This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
Assembly Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Assembly Magazine logo
  • Home
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Edition
    • Archives
    • Specs Book
    • How-To-Guide
    • Buyers Guide
  • Exclusives
    • Plant of the Year
      • About Plant of the Year
      • Nomination Form
    • Capital Spending
    • State of the Profession
  • Industries
    • Aerospace
    • Appliance
    • Automotive
    • Medical Devices
    • DFMA Assembly
    • Green Manufacturing
    • Lean Manufacturing
    • Electronics Assembly
    • Machinery Assembly
  • Technologies
    • Adhesives
    • Assembly Presses
    • Automated Assembly
    • Dispensing
    • Motion Control
    • Screwdriving and Riveting
    • Plastics Assembly
    • Robotics
    • Test and Inspection
    • Welding
    • Wire Processing
    • Workstations
  • Columns
    • Assembly in Action
    • Automation Profiles
    • Medical Device Assembly
    • On Campus
    • Shipulski on Design
    • The Editorial
    • XYZ
    • Moser on Manufacturing
    • 21st Century Assembly
    • Mind Your Ps and Qs
  • New Products
  • More
    • Web Exclusives
    • Classifieds
    • eNewsletter
    • Blog
    • Market Research
    • Store
    • Product Spotlight
    • White Papers
    • Integrated Showcase
    • Custom Content & Marketing Solutions
    • Monthly Quiz
    • Sponsored Insight
  • Multimedia
    • Assembly Radio
    • Assembly TV
    • Image Galleries
    • Webinars
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • The Assembly Show
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
  • InfoCenters
    • Collaborative Robot Revolution
    • Factory of the Future
Home » View From the Top: Good Tidings to Assemblers From the Robotic Industries Association
Columns

View From the Top: Good Tidings to Assemblers From the Robotic Industries Association

November 20, 2008
Brian Huse
Reprints


With the biggest holiday shopping season upon us, workers and business owners wonder what can lift their economic situation. Many of these hopeful people help make products that come off assembly lines, and many of their companies belong to Robotic Industries Association. During these historic times, we need each other, and it is the hallmark of trade associations to bring the best together and help an entire group succeed.

The good news is that assembly has a great friend in robotics. Assembly is an area Robotic Industries Association emphasizes with a new online tutorial available from Robotics Online (www.robotics.org). Click the Safety and Training section of the web site and go to the “Robotics for Assembly Automation Tutorial.” This is one of several free tutorials that provide expert information from RIA members to help new users succeed with robotics technology.

Another way RIA members help users solve assembly challenges is through a Robotics Online forum called “Ask the Experts.” This section of the web site covers a number of popular topics, and there are nearly 30 experts available to answer specific questions about assembly. Many happy users find golden insights from RIA members.

It is common to wonder if robots are difficult to use, and the answer is that after decades of development they are very user friendly. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that compared to hard automation, robotic systems tend to be less complex. Why? For one thing, robots can take the place of other electrical and mechanical devices used in “conventional” configurations. That means less to maintain and repair.

Higher reliability is another big factor for choosing robots in assembly applications. Years of statistics show robots deliver 50,000 to 100,000 hours of mean time between failure of operation. According to RIA experts, a three-axis pneumatic manipulator is six times more likely to be visited by the Grinch of failure than a six-axis robot.

While robots are easier to use and more reliable than their hard automation counterparts, the fact they tend to be less expensive is, of course, very important. Price points have been driven down while technology and performance have gone up to the point you can get at least 25 percent more machine now for less than you would have a few decades ago.

Robots have done more to improve the manufacturing landscape than nearly any other technology. They are time savers, space savers and budget savers. Companies that learn how to harness the advantages of robotics for assembly will be ready for the economic upturn when it happens.

Like any good trade association, the Robotic Industries Association promotes networking and technology transfer. Information sharing with RIA members is facilitated through Robotics Online and in the form of training and education. Some companies (Toyota, for instance) have surprised their competition by opting for more training as a strategic tactic to weather the economic downturn.

RIA has a deep pool of experts to help users determine how to succeed with robotics and prepare their companies for a brighter future. Train and prepare as much as you can to be in the best position possible to outperform the competition. Toward that end, mark your calendar for the big International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show and Conference June 9-11, 2009, in Rosemont (Chicago), IL.

If you want a happy return on investment, look into robotics and apply for a corporate membership in Robotic Industries Association. Our board, our committees and the RIA staff believe those who stay involved with us will be among the first to see and ride an upturn in the economy. We sincerely hope you will have prosperity and wish you good tidings in the New Year.

subscribe to assembly

Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Robotic Industries Association
Ann Arbor, MI
734-994-6088
www.robotics.org

Related Articles

View From the Top: Industry Leader in Automatic Screwfeeder Technology

View From the Top: Northstar Industries

View From the Top: Using Standard, Modular Components to Simplify Machine Design

View From the Top: Assemblers Look for Semiautomatic Solutions

Related Products

Faster, Better, Cheaper in the History of Manufacturing: From the Stone Age to Lean Manufacturing and Beyond

The Foreman on the Assembly Line

Introduction to the Design and Behavior of Bolted Joints, Fourth Edition: Non-Gasketed Joints

Related Events

Going from Good to Great: Improve Assembly Productivity Through Better Torque Management

Lean Six Sigma in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Harnessing the Power of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Grippers: The Secret to Success in Collaborative Robot Applications

Related Directories

The Test Connection Inc. (TTCI)

TM Robotics

VIEW Micro-Metrology

Industrial Controls Co

Subscribe For Free!
  • Print & Digital Edition Subscriptions
  • Assembly eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Mobile App

More Videos

Popular Stories

lordstown motors

Electric Truck Manufacturer Buys GM’s Lordstown Assembly Plant

Bobcat manufacturing

Bobcat Announces Manufacturing and Assembly Facility Upgrades

Wearable Device 11-27

Wearable Lets Users Control IoT-Enabled Devices With Brain Waves

Rayovac 11-20

Energizer Moving VT Battery Manufacturing Facility to Former Rayovac Plant

Breaking and Industry News

Airstream Manufacturing Expands With $50 Million Factory

Upcoming Assembly Events and Webinars

Events

January 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Cloud Computing

Are you using cloud computing at your assembly plant?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

Welding: Principles & Practices

Welding: Principles & Practices

This text introduces students to a solid background in the basic principles and practices of welding.

See More Products
assembly buyers guide

Assembly Magazine

assembly dec 2019

2019 December

The 2019 December Assembly features our Capital Spending Report, plus much more. Check it out today!
View More Create Account
  • More
    • Assembly Plant of the Year
    • Manufacturing Group
    • List Rental
    • Organizations
    • Connect
    • Want More?
    • Polls
    • Privacy Policy
    • Subscribe
    • Survey And Sample

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing