NRTC AUTOMATION BLOG | INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS AND AUTOMATION
Why Everyone is Obsessed with Industrial Robots
Automation is all over the news. NRTC discusses the hype and how you can jump into automation with us.
Automation is all over the news. NRTC discusses the hype and how you can jump into automation with us.
Coverage on industrial robots is growing, especially since the start COVID-19, as more industries are adopting automation to cope with new social distancing and hygiene mandates.
Are you curious about the direction automation is taking us? Read more about current predictions and how NRTC Automation can help you join the movement below.
The future of industrial automation
Industrial robots in the news
If you've been on news sites in the past decade, then you’ve seen articles and videos about industrial automation and robotics.
We won’t get into the myths of industrial robots here—we’ve already covered that topic in this blog post—but we are interested in discussing the recent boom in automation that everyone is talking about.
For example, Yaskawa Motoman recently became part of the 500k club, selling half a million robots over the course of the company’s history. FANUC is another robot manufacturer who surpassed the half-million mark.
Clearly, there is a demand for automation. Even though industrial robot sales slumped the past two years due to an economic downturn in 2019 and COVID in 2020, sales are beginning to pick up again.
Industries that use automation
Automation is the key to the future of manufacturing.
Other industries are also using automation to improve productivity, accuracy, and efficiency, such as:
Agriculture: Industrial robots and drones are used to plant, water, pick, and sort crops, reducing lead time from harvest to shipment and assisting with backbreaking jobs in the daily work of agriculture laborers.
Food preparation: Robots are making their way into the kitchen, to the relief of many who don’t love spending hours on meal preparation and cleanup. Check out Flippy the robotic burger flipper for some good old-fashioned robot entertainment.
Military and public safety: Robotic technology such as drones are being used by the military and public safety sectors. For example, with drones, rescue operations are made easier by improved visibility and access to hazardous areas caused by natural disasters.
Healthcare: Surgical robots are not new to the medical field. Doctors use them for increased precision during surgery. Additionally, and especially during COVID-19, robots are used to clean facilities by scrubbing the floor, emitting UV light, and other methods. Other industries, such as manufacturing, are using hygienic robots to maintain COVID-19 cleaning mandates.
As our world becomes increasingly digital, more industries are adopting automation to keep pace with changes in technology and public expectations.
Predictions about automation
For better or for worse, much of the buzz in the news about automation has to do with predictions of the future.
Common questions about automation include:
What industries will robots move into next?
How will businesses change in response to increasing automation?
How will automation affect human labor?
What are the potential security risks of increasing automation?
While some articles develop a doomsday scenario that robots will take over an overwhelming majority of human jobs, others negate that perspective. Industrial robots and other automation will handle repetitive physical labor and number-crunching work, but creative services, management, interpersonal work, and similar jobs will remain in the human realm.
Automation is progressing rapidly, and so are we. Changes in the labor landscape have been occurring for hundreds of years as innovations are made.
In response to advancements in technology, new jobs have been created, such as digital marketers, robot technicians, app developers, data scientists, and more.
Why you should start automating
In the manufacturing industry especially, industrial automation is the key to growth.
Benefits of adding industrial robots and manufacturing equipment to your production line include:
Increased scalability: Automation improves efficiency and minimizes downtime, getting your product to your customer sooner. You’ll be able to meet greater demand by cutting down on wasted time.
Improved workplace safety: As mentioned above, industrial robots take over the dirty, dangerous, and repetitive work that is notorious for causing musculoskeletal injuries.
Enhanced product quality: Robots are more precise, resulting in improved product quality. For example, robotic welders provide a clean and accurate weld every time so you don’t have to worry about unnecessary product recalls.
Adopting automation doesn’t have to be difficult. By using a service like NRTC Automation, you can be well on your way to competitive advancements in productivity and operation efficiency.
How to get started
Are you looking to jump into automation?
NRTC can guide you from start to finish. Our Automation Services will get you on the fast track to start increasing throughput and capacity in your facility. We’ll work with you to design, build, and engineer a custom work cell for your production needs.
We work with top auto manufacturers like Toyota, Ford, and BMW, as well as small- to mid-sized manufacturers looking to grow their businesses. With over a decade of experience, and with our professional engineers and technicians, we provide some of the best automation solutions in the industry.
Plus, we offer financing to make automation affordable for manufacturers of any size. Get ahead of the competition and start automating with NRTC today.
WORK WITH NRTC AUTOMATION TODAY
NRTC Automation is dedicated to providing high-value industrial automation and manufacturing equipment solutions to all its customers.
From decommissioning and tear out to industrial robotic training services to custom flexible work cells, NRTC is the key to integrate your workplace. With personalized training and custom-built designs, NRTC Automation is the destination for all your industrial automation and manufacturing equipment services.
