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well as predictive maintenance and remote operation , improving overall efficiency , productivity , and profitability .
There are countless examples of businesses that improved their productivity thanks to automating vital parts of their manufacturing processes . Japanese automotive OEM Aido Industry has doubled its productivity in three years and Bernacki Industrial Services has successfully reduced the cost of man-hour production per precision part it produces .
In addition , we ’ re also seeing AI being applied inside the machines . By analyzing data from sensors and other sources , plant operators can identify patterns and trends to help improve efficiency and reduce downtime .
Improvements across the board
We know that human cognitive power and analytical capabilities remain irreplaceable . However , collaborative automation will help manufacturers to meet the demands for greater mass personalization and hypercustomization . Automation in machine tending will allow greater flexibility for more adaptable production in a parametric and generative design .
With cobots able to take over the tedious machine tending tasks , workers are freed to do more valuable and rewarding tasks , and at the same time we see a possibility of longer machine tending shifts , as minimal human supervision is needed . This could mean the growth of 24 / 7 factories , as manufacturers obtain a consistent source of output with factory downtime being practically wiped out . For regions battling low growth and productivity , such as the UK , the notion of non-stop factories is an attractive one .
Matthew Thompson , Commercial Manager , Cobots Online , has seen first-hand how cobots can revolutionize the way smaller UK manufacturers approach machine tending : “ It ’ s often a given that huge companies will have automation , but as an integrator of cobots , our passion lies in making automation accessible for all . This means unlocking the benefits of automation for those who didn ’ t even think it was an option . Cobots are perfect for machine tending . They ’ re adaptable and flexible , meaning they can perform various tasks effectively and affordably . This technology is key to keeping regional manufacturers competitive and in business , especially when talent is scarce .”
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