If there is one technological advancement that would certainly make living easy and convenient, robots would be the answer. Robots are human-like machines capable of doing tasks they are programmed to do. They have shown significance in decreasing human workload especially in industries. Robots are mostly utilized in the manufacturing industry.
For a place like UAE, incorporating Industrial Robotics & Automation is the best way to boost the manufacturing, the rest of the articles will explain why and how manufacturing sector can be benefited by incorporating Robots. UAE has always been quick to appreciate and adopt new technologies that are not only efficient but ensure smooth and efficient running of various processes both in the public and private sector.
Advantages of Automating with Robots
1. Productivity & Profit
According to UAE Labour Law Section 7, The maximum prescribed working hours for an adult employee is eight hours daily or forty-eight hours per week. The type of job that laborers encounter in this type of business is usually repetitive and monotonous. People who do the same thing for a long period of time tend to get bored and tired of what they are doing and might arrive in a position wherein he is unwillingly doing his job. The person who reached this point will not be as efficient and effective as when he first started working. Also, as human being, we get exhausted so the length of time that we can work is only limited. This is when the importance of robots is realized. With robots, productivity hours can be increased, as the robots don’t feel tired, bored or require any break time.Higher rates of throughput mean higher profits. Manufacturing robots help produce products much faster than traditional manufacturing methods by decreasing part cycle times.
2. Speed & Efficiency
With robots, throughput speeds increase, which directly impacts production. Because an automated robot has the ability to work at a constant speed without pausing for breaks, sleep, vacations, it has the potential to produce more than a human worker within a short period of time. With robots errors can be minimised. As I mentioned before, workers who do the same thing for a long period of time tend to get tired, this might cause errors. Chances of robots making errors are very rare, provided the robots are programmed correctly.
3. Reduced Costs
Industrial manufacturing robots do not require an hourly wage, visa or accommodation. Other than the cost of maintenance, a company pays for a manufacturing robot once. The initial cost of an industrial manufacturing robot can seem daunting, but the return on investment (ROI) can quickly be realized after implementation. A company can expect a ROI on their industrial manufacturing robot in six months to one year.
4. Quality
A manufacturing robots provide better quality parts. For example, an arc welding robot provides high quality weld seams, making the weld strong and the part more durable. Because of high repeat-ability, reworking time is nearly eliminated when using manufacturing robots.
“More than 1.5 million industrial robots are spread in various manufacturing facilities around the world.”
Fears about Loss of Labour
As for the notion of manufacturing robots replacing workers, this is true to some extent. However, the jobs that are replaced are tedious, monotonous, and possibly dangerous jobs. Lifting heavy pieces onto a table or skid for eight hours a day can result in injuries and other health problems. Especially in UAE, the weather can go up to 41.3°C during the month of August during this time the workers will be more tired than usual. A manufacturing robot can do the same work without putting humans in harm’s way. The jobs that are lost to robots are minimal and counteracted by the opportunity of new positions in the company. Instead of moving heavy parts, a worker can learn to program or perform maintenance on the manufacturing robot. In total, robots in manufacturing do not always result in a net loss of labor.