SMEs – YES , YOU CAN AUTOMATE SUCCESSFULLY !
SMEs – YES , YOU CAN AUTOMATE SUCCESSFULLY !
DID YOU KNOW ...
The concept of a digital factory can be daunting . ABB ' s research shows that perceived complexity is a big issue of concern for SMEs in particular . ABB is tackling this with its latest generations of cobots and Wizard easy programming software , aiming to make cobots easy to deploy and use for companies that have little or no experience in programming or operating robots . These are examples of how companies can take steps to build confidence and experience in automation by starting small and tackling the easiest challenges first . Once they have gained experience , they can then move up to the next levels of automation to tackle more difficult tasks .
ABB ' s approach is to guide its customers wherever they are in the journey of digitalisation and whatever it means to them . Digitalisation does not mean having to throw out everything you already have – instead , it is about finding the best ways to use new technology to augment what you already have , identifying areas for improvement and finding ways to solve them . The digital factory is flexible and means different things for different people and companies . A digital solution needs to range from digitalising and synchronising single robots to having the complete view and dashboard .
A good example of how ABB technology can be used by a small manufacturer to open new possibilities is DB Shoes in the UK . Established in 1840 , the company is using two ABB robots as part of its shoe manufacturing operation . Using the robots has given the company the flexibility to expand its offering to make new styles of shoes and handle new designs in the future .
Arno Strotgen , SVP , and Head of Customer Service and Digital Platform at ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation , says : * We see simplification as a very important part of the digital journey * Simplification is making robots easier to install , program and operate .
* Simplification in a digital factory is about making robots easier to install , program , and operate . If robots are simple and intuitive to use , for new users as well as experienced users , we can offset talent shortages . This is particularly beneficial for SMEs , which often lack integration and engineering resources . They will benefit greatly from the scalability of robotics , grow with it and use the flexibility of automation to adapt quickly to changing markets .
* We can manage increased automation complexity with intuitive tools and offering ease of programming that removes key entry barriers to new users .
* Examples include lead through programming on our YuMi ®, GoFaTM , and SWIFTITM cobots ; Wizard easy programming on our cobots and IRB1100 industrial robot , that enables users to program a robot using pre-programmed block-based programming , enabling even complete novices to use a robot .
Our RobotStudio ® programming software also allows robot installations to be created , tested , and simulated in an offline environment , taking the time , cost and disruption out of installing and commissioning a robot or robot cell on the factory floor . By using augmented reality one can even visualize the robot solutions in the real-life production environment as a hologram .”
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