Schedule a free consultation here and we’ll develop an automation plan specific to your company’s needs.
What Changed in Industrial Automation in the Age of COVID-19?
The whole world experienced a massive shift after COVID-19 struck. The manufacturing sector was no exception.
The whole world experienced a massive shift after COVID-19 struck. The manufacturing sector was no exception.
Before the pandemic, industrial automation was slowly growing into the 4th Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. After the global shutdown, manufacturing and other industries were ushered into a new era of technology dependence.
Industrial automation became the hot topic of 2020. Manufacturers who previously used traditional production methods and survived the pandemic are highly encouraged to adopt automation to stay relevant with global competition.
Learn more about how COVID-19 changed manufacturing and industrial automation, as well as how you can automate your production line, below.
Industrial automation during the COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19 rocked the world
When coronavirus started making headline news in February 2020 and shut down the world by March, researchers, publications, scientists, and other thought leaders surmised how a global pandemic might affect the manufacturing industry.
The outlook was a mix of positive and negative:
Some looked at the pandemic’s effects on the workplace and saw the perfect opportunity for industrial robots to maintain social distancing mandates and clean workplaces.
Others feared that the drops in profit and productivity at the beginning of the pandemic would forever scar the industry’s ability to bounce back.
There is truth in both of these predictions. Some manufacturing companies sunk because of COVID-19, unable to keep up with the struggles of closures, labor changes, and reduced demand.
However, this is a great moment for automation because it proves just how necessary industrial robots and equipment are to maintain our standards of living. During difficult and uncertain times, industrial automation allowed us to continue production while keeping workers safe.
Uncertainties abound
Even now, a year after the fact, there are still uncertainties around how life will look after COVID-19.
What will the “new normal” look like for the manufacturing sector?
Will industrial automation be handling even more processes than before?
Will employees shift to other labor like management, maintenance, and repair?
Will there be a resulting skills gap that is even larger than what manufacturing was experiencing before the pandemic?
What shifts will occur in IoT and cybersecurity to meet the new disparities and mitigate risks caused by these changes?
The answers to these questions will impact not only companies who want to continue growing during COVID-19, but also future manufacturing workers and the economy.
Hopefully, the insights gained from manufacturing’s weaknesses during the pandemic will provide industry leaders—as well as small manufacturers and their employees —with the opportunity to improve production processes and offer a better workplace and product all around.
Why you should automate during the pandemic
If you are a manufacturer struggling during the pandemic, we understand your concerns. You have survived one of the toughest fallouts in manufacturing since the Great Depression and the 2008 Great Recession. However, studies report that manufacturing has bounced back to pre-COVID levels and continues to look up into the spring.
Now is the time to act: automate your processes and keep up with the global competition. Manufacturers around the world are jumping on the Industry 4.0 bandwagon. If you continue with traditional manufacturing practices, you may find yourself on the outskirts of consumer demand.
Finance automation with us
Cost is always a concern, and NRTC Automation kept that in mind when designing automation solutions for our customers.
For those looking to automate specific production capabilities at an affordable price, robotic work cells offer the competitive advantages of an all-in-one package including:
maximum compatibility between components
increased efficiency
improved safety
Not only do we provide affordable custom work cells by using refurbished industrial robots and equipment, but we also offer financing so manufacturers of any budget can automate their warehouse.
To learn more about our financing options for your specific automation needs, schedule a free consultation with NRTC Automation. We’ll go over the cost, design specifications, engineering, and installation questions you may have about your custom work cell.
DON’T JUST SURVIVE, THRIVE WITH NRTC AUTOMATION
NRTC Automation is dedicated to providing high-value industrial automation and manufacturing equipment solutions to all its customers.
From decommissioning and tear out to industrial robotic training services to custom flexible work cells, NRTC is the key to integrate your workplace. With personalized training and custom-built designs, NRTC Automation is the destination for all your industrial automation and manufacturing equipment services.
Contact NRTC today to meet your production goals during these challenging times.
How to Stay Ahead in Manufacturing in 2021
“The present is theirs; the future, for which I really worked, is mine.” ― Nikola Tesla
“The present is theirs; the future, for which I really worked, is mine.” ― Nikola Tesla
Although the manufacturing industry experienced setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still an opportunity for growth.
2021 will prove to be challenging because it will require manufacturers to think differently about their production processes. New technologies and techniques are needed to stay competitive in the post-pandemic world.
Read below about common errors that cause manufacturers to fall behind, and tips to get (and stay) ahead in 2021.
How to stay ahead in manufacturing in 2021
What causes manufacturers to fall behind?
