots work exactly how they are programed to without any deviation hence their accuracy and precision.

This then leads to improved quality of the products produced from the company and a reduction in defective products which also leads to a sings in cost of materials.

Improved production capacity

Robotic arms help companies improve their production capacity. Robots are mechanical and do not require breaks and can work the whole day. They do not get sick or call in absent. In addition, they work faster and more accurately than any human worker. As a result, they will produce more per hour than any human worker.

Fast and efficient

Speed and efficiency are the main competitive advantage that robots bring to an industrial operation. Robots are fast and are highly efficient in carrying out their tasks. They are accurate and precise, they can perform multiple tasks and can help organizations improve their financial status and market position.

Improve factory working conditions

Work that is dull, dangerous, dirty or difficult is assigned and is suitable for robots. As a result, the workers who carried out this work previously, are now able to engage in other tasks in improved working conditions. Other tasks that are more engaging mentally and that are a much better to their health.

Disadvantages of robotic arms in industry

They need constant monitoring

Robots have to be monitored at all times to ensure that they do not get any mechanical faults which would cause them to stall. This could lead to losses to the company. With the advancements in technology, monitoring robots has become very easy. It can even be done remotely. The robots are able to send feedback of their processes via text to the operator. In case of a technical hitch, it can also be corrected remotely without having to stop the robot.

Robots are not creative or innovative

Robots do not have the capacity to be creative or innovative. Robots can only complete tasks as they are instructed to through programming. Robots do not have the capacity to tell when consumer preferences are changing and what they want.

Manufacturing companies therefore must always keep their eyes on the market and adapt to the market changes. Acquiring a cobot enables companies the flexibility to change and adapt fast but that task cannot be delegated to the robots.

Technical Know-how limitations

When acquiring a robot, often the acquiring organization does not have the necessary expertise. Collaborative robots have the capacity to perform numerous tasks within the factory and factory workers need the knowledge to make it work effectively. In addition, collaborative robots also require numerous add-ons and external fixtures that most buyers do not know about.

The aggregator or robot manufacturer ensures that they train the buyers of their robots. This training is an additional cost above the cost of buying the robot.

Fear of job losses

Robots are seen to be taking over jobs that are already being carried out by human workers. With their cost effectiveness and mechanical ability, they can replace human workers in the factory once they have stronger capabilities.

Collaborative robots are helping eliminate this fear. Rather than replacing the human worker, cobots are tools that assist the human worker in the factory.

In todays fast-paced manufacturing landscape, staying competitive means embracing innovation and efficiency. One key advancement gaining traction in industrial automation is the addition of a robot 7th axis to factory floors. 

What is a Robot 7th Axis? 

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A robot 7th axis, also known as a range extender, is the addition of a linear motion axis for a robotic system or machine to move along. Combining a linear actuator with a robot arm (which typically only has 6 degrees of freedom) creates a system with a 7th axis. The purpose is to extend a robots reach or working range, allowing it to perform tasks outside of its standard work envelope.

Floor-mounted 7th Axis

Benefits of a Robot 7th Axis

1. Increased Productivity: By integrating a 7th axis, you enable your robotic systems to cover larger work areas without relocating the entire setup. It also gives extended reach to smaller robots. This leads to increased throughput and production efficiency, as robots can handle a wider range of tasks without interruptions.
2. Enhanced Flexibility: A 7th axis provides greater flexibility in your manufacturing process. It can move items or tools in different angles and positions, making it easier to complete tasks with different products.
3. Optimal Space Usage: With the ability to reach over a more extensive workspace, a range extender allows you to make the most of your factorys available floor space. This is especially beneficial in crowded manufacturing environments where efficient space usage is crucial.
4. Reduced Downtime: Minimize downtime and changeover times by using a range extender for tasks like tool swapping, quality inspections, or parts feeding. The expanded range of the robot enables the completion of multiple tasks in one setup.
5. Cost Savings: In the long run, investing in a 7th axis for robots can lead to significant cost savings for your production line. Increasing the reach of the robot often removes the need to buy a 2nd robot to execute similar tasks in a nearby location. The enhanced efficiency, reduced labor requirements, and lower maintenance costs can contribute to a more cost-effective manufacturing process. 

Exploring Ventions Robot 7th Axis solution

With Vention, adding a 7th axis to your factory floor is a smart investment in efficiency and productivity. It enables your manufacturing process to reach new levels, ultimately leading to cost savings and a competitive edge in the ever-evolving industry landscape.

On the Vention Manufacturing Automation Platform, we offer four configurations that can be tailored to meet individual needs: 

1. Floor-mounted / Base-installed / Ground-level 7th Axis: Best for increasing horizontal reach from 0.4 m to over 3 m. 
2. Overhead / Ceiling-mounted / Suspended / Elevated 7th Axis: Best for increasing horizontal reach in limited spaces, from 405 mm to over 12 m.
3. Telescopic / Extendable / Adjustable 7th Axis: Best for adding height and vertical lift to your robot cell without the need for additional support structures, achieving a max height of mm through 870 mm of stroke. 
4. Custom / Tailored / Personalized Vertical 7th Axis: Best for handling material at various heights, available in lengths of 855 mm and mm. 

Each configuration provides a unique value. No matter what configuration you choose, they are all robot-agnostic, so you can use the 7th axis with any of your preferred robot brands, including FANUC America Corporation , Universal Robots , and others. With more robots, actuator types, and lengths to choose from, the Vention 7th axis is the most versatile and powerful robot actuator line on the market. 

To support heavy-payload applications, including range extenders and overhead gantries, Vention is releasing a 7th axis for large cobots ecosystem. Combined with our recently announced XL extrusion ecosystem, these offerings will meet customers needs with fast delivery times, stronger structures and motion, and all the advantages of our hardware and software solutions.

7th Axis for Large Cobots Ecosystem

To find the 7th axis that meets your specific needs, try out our Robot 7th Axis configurator tool.  

Robot 7th Axis in real-life

Add a range extender to reduce the repetitive and manual tasks that are on your manufacturing floor. Some common applications include palletizing and packaging, painting, welding, machine tending, woodworking, and more.  

Check out this video of a Vention Robot 7th Axis in-action from our partner, Woodworking Robotics & JJ Smith & Co (Woodworking Machinery) Ltd :

Talk with an expert

Ready to take your factory floor to the next level of productivity and efficiency? Looking to embrace Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing? Talk to our Vention experts to explore the possibilities of adding a 7th axis to your factory floor and stay ahead of the competition in todays dynamic manufacturing world.

Want more information on industrial robotic arm? Feel free to contact us.