Year after year, industrial robotization is having an increasing impact on the functioning of manufacturing companies around the world. Not only does it streamline production and increase plant efficiency, but it also directly contributes to improving the working conditions of the people employed there. Despite the numerous benefits associated with the implementation of robotic solutions, some companies withdraw from the investment during the implementation process – and only at its final stage. We explain the possible reasons for such a decision and how to remedy potential problems in the robotization implementation process.
Changing business priorities in a company
Manufacturing companies decide to implement robotization in order to achieve a specific goal. Usually, this goal is to increase production efficiency or improve the quality of manufactured products, but it can also be to increase profitability or strengthen their market position. If any of these goals can be achieved by other means, the company may decide that robotization of production is not necessary. Sometimes, during the implementation of robotic workstations, a company may encounter problems that the management considers more urgent than completing the investment. Sometimes, financial considerations are also a reason for abandoning the project. The company may decide that the entire undertaking is unprofitable and that the money originally earmarked for the implementation of innovative solutions would be better spent elsewhere.
The final decision on whether to implement robotization depends, of course, on the individual needs of the company, but it is worth remembering that in practice, its introduction can solve most of the problems that companies most often face. Robotized workstations can help not only to improve productivity, but also to reduce material losses and optimize costs. In the long term, the implementation of robots translates into increased revenues, easier management of processes taking place in the plant, and the possibility of better, more precise planning of activities. It should also be noted that due to very dynamic technological progress and the growing popularity of automated solutions, robotization will soon become a necessity if a company wants to continue to grow and remain highly competitive in the market. Therefore, the sooner it is introduced, the higher the chance of achieving the desired success.
Problems with integration of existing systems
A common reason for companies to withdraw from investments in robotization at the final stage is the problem of integrating robotic workstations with existing systems in the plant. There may be many reasons for this, but it usually results from inadequate design or programming of the robot. This is why it is so important to choose an experienced contractor that specializes in the construction and implementation of specialized machines. A professional service provider will ensure that the robotic workstations operate in accordance with the company’s assumptions and ensure repeatability of production, while taking into account the possibilities and limitations related to the available space or solutions already present in the plant.
Sometimes, however, the problem lies not in the robot itself, but in the company’s misconceptions about robotization. It is worth remembering that the implementation of automated solutions is a whole process that includes not only the design, construction, and assembly of specialized machines in the plant, but also the planning and adaptation of the company to the implementation of innovative technologies. At the initial stage, it is necessary to precisely define the application of industrial robots – how they are to work, what tasks they are to perform, and what requirements they are to meet. Only precisely formulated needs will allow the contractor to create robotic workstations that will bring the expected results.
Lack of employee cooperation in the robotization process
Many myths have arisen around robotization, which, through repeated reproduction, have become ingrained in the beliefs of some people. One of the most popular is that its implementation will exclude the human factor from production processes. As a result of this misconception, employees of a given company may openly oppose the introduction of robotic workstations and effectively hinder the completion of the investment. However, it should be remembered that the vast majority of robots do not operate completely maintenance-free – they require supervision by an engineer to function properly. During the implementation of robotization, it is therefore very important to educate employees and explain to them that its introduction is actually an opportunity for their development, improving their skills, and enhancing safety in the workplace. It is equally important to properly train employees in the operation of specialized machines – it is the cooperation between humans and robots that brings the best results.