The advent of steam power led to the Industrial Revolution, and the introduction of the assembly line allowed manufacturers to make products more quickly and efficiently. In the information age, advances in areas like robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are changing the way products are made. Let’s take a look at some of the ways robotic equipment can help a manufacturing business.

Reduced Payroll Costs

Human workers expect a paycheck, and companies may have to offer generous benefits packages to attract qualified and enthusiastic candidates. A human workforce also requires management and supervision. Robots can operate continuously and do not require supervision or downtime for breaks, pay raises, or personal needs.

Reduced Utility Costs

Human beings are most productive when their workplaces are well-illuminated and comfortable, but robots can work in the dark and in environments that are not heated or air-conditioned. This can potentially reduce utility costs in manufacturing facilities with highly automated production lines, as robots can operate in environments with less lighting and temperature control.

Flexibility

When a manufacturing company’s needs change, it may have to hire new workers or invest in a training program. Many robots can be reprogrammed to perform various tasks, providing flexibility that can help manufacturers adapt to changing market conditions more efficiently.

Scalability

The demand for manufactured products waxes and wanes, which means the companies that make them have to be able to quickly ramp production up or scale it back. Robots are capable of operating continuously, allowing manufacturers to increase or reduce production in response to market demand as needed.

Improved Precision

Even the most skilled and capable workers have bad days. Fatigue, illness, and distraction can all lead to on-the-job mistakes that cause production delays or reduce product quality. Robots are designed to perform repetitive tasks for extended periods with consistent precision, which can help reduce human error associated with fatigue or distraction.

Reduced Liability

Just about every employer is sued sooner or later by workers who feel they have been treated unfairly. Lawsuits alleging harassment, discrimination, or wage and hour law violations can harm a company’s reputation, and hiring lawyers to deal with these cases can be very expensive. Work-related lawsuits can also lead to scrutiny from state labor boards or federal agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Automated production lines reduce the need for a human workforce, which may minimize exposure to certain labor-related liabilities.

Improved Safety

Some manufacturing jobs are quite dangerous. Manufacturers must comply with strict workplace safety regulations when human workers perform hazardous tasks, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is not concerned about robot safety. Robots can perform hazardous tasks without the need for safety equipment, potentially reducing some workplace accident risks.

The Future is Inevitable

Manufacturers must maintain or improve product quality and control their costs carefully to remain competitive, which is why so many production lines are now automated. Advanced manufacturing robots are designed to handle difficult and hazardous tasks with high efficiency and precision, and they do not require compensation. Robots are the future, and the future is inevitable.

Published by: Annie P.