"It is necessary to integrate different technologies and make a specific development so that robots can be adapted to the each company’s needs"
Industrial robotics for new flexible manufacturing
The robotics market is expected to grow from €25 billion in 2020 to between €160-260 billion by 2030. We have to consider that, in industry, there are still non-value-added or hazardous manual operations that need to be automated. This is why it is necessary to integrate different technologies and undertake developments so that robots can adapt to each company’s needs, and help them to be more competitive.
Flexible manufacturing: The challenge
At present, classical robotic lines are not easily adaptable because of their high cost. If we add to this the training needs of the operating staff and the difficulty in knowing what can and cannot be automated, we have a challenge that must be faced in order to remain competitive.
Therefore, this type of manufacturing would allow greater adaptability in the production of short series; a reduction in non-productive times and the achievement of a higher utilisation rate of production means; greater flexibility in distributing tasks between work stations and an increase in the speed of reaction to a new product variant requested.
Technological advances that will make it possible to break down these barriers
At TECNALIA we work on different technologies and applications that evolve static workstations towards flexible workstations to improve the performance of the manufacturing industry. Technologies and applications aimed at tackling the challenges faced by the industry to improve the productivity and competitiveness of companies.
- 3D Vision, Computer Vision
- Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning
- Simulation software to train models
- Electronics: Edge computing
- Connectivity: 5G and Wifi 6, Cloud
TECNALIA, together with the Alava Group, presented the latest technological developments in robotics and 3D vision to more than 50 organisations:
- Robot with 3D vision for part identification and manipulation
- Conveyor belt that detects and analyses defects in parts using 3D vision
- Smart cameras with a code scanner and an optical recognition system for product identification and tracking in industrial environments.
- Solutions using 3D vision and advanced algorithms to automatically generate tool paths and allow polishing and deburring operations with top-quality finishes on complex parts without requiring manual programming.
- Robotic arms and advanced sensors to automate tasks such as laboratory sample handling, where accuracy and repeatability are critical to ensure results.
- Robotic arms mounted on mobile platforms to achieve greater flexibility and reach different parts of the production plant, increasing the safety of personnel in accessing potentially hazardous areas.
- In motion automated bolting for the assembly of in-motion motors.
