5 Ways Robotics is Changing the Manufacturing Industry

By Ashley Lipman

The advancement of robotics is something that’s affecting almost every industry, with manufacturing at the fore. When we incorporate robotics into manufacturing processes and factory operation, we could see an improvement in output. This is the result of better efficiency and leads to an increase in revenue.

Robotics has certainly helped the manufacturing industry carry out several automation processes. One of the most famous examples is that of Ford, which has thousands of robots operating within their assembly lines today.

If you’re wondering about the many other ways in which robotics is transforming the manufacturing industry, there’s a lot to explore!

Let’s look at the five ways robotics is evolving the manufacturing industry.

1. Handling Raw Material

A manufacturing company could be dealing with the handling of hazardous, chemical materials. This could obviously put workers at risk, increasing the dangers of losing valuable human lives and opening up the possibility of lawsuits. This is where robotics steps in, filling in the roles that are just too risky for a human.

Robots can easily handle dangerous chemicals, radioactive substances, and several other elements without the danger that humans face. With robotics, you can enter programs to ensure precise handling without any mishaps due to human error. Even if the worst happens, you’ll be facing a mechanical repair instead of death or serious injury.

Robots can also prevent the damage of products stored in warehouses. That’s because they’re less likely to mishandle equipment provided they’re programmed correctly. Mishandling by human workers has cost employers and factory owners a pretty penny in the past. With robotics, such costs are likely to go way down.

2. Contributing to 24/7 Manufacturing Operations

The introduction of robotics also means that operations can go on for a longer time, all day if need be. With the population booming in most parts of the world, the demand for products is only going to go up. To provide supplies for this demand, factories and manufacturing plants have looked towards robotics for enhancing their output capacity and manufacturing time.

While a human workforce is subject to exhaustion, overwork, lack of motivation, and union laws, robots don’t have any of these issues. When a human becomes overworked, the quality of their work is compromised. This could put them and others in dangerous situations as well as causing financial loss to a manufacturing company.