This is a user generated content for MyStory, a YourStory initiative to enable its community to contribute and have their voices heard. The views and writings here reflect that of the author and not of YourStory.
Cobots Boost the ‘Make in India’ Initiative
By: Pradeep David, General Manager, South Asia, Universal Robots
This is a user generated content for MyStory, a YourStory initiative to enable its community to contribute and have their voices heard. The views and writings here reflect that of the author and not of YourStory.
The ‘Make in India’ initiative has inspired many Indians. Under the patronage of the current government, this initiative received a massive boost and is aiming to make India a global manufacturing hub to enhance economic and employment growth. It hopes to develop and nurture the abundant workforce of India and increase its wealth by injecting manufacturing drive across business verticals. In a country like India, with an ever increasing manpower wealth, it is imperative to supplement it with technological advancement to harness its true potential. In the last two decades, robotics has had a deep impact in the manufacturing domain across the globe. If applied suitably it has the potential to take the ‘Make in India’ initiative to a much higher pedestal.
A fantastic way to drive the growth in the manufacturing sector is by forsaking outdated technology for the latest robotics. Collaborative robots (cobots) are an eloquent solution to aid the objectives set forth by this campaign. Investing in cobots, one of the newer innovations from the robotic clan, give both MSMEs and large corporations a chance to do just that, grow the manufacturing industry and by extension, work towards the campaign’s outcomes. Here are a few ways in which cobots can drive momentum in the ‘Make in India’ campaign.
The Traits of Cobots
Cobots, are safe, easy-to-use collaborative robots that work together with humans. Taking on tasks such as stretch wrapping, packaging handling and palletizing, cobots can significantly accelerate highly repetitive manual tasks on the product line. As cobots can be easily programmed, re-programmed, re-installed and are mobile and lightweight, they are perfect solution for both small and large-volume productions, making them a fantastic long-term investment. One of the most innovative uses of the cobots in India has been for been in spray painting. The deployment of cobots led to immense improvements in merely two months.
Cobots in the Manufacturing Sector
As cobots have none of the traditional costs associated with expert robotic programming, set-up and fenced off work areas, the average payback of cobots can in some cases be less than six months. Their implementation can lead to company growth, due to increased productivity, efficiency and lower company costs. Cobots used for automatic inspection and machine tending increase operational efficiency due to production volume going up, with no customer rejections.
Affordable, Uncompromised Quality
Cobots are the "low-cost automation" solution for industries. Across industries, cobots are used for various repetitive mechanical tasks that require high levels of precision and consistency. Their use has led to massive increases in production and a ROI in a matter of months from the purchase of the cobots in some companies. They have paved the path to growth for the manufacturing industry, as cobots have proven to be an affordable automation solution for even MSMEs, offering a competitive edge.
The quality of products produced with collaborative robots are a testament to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. A small automotive, metal and machining SME had so success after installing their first cobot for their small components division that they deployed six more cobots within 18 months from their initial purchase.
A Challenge Well-met
In a capital-driven Indian manufacturing industry employing fewer people and looking for a certain skilled-workforce, meeting the challenge put across by the ‘Make in India’ campaign is no easy feat. Yet, cobots provide a simple solution to move towards that goal.
Cobots free up employees’ time to work on more impactful and meaningful work, that requires innovation and creativity projects. This combination of robot and man provide the perfect solution to a growing customer demand for the human involvement in goods to connect with the brans and its products. Further, their implementation allow the labor force to be trained in new skills, thus acquiring a competitive in the workforce, resulting in increased productivity and efficiency. With such growth in the enterprises and by extension the manufacturing industry, the ‘Make in India’ campaign is bound to come to a successful completion, as India’s economy begins to flourish and grow.