Most people associate factory automation with large robotic machines, such as those that weld automobile chassis on assembly lines. But as prices drop and technology improves, robots are being deployed for smaller and more varied tasks, and they are getting better at all of them.
Inside of factories, robots can significantly improve output, consistency, and reliability. They can work around the clock, and for certain applications, they can do the job faster than humans, with higher precision, and with fewer errors. Some robots can lift up to 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds), reducing both the amount of manual labor needed and downtime due to injuries.
In the past, robots typically required a large up-front investment. That’s no longer the case. As with the semiconductors that control them, economies of scale have brought the startup costs within the budgets of even small companies. A turnkey solution service for machine task automation, including hardware, software, and support, can be implemented for as little as $25,000 per year.
This makes the goal of smart manufacturing, also known as Industry 4.0, significantly easier to achieve. And it can improved further with automation tools and artificial intelligence.
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