Page 37 - Industrial Technology March 2020 issue

COLLABORATIVE ROBOTS

Automation and artificial intelligence have been widely integrated in many
science and technology industries. Now collaborative robots (cobots) are
making their entrance but is your business ready? Do you actually need a
cobot or are you concerned about behind left behind if you don’t acquire
one? LG Motion have recently considered this exact proposition.
LG Motion, providers of electro-mechanical solutions for science and
industry, are in the business of motion technology; things that go up and
down, in and out and round and round. Their bespoke solutions help
enable research, development and manufacturing to move forward.
Therefore, it was logical for the company to consider not only how, but if,
cobots could fit into their customers’ processes.

In 2019, LG Motion signed a deal
with HMK to supply and integrate the
Techman cobots alongside LG’s
motion control systems. They had
realised the practical applications and
advantages such technology could bring to the workplace
and so started to design solutions for their customers that
incorporated cobots.

COBOT CONSIDERATIONS
Automation: A top line benefit of a cobot is its
suitability to undertake repetitive tasks and
automated systems, such as sorting,
assembly, inspection and loading.
Labour costs: Labour costs are only going to
keep rising so it makes sense to audit
processes and understand where the labour intensive pinch points are. If
these are occurring around repetitive and low-skilled tasks, it makes
perfect sense to look for an automated alternative. This would also enable
staff to be redeployed to jobs more suited to their skillset, making a much
better use of their time and expertise.

Cost: As cobot technology develops, so the cost of manufacture and
therefore purchase reduces. However, investing in a cobot or two is
undoubtedly a significant time and money cost – learning how best to
integrate a cobot will take time. But when compared to the constant rise
in labour cost, and the ability to put that labour to more effective use, we
may have reached the financial tipping point.
Purpose: Budget permitting, it’s tempting to acquire a cobot immediately.
LG Motion have been painstaking in making sure a cobot is the right fit
for their customers. They offer a consultative approach, looking at current
systems and seeing first if there is a motion control solution. Businesses
need to understand their own processes and break them down: could a
cobot enhance any area, financially or logistically?

LG Motion might have the technology ready to sell on to their partners
and customers, but they are also advising them to carefully consider their
options. Is their business actually ready for cobots? Are cobots the right fit
for the business’ purpose?

www.lg-motion.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1256 365600
info@lg-motion.co.uk