Since robots came into the picture, there have been fears that they are out to take over the world. Well, the workplace for starters. Manufacturing automation is definitely set to be a huge presence on the production floor in just about all manufacturing plants.
The good news is threefold: the bots are not taking over, manufacturing is going to get even more interesting and products are about to get even better. Leaving the production floor opens up other opportunities for people to get involved in.
It is because of manufacturing automation that small businesses are able to appear on the same platforms as the conglomerates. They are able to produce goods that can effectively compete with larger companies.
The Playing Field is Leveling out…
Automation for small businesses is one of the benefits that that robotics has brought to the business world. The playing field is becoming level. With affordable automation and introduction of collaborative robots, smaller companies are able to afford automation. This allows them to produce quality products pocket-friendly rates.
Major Benefits of Manufacturing Automation
Working with human workers on the production floor is all well and good, but humans err. They also get tired and need to take breaks. They get fed up and quit. They also get bored. This is mainly because work on the production floor is usually repetitive and uninteresting.
Robots and automated systems do not have these hang-ups. They are beneficial to manufacturing in ways such as the following:
They Drive Productivity
Manufacturing automation increases productivity because the volume of products goes up. In addition, the quality of the products also goes up and there are fewer margins for errors. Consequently, there are fewer complaints as well as less recalls.
Moreover, robots and automated systems can throughout thereby competing effectively with businesses that produce similar products. This means that if a manufacturing plant is 100% automated, production can even be quadrupled compared to rival businesses with a couple of automated systems.
The quality and sheer volume of high-quality products produced is enough to run the competition out of business.
Drives down Expenses
It is possible to upgrade automated systems regularly until their efficiency exceeds expectations. Automation allows a business to:
- Curb the waste of energy
- Using the least amount of power possible
- Focus on controlled movements
- Make precise movements
Thus, manufacturing expenses go down and the profit margin goes up.
Enhances Safety in the Workplace
The production floor is much safer with automation. While they still need humans to operate them, people no longer need to worry about dangerous manufacturing tasks that often led to injuries in the past. The robots and automated systems take over those and the human workers are free to take on less dangerous tasks.
In addition, mundane and repetitive tasks are also left to robots. This reduces accidents in the workplace, therefore, driving down absence from work due to injury as well as worker compensation. It is a win-win for both the company and the employee.
Workers are Able to Focus
Since robots take over mundane and repetitive tasks which do not require much in terms of skill, workers are able to focus on higher level tasks and feel useful and more satisfied. No one wants to be cooped up on the production floor doing the same thing over and over.
In addition, there is more job satisfaction when workers are engaged in pursuits that actually demand skill. This is as opposed to turning a wheel over and over all day. It is also good to be engaged in tasks where you are allowed to move and interact with your colleagues.
Conclusion
Manufacturing automation is good for everyone in the company. Whether it is a big one or a start-up, the business will benefit from having quality products with no defects being produced in large volumes to meet demand. The workers are also happier working in a safe environment where they can pass over dangerous tasks to the robots and work on more engaging projects.
