Manufacturers remain reluctant to implement robotic in their production process but a majority of those surveyed found robotics in manufacturing will improve productivity and safety. However, one of the big challenges is the shortage of skilled workers in manufacturing.

Other missing factors are the lack of leadership or management skills and automation knowledge. In spite of challenges, still confidence in manufacturing to fill the gap with their own workforce based on-the-job experience.

2018 Salary Survey: Skilled worker shortage, challenges

It is true that industrial robots are helping manufacturers because project manager supervises less employees, but it will not solve all management skill problems. In fact, there is a lack of robotic automation skills for a successful of the automation project.

According to 2018 Plant Engineering Salary Survey , finding more workers is the singular issue facing the industry. Finding leaders from among the current workforce is a less visible issue, but it will become a greater concern as the older workers move closer to retirement.

Get peace-of-mind with Robot Automation

All plants have some form of robotics in their facilities, robots offer peace-of-mind because they produce high-quality work. Therefore, improving productivity.

They can also be predictable allowing employees to focus on other tasks. In fact, training and keeping the operators are more expensive than maintenance and the programming of the robots.

One more factor to consider is that they can be reprogrammed to perform a other applications and refurbished to extend their useful life by providing proper maintenance.

On the following chart, we can see the main benefits of robotics in manufacturing. In this survey productivity is the highest robotic value for manufacturing.

Robot Integrator companies provide training to the operators and we are helping employees to start in automation.

Phoenix offers a complete package of robot automation system for any robot applications from a single robot cell design to an assembly production line including control panel, electrical panel wiring, electrical panel design.

See also Top 5 Reasons why robotics benefit you

Mobile Technology is moving into Industrial Automation

In recent years industrial automation new technology such as the mobile devices are playing an important role in every aspect of our lives and they are increasingly demanding with automation systems changing how data is analysed, stored and acquired.

Hence, some larger industrial control companies already have integrated mobile with data acquisition application to their automation products. In addition, they are integrating mobile communications systems for better performance.

Mobile capabilities for Automation Systems

Hardware and software are part of the operations technologies in manufacturing plants, while information technology is for mobile communication systems. For instance, by integrating these two technologies, the end users engage their mobile devices with no restrictions. It requires to install specific software and more advanced programming or configuration. Therefore, using a familiar web browser gives users the capability to do some setup in mobiles or tables devices. Eventhough, PC access nor internet is required to do the work. Why to invest in robot technology ? See the main advantages of this new technology.

10 Top Advantages of Mobile Technology for Industrial Automation

Traditional Industrial Automation include more complex architectures or steps while mobile technology provides simplified solutions. Also, see some of the advantages of the newer technology:

1. Improves data flow
2. Control who can have access to the data
3. Data provides additional services to customers and improve machine design.
4. Operators can monitor equipment located remotely or in hazardous areas
5. Progressive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will build the right data points into their equipment and gather results from a machine, a site, or even multiple sites
6. Management team and OEMs can access information from industrial automation systems from their Mobile
7. Remotely assess operating conditions
8. Reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs, and to improve efficiency
9. Access to more detail data; when and where owners of staffs need it
10. Preventive or predictive maintenance via details analysis

Mobile Security Concern

Even though the adding of mobile devices have advantages, it can also raise concerns about who can see or change industrial controller data. For instance, in a traditional systems a serial cable connect the the hardwired interface terminal to a PLC, the HMI user experience is local and separated from the rest of the world.

Security is also of great concern because it demands more attention for a mobile device on Wi-Fi network, or connecting over the internet. In other words, it means all efforts shoudl focus on the security over external jackers.

Robot Automation Systems

The mobile devices and applications are now advancing into the industrial robot automation systems because robot system is integrated to the plant operation process. Industrial robot – new robot or used industrial robots – are part of whole process and they can also be monitored on how data is acquired, viewed, stored, analysed and acted upon.

Therefore, factories can include any application such as robot milling, robot palletising, robot cutting, trimming, Robot robotic welding, or painting robot as part of their industrial automation.
Whereas factories want to include control systems, robot automation or mobile technology into your automation systems, it is crucial to consult with a Control System Integrator, Robot Integrator or both depends of the complex of the project.

Nevertheless, Industrial integrators will advise and guide you throughout the whole process saving time and cost.

See other Robot 3D Printing Technology