Introduction
The industrial robot is an automated device designed to replace manual labor in the production and manufacturing of items. While originally designed to be used solely in industrial settings, the industrial robot has now become increasingly commonplace in many other industries, such as healthcare, construction and even military applications.
History
The first industrial robot was developed in 1954 by Unimation, Inc., then based in Connecticut. This first generation of industrial robots was able to perform labor-intensive processes such as welding, painting, and packaging—tasks which were previously done by humans.
Progress
Since the development of the first industrial robot, much progress has been made in the advancement of their functionality. The technology for industrial robots has improved significantly over the years, allowing for greatly increased flexibility and precision in the application of their use. For instance, robots are now able to perform more delicate operations such as quality control, painting and assembly. In addition to this, robots can now be programmed to recognize physical objects, such as parts and products, making them highly useful for tasks such as handling and packing goods.
Advantages
One of the major advantages of using industrial robots is that they can be programmed to be more accurate and efficient than a human worker. This means that production and manufacturing processes can be completed faster and with a greater degree of precision. Furthermore, robots are able to operate in hazardous environments, working where humans cannot, such as areas which have extreme temperatures, high levels of radiation, or dangerous substances.
Another benefit of industrial robots is that they are able to reduce costs associated with staff wages and employee injury. Robots are able to work faster than humans and also require less rest, allowing companies to save money on labour costs. In addition, robots can also reduce workplace accidents, as they lack emotions and can therefore perform more dangerous tasks without putting humans at risk.
Disadvantages
However, industrial robots come with a few drawbacks. Firstly, although the technology for industrial robots has improved significantly, the programming can still take up a lot of time and is often unnecessarily complicated. In addition, the initial cost of purchasing and installing an industrial robot can be quite high—even after the purchase, maintenance and repair costs can become quite pricey.
Conclusion
Overall, industrial robots play an essential role in the manufacturing and production of goods. With increased accuracy and efficiency, robots are able to outperform human labor in terms of speed and reliability. In addition, using industrial robots also has a number of economic benefits— less reliance on human labor saves on costs such as wages and possible employee injuries. However, there are still a few drawbacks associated with the use of industrial robots, namely the high purchase and maintenance costs.