Falling behind in manufacturing means losing revenue and potential customers to competitors due to avoidable errors.
What are some of these avoidable errors?
Not integrating new technologies: Manufacturers who keep up with technology and industry trends stay afloat in the competitive global market. Manufacturers who do not will miss out.
Being disorganized: Organization is key to productivity and overall company health. A disorganized manufacturing company is likely to have more errors that can potentially cost customer relationships.
Sleeping on data: If manufacturers aren’t using their data as the cornerstone to improving production, they are neglecting the full potential of their production lines.
Not utilizing talent: The people who work on the factory floor, as well as other staff in the company, are crucial to the success of the company. By not continuing their education, manufacturers run the risk of missing out on happier, more skillful, and more productive employees.
Not using lean manufacturing: Lean methodology gives manufacturers the chance to increase revenue while improving customer experience. When lean manufacturing isn’t prioritized, companies experience considerable losses.
What are the risks of falling behind competition?
It’s a jungle out there. If you don’t keep up with competition by making the errors listed above, you run the risk of seeing these effects in your production line and your bottom line:
Missing out on important data
Longer equipment downtime
Lower production efficiency
More wasted product
Less demand
We would venture to say that it’s simpler to stay ahead rather than stick with traditional manufacturing methods.
While implementing these new technologies and techniques may incur growing pains, the changes that are established will make it easier to track energy usage, spending, and productivity in the long run. With these measurements, you can effortlessly adjust production to meet your goals.
5 tips to stay ahead in manufacturing in 2021
To leave unnecessary risks in 2020 and continue growing your business this year, check out these five tips.
1. DIVE INTO IOT
The Internet of Things (IoT) has exploded over the past few years, providing manufacturers with the intercommunication necessary between industrial equipment for highly-refined production.
63 percent of manufacturers believe that using IoT technology will increase profitability because it allows industry professionals to develop strategies using real-time information from their production lines.
Innovation is the heart of manufacturing since the Industrial Revolution. By keeping up with technology, manufacturers can stay relevant and maintain satisfied customers.
2. KNOW MARKUP COSTS
Year after year, costs are driven up by inflation. These markup costs could detonate your manufacturing budget and reduce your bottom line significantly.
Aim to do strategic cost analyses regularly to stay informed about the latest developments in costs. This includes everything from raw materials to labor costs.
Also, consider analyzing your competitors’ prices to stay competitive.
As the saying goes, knowledge is power. Put yourself in a better position to make educated purchasing decisions and stay ahead of rivals with consistent cost analysis.
3. KEEP UP ON MAINTENANCE
Equipment breakdowns can result in massive downtime costs; for example, one minute of downtime can cost an average of $5,600 on the production floor.
Prevent costly unplanned downtime while also extending the life of your equipment by maintaining them on a regular basis. You can do this through a smart predictive maintenance program or simply by keeping a spreadsheet.
Whichever way you do it, as long as you stay on top of equipment repairs and part replacements, you are saving your facility from expensive human errors.
4. IMPROVE PRODUCTION WITH 3D PRINTING
Additive manufacturing isn’t new, but with new developments, it is bursting onto the manufacturing scene in a new way.
3D printing makes prototyping and production faster, easier, and less expensive. You can test products and troubleshoot products without the high costs of traditional manufacturing, supply products on demand, and keep fewer materials on hand which reduces your need for expensive warehouse space.
Adding a 3D printer doesn’t have to break the bank, either. You can purchase or finance a refurbished printer at a fraction of the cost of new equipment. If you’re in the market for additive manufacturing equipment, check out the iGAM Marketplace.
5. GET LEANER AND MEANER
Lean manufacturing is fundamental to manufacturing in 2021. Gone are the days where incurring material and energy waste wouldn’t heavily impact the bottom line.
Now, to stay competitive, you need to be aware of how much time, money, and resources you are using to produce your goods. Even minor setbacks can cause you to lag behind global competition.
Check out this article we wrote on Robotics and Automation News to learn more about sustainable and lean manufacturing methods, such as kaizen, 5S, and kanban. Plus, you can learn more about lean terminology and other industrial automation terms on our glossary page.
Act now and reap the benefits
A future of growth and prosperity is within reach, despite the struggles of 2020. With these five tips, you can get ahead of the competition.
SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION WITH NRTC AUTOMATION
NRTC Automation is dedicated to providing high-value industrial automation and manufacturing equipment solutions to all its customers.
From decommissioning and tear out to industrial robotic training services to custom flexible work cells, NRTC is the key to integrate your workplace. With personalized training and custom-built designs, NRTC Automation is the destination for all your industrial automation and manufacturing equipment services.
Visit our website to schedule a free consultation today.