Why Robotics and Why Now?

This article is to inspire you to consider robotics as your next investment because the economy is moving fast, and timing is critical.

Naturally, you have probably grown your business beyond an urban setting, you have great staff but finding additional staff in a less urban area to grow your business with has become a challenge.  So do away with recruiting, interviewing, documenting, background checks, etc. and move your business to the fundamentals of a future with robotics and automation.

When implementing more efficient workflow processes, we are often asked for innovative ideas to help improve manufacturing. Reducing the steps necessary to produce a product requires a complete understanding of each step involved in the manufacturing process. Software and equipment can offer many advantages. Many of the manual steps can be replaced. Redundant tasks are often time-consuming, potentially cause a safety/ liability that can be avoided and reduce productivity due to errors or other dynamics. Therefore, the option to introduce a robotic system or process provides a reliable and accurate solution to many production challenges. Robotics gain their motivation, inspiration, and tasks by the virtue of what they are programmed; those specifications are by your design. As such, robotic solutions can be programmed to perform multiple tasks. Their management software will provide performance metrics to improve and measure productivity in real-time.

Robotics are conceivably not intended to replace an entire organization’s staff. The common objective of robotics is to perform programmed tasks (some of these are listed below) and take on roles in your company to help allocate effective resources.

Technology around robotics has improved exponentially in the last decade. The cost of ownership has become more cost-effective. Efficiencies have gone up with technological advancements. Robotics are dynamic and can be programmed to perform multiple tasks in the manufacturing process.

• Pick and Pack
• Sorting
• Inspection / Vision
• Packaging
• Palletizing
• Assembly
• Machine Tending (Loading / Unloading)
• Material Removal
• Dispensing
• Welding

• Articulating Arm – 6 axis extended arm
• S.C.A.R.A. – Selective Compliance Articulator Robot Arm
• Delta – “Spider Arm” with 3 or 4 axis arms
• Cartesian – Gantry style
• AMR – Autonomous Mobile Robot
• AGV – Automated Guided Vehicles
• AMR – Autonomous Mobile Robot
• AGV – Automated Guided Vehicles

As the demand for personalization, custom packaging, and immediate access to products increases, the print industry must look for more effective ways to accommodate those expectations.  As previously noted, finding qualified employees is difficult in today’s economy.  People are the most valuable asset to your business.  Having the right person for a specific position is key to an efficient organization.  You ought to evaluate what is the most cost-effective role for your employees in manufacturing.  However, having a “human” pick-up a box and move it 100 feet only to put it down is inefficient.  There is the risk of injury in lifting anything and specifically to our industry, heavy boxes or printed applications.  Forklift trucks have long been the source of damaged inventory.  Picking and packing is a redundant task that can and more effectively be replaced by automation.

A relevant example from the automotive space is how Tesla Motors built robotics into their manufacturing process, the capacity demands of the Model 3. Assembly combines traditional assembly line workers with robotic systems.  The Model 3 production from an empty shell body to a fully functional car has reduced approximately 40 steps in about 90 minutes. Therefore, car production takes 3 hours compared to traditionally taking up to 17-18 hours.

The demand for faster turnarounds with the onset of more e-commerce (in the packaging space) will continue to increase.  Consequently, manufacturing will need to augment their capacities with more automation and robotics.

For more information on how robotics will transform your business,  contact us today for a comprehensive safe analysis to determine how Robotics will aid your business.

Author: George Compiani – My 20 plus years in the print industry has focused on disruptive, innovative technology. The industry has seen a tremendous shift in print solutions. The internet has had a profound influence on the value of printing. My focus has been to understand how technology has improved and transformed communications. Technology and Automation will provide the improvements that Print Service Providers need to stay competitive. I’ve had the good fortune of working with industry leaders, which allows me to share best practices and successful programs. This is a “Consumer” driven economy, and your value is helping deliver a better customer experience. He can be reached at george@significans.com or via LinkedIn.

About Significans Automation

Significans Automation Inc specializes in delivering next-generation automation to the Printing and Packaging industry. The company offers programming and expertise in custom workflow development, communication and project management, color management, prepress training, and end-to-end business integration.

The level of sophistication that is provided increases profitability, improves quality control, and enhances production efficiency, enabling Artificial Intelligence and unmanned production while also facilitating new revenue opportunities in web-to-print and e-commerce.

The company is driven by the conviction that customized automation is the only path forward.