This article contains everything you need to know about robotic system integration and its use.
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Robotic system integrators are companies that provide assistance in automating a wide range of applications. They help design robotic technologies that best suit the needs of an operation for a company and solutions as to how to incorporate robotics into an industrial process. Robot manufacturers produce an infinite number of robotic solutions for a wide variety of applications, which are designed for general use.
Manufacturers of robots rely on robotic system integrators to use their expertise and knowledge to assist end users with choosing the correct robotic solution to fit a unique set of conditions. Robotic system integrators play a critical role in channeling, distributing, and creating automated robotic solutions.
Each robot integrator specializes in a certain set of solutions since it is not possible for an integrator to have a solution for every possible situation. Integrators are selected in accordance with the process they are integrating and have the skill set that fits an application. They are chosen in accordance with their success in providing solutions for a particular application.
The focus of robot system integrators varies between material handling, warehousing, and supply chain robots and ones for manufacturing, production, and assembly. Customers choose a robot system integrator dependent on the integrator’s specialty.
In many ways, a robotic system integrator is a partner that works with their clients to develop the perfect solution for the client’s production challenges. The essential and most distinguishing characteristic of a robotic system integrator is their knowledge and understanding of robotic solutions. After a detailed examination and evaluation of a client’s processes, a trained robotic system integrator will provide an outline of the various approaches to implementing robotic solutions.
Of the many factors regarding the selection of a robotic system integrator, experience is the most vital parameter. The definition of experience extends beyond having knowledge of robotic systems and how they work but applies to the industries with which they have worked. A robotic system integrator that specializes in material handling would be unqualified to produce a robotic solution for an assembly operation, and an expert in welding robotic methods would be unable to assist in inventory applications.
In the initial steps in searching for a robotic system integrator, clients have to be aware of the many varieties and types of specialists and select one that has knowledge of their particular industry and processes.
A robotic system integrator with experience in a specific industrial or supply chain function must be aware of the best solutions available. In many cases, clients are completely unaware of the intricacies and complexities of robotic capabilities. They depend on their robotic system integrator to provide them with the highest quality solutions to perfectly match their operation.
One of the challenges of being a robotic system integrator is developing a customized plan for every client since no one solution applies to all applications. Robot manufacturers produce thousands of different robotic systems that can be used in a wide array of industrial operations. Each device is of the highest quality and performs to its expectations. It is the job of the robotic system integrator to know the many available solutions and choose the correct combination of solutions for the client.
Once the selection process is completed, the robotic system integrator outlines a plan of how to implement and deploy the robots in the client’s environment. Each step of the plan clearly details the various robots and how they will interact without interfering with each other’s functions.
The plan is the next important key to the success of a robotic implementation. The client needs to have a clear understanding of how each of the elements work together to improve efficiency, maximize up time, enhance productivity, and reduce cost in comparison to their present operation.
A major factor of the plan is the financial, technical, regulatory, and safety factors that are the obligation of the client with the financial aspect clearly delineated. Clients will take the cost factors and compare them to their present operation. The robotic system integrator may have to point out that the initial cost may seem prohibitive but when amortized over several years there will be significant savings.
All plans look good and perfect on paper but tend to need adjustments when put into action. An experienced robotic system integrator is well aware of the foibles and problems that are inherent in the implementation of a plan and are prepared to provide solutions. Each element of the integration has to be tested, perfected, and adjusted such that the various components work seamlessly to a positive and productive outcome. In this part of the process, robotic system integrators must pay close attention to the most minute details to optimize performance and ensure success.
Robotic system integration requires constant and ongoing support. This particular factor can be a deal breaker, especially in cases where the client is unfamiliar with the technical aspects of robotic functions. It is very doubtful that a client will come across a robotic system integrator that does not offer continual support. Aside from it being excellent customer service, it also provides an opportunity for a robotic system integrator to display their skills and aptitude to other clients.
In 2012, the Robotics Industries Association (RIA) introduced a certification process for robot integrator programs that serves as the benchmark for evaluating the technical expertise of robotic system integrators and the excellence of their business practices. If a robotic system integrator displays an RIA certification, they have achieved the highest possible proficiency, experience, and success in their profession.
The process of certification is far more than applying to receive a piece of paper. It involves on site audits, assessment of system integrator personnel, examination of safety training, and a list of other criteria, each of which has to have attained the highest rating. Companies that have successfully completed certification have the capabilities, skills, and acumen to deliver the highest possible quality service.
The types of robotic system integrators are as varied as there are industrial operations. They run the gamut of functions, applications, processes, and operations with each one specializing in a particular form of robotics. When installing, implementing, or updating robotic systems, a robotic system integrator is the perfect choice for ensuring the success of the integration process.
As the demands of technology continue to grow and expand, robotic systems are becoming more and more a necessity. Since technology has advanced so rapidly, it is essential to hire an expert who knows the field and can provide the best possible solutions.
Warehousing has been implementing a wide assortment of robotic solutions for many years to reduce the time for sorting, storing, picking, and packing orders. The huge uptick in robotic solutions has come with the growth of e-commerce and online retailing, which requires on time and timely deliveries.
One of the basic concerns in manufacturing is keeping workers on task and at their workstations. Collaborative robots work with employees to finish processes and assist in redundant or repetitive tasks such that workers can concentrate on more complex and mental work.
Over the last thirty or forty years, assembly operations have been slowly integrating robotics into the process to avoid human errors, reduce assembly times, and provide detailed inspection of final products.
There is an endless number of robots that are available to be integrated into production, manufacturing, material handling, hospitals, and other industries. All a client has to do is ask and a robotic system integrator will provide a robotic solution. There is a robot for every type of operation and process and a robotic system integrator who knows where to find the one to fit the job.
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