Around 1,5 million robots currently work in car factories around the world. China is one of those that is investing the most in this type of robots to reduce costs and be able to compete with low prices in electric cars. These robots replace people for dangerous, repetitive, or tasks that require greater precision, improving efficiency, productivity, and quality.
Currently, there are companies that are investigating the implementation of robots that are beyond typical robotic arms, using humanoid robots that can do tasks that the current static ones could not do. And, AI or Artificial Intelligence, can give these tools a big boost…
Characteristics of robots for car manufacturing
Robots used in car manufacturing are complex machines with a wide range of features that allow them to perform tasks with precision and efficiency. Between the most important features are:
- Precision: Robots can perform movements with great precision, which is essential for tasks such as welding, painting, and assembling components. To give you an idea, they can make movements with a precision of up to 0,001 mm. Additionally, with new AI and computer vision technologies, they can identify parts faster than the human eye, and without errors.
- Flexibility: Robots can be programmed to perform a wide range of tasks, allowing them to adapt to different production processes. However, some of the robotic arms may be specific to a job due to the head they have. For example, we have types of robots such as:
- They collaborate together with people, working together and facilitating the work of humans, but they are not capable of working alone.
- Painting robot, to be able to paint bodies or independent parts without humans being exposed to toxins, reducing the amount of paint needed, and more quickly.
- There are also welding robots, which can generate welding points or beads quickly and safely, always with the same quality.
- Assembly robots can be used to assemble small components, screw, etc.
- On the other hand, we have robots that can perform repetitive tasks of cutting, sanding, removing parts that are not necessary, etc.
- Transfer of parts or machining, such as robots for CNC machining, molding parts, etc.
- Force: They can perform tasks that require a lot of strength, such as lifting and moving heavy parts. For example, they can tighten screws or nuts with a force of up to 500 N, or can easily lift up to 1.5 tons, or perform tasks with up to 10.000 N, depending on the model.
- Speed: They operate at high speed, which increases the productivity of the production line. For example, to provide figures that give you a clearer idea, they can weld up to 150 points per minute, they can paint the body of a vehicle in just 30 seconds, and they could assemble an engine in a couple of minutes, or perform turns of up to 10.000 RPM, and extremely fast movements without losing coordination.
- Resistance- They are designed to work in harsh environments, such as automobile production lines, where there is noise, dust and vibration. And, best of all, they don't get tired...
To carry out these tasks, a computer is used with special software in which the robots are programmed to do the appropriate task, as can be seen in the previous video.
History of industrial robotics
La Use of robots in the automobile industry began in the late 1960s, when General Motors installed the first robot in one of its assembly plants. Since then, robot adoption has grown exponentially, driven by technological advances and the need to increase efficiency and quality in production.
From the first cars assembled by hand in a completely artisanal way, to Ford's assembly lines, to current robots, the industry has been modernizing a lot, and with AI, these engines will have greater capacities very soon...
Robot suppliers
Currently, there is a wide range of companies that manufacture robots for industry the motor. It must be said that some companies could develop and implement their own customized robots for specific tasks. However, it is normal for factories to have manufacturing robot suppliers. For example, some of the most popular brands are:
- ABB: This Swiss company creates high-precision, modular industrial robots with a collaborative and AI approach. They can be used for welding, painting, assembly, material handling and even logistics.
- fanuc: is a supplier from Japan, well recognized for the reliability, precision and speed of its robots created for a wide number of applications, like the previous ones.
- Kuka: This is a supplier from Germany, experts in robots with high load and long reach capabilities, for tasks that require great strength and precision, such as assembly, movement of heavy materials, etc.
- Yaskawa: another Japanese manufacturer, also important due to its Motoman robots with high energy efficiency and which can also adapt to different environments and industrial tasks.
- nachi: also Japanese, specialized in high-precision robots and very fast movements, ideal for tasks that require accuracy and speed.
- Kawasaki: This Japanese company, in addition to motorcycles, also manufactures its own robots for itself or for other manufacturers. They have a wide variety of them.
- Mitsubishi Electric: It is a huge industrial conglomerate that has extensions in the motor market, robots, electronics, electricity, etc. The Japanese company also manufactures robots under its MELFA technology, with great precision and performance.
- Denso: is another well-known brand in the world of electronics, and they also have their collaborative robots that can work with humans in safe environments, like their Cobots.
- Staubli: based in Switzerland, it also has robots with a fairly good reputation in the industry, and especially designed to handle very delicate and small parts.
future
In the near future, brands like BMW are already thinking about introducing Humanoid robots with the ability to imitate human movements and skills, and with AI and IoT implemented in Industry 4.0, they will mean a great advance, providing robots that can work in collaboration with humans or replacing these people for tasks such as assembly, inspection, manipulation, etc. All efficiently, quickly, safely, and with fewer errors than humans. In short, in the near future we will see improvements such as:
- Greater dexterity and autonomy: They will have greater dexterity and autonomy, thanks to advances in sensory robotics, artificial perception and machine learning. They will be able to learn from their experiences, adapt to new environments and perform increasingly complex tasks autonomously.
- Human-robot collaboration: Collaboration between humans and robots will intensify, with robots acting as co-workers assisting humans in their tasks. AI systems will enable natural and safe interaction between humans and robots, creating a collaborative and productive work environment.
- Customization and flexibility: Factories of the future will be more flexible and adaptable, with the ability to produce a greater variety of models and customization options at a faster pace. Robots and AI will enable rapid reconfiguration of production lines to adapt to changing market demands. In addition, models that are sold customized, and that are now more expensive, may lower their prices.
Images | canva