Previously, we looked at reports from the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) that showed new records set from sales statistics regarding industrial robots. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the report from RIA again and discover which types of industrial robots are leading sales and also learn the application use for each type.
Handling operations or machine tending robots led the pack with a 50% market share. The next type of industrial robot that sold the most for Q1 2015 were welding and soldering robots (37%). Industrial dispensing robots (5%), assembling and disassembling robots (4%), and processing robots (1%) rounded out the list.
Let’s take a look at each type of robot and how they fit into industrial automation.
Machine Tending Industrial Robots
When referring to these type robots the process or application involves supervising a piece of equipment while it’s performing a task for an application. The process can be dismal and hazardous work that requires consistency. Robots, especially industrial robots, are well-suited to perform this task at a high level. A wide variety of machines from presses and shears to injection molding machines can be tending by a robot and provide a cost-effective option.
Robot machine tending allows workers to be clear from hazardous, life-threatening work while raising safety levels in manufacturing plants. When adding automation to your production line, robot machine tending is a cost-effective form of increasing productivity and decreasing plant downtime.
Welding or Soldering Robots
Robot welding has several benefits, including improved weld consistency, decreased cycle times, and enhanced efficiency. The safety advantages of switching to welding robots include reduced health hazards for your workers. From limiting exposure to hazardous fumes to a decreased risk of arc burn, arc welding robots help to save workers from a once dangerous job.
There are few categories of industrial robot welders, which include Arc, MIG and TIG welding. Arc welding utilizes an electric arc between an electrode and a metal base using either consumable or non-consumable electrodes. An arc welding robot uses a process that applies intense heat to metal at a joint, causing the metal to melt and intermix. MIG or metal inert gas welding, which is also called Gas Metal Arc Welding (GTAW), has a common use within industrial applications. The form of welding has a high deposition rate process, which feeds a wire continuously toward a heated weld tip. MIG welding is considered a semi-automatic process, which, when industrial robots are added to the process, can increase the use of automation.
Another form of welding is known as resistance welding and has numerous types of applications. The most common form is known as spot welding, which is typically found within the manufacturing sector. The process joins thin metals together when the metals resist the electrical current. Out of all of the industries that make up the manufacturing sector, automotive companies tend to utilize this form welding. They prefer spot welding since it allows sheet metal frames to be joined among its many other uses.
ICR’s robotics division has both the experience and knowledge base to handle a variety of robotic services. Repair and refurbishment services are offered for a wide variety of manufacturers and robots, and their component parts. Integration services are also available when the need to implement a full or partial robotic cell within your plant. Robotic welding cells have been the most popular option and as the data shows represent 37% of the current market.
For robotics assistance, request a quote or phone a specialist at (866)9-ROBOTS
