7. Signaling Innovation: Investing in cobots sends a strong message to customers and partners that a company is committed to innovation and maintaining high standards. This can help build and maintain confidence in the com- pany’s capabilities and competitiveness. Real-World Successes: Lessons from the Field The Western New York region has seen strong adoption of cobots, with companies reaping significant benefits from their implementation. For example, there are cobots now in use in the region for welding, machine tending (CNC, press brakes, and more), parts finishing, screwdriving, box building, and palletizing. To help accelerate this growth, EWI has piloted a program in Western New York with the intent of spreading it to other regions across the country. Here are a few recent examples of cobot implementation projects support by EWI.
Koch Metal Spinning: Faced with the challenge of automating the pol- ishing of aluminum parts—a dirty and undesirable task—Koch Metal Spinning turned to a cobot from Universal Robots. The result? Consistent quality, freed-up resources, and an upskilled operator now leading the company’s robotics work. The company can now quote jobs it previously couldn’t, opening up new business opportunities.
Tapecon: In this case, a Universal Robots cobot was introduced to auto- mate a highly repetitive and ergonomically challenging machine-tending process. By developing a single program that could handle product varia- tion, Tapecon significantly improved capacity and throughput, demonstrat- ing the efficiency gains that cobots can deliver.
Bak US: A small company focusing on automated screwdriving, Bak US found that dividing the workload between cobots and human operators yielded the best results. This approach not only enhanced productivity but also provided ergonomic relief to workers and even drove job growth as the company expanded its operations.
The Need for Government Support While the benefits of cobots are clear, SMMs often need assistance to embark on their automation journey. This is where state and federal governments can play a pivotal role. By investing in cobot-focused programs, governments can provide the necessary resources and guidance to help SMMs successfully implement automation technologies. This support is critical not just for the success of individual companies, but for the broader economic health of the manufacturing sector. Programs that provide financial incentives, technical training, and access to expertise can lower the barriers to entry for SMMs, enabling them to compete on a level playing field with larger manufacturers. In doing so, these programs can help ensure that SMMs continue to be a vital part of the manufacturing landscape, driving innovation, job creation, and economic growth. Conclusion: A Strategic Investment in the Future of Manufacturing The adoption of collaborative robots by SMMs is not just a trend—it’s a necessary step toward ensuring the com- petitiveness and sustainability of the manufacturing sector. By supporting these efforts through targeted programs, state and federal governments can help SMMs overcome the challenges they face and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. The time to invest in the future of manufacturing is now, and collaborative robots are one of the keys to making that future a reality.
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