38 Contact: CHRISTOPHER CLARK [email protected] programmed and quickly changed for new tasks. When performing your current state and future state; think of not limiting your floor to a fixed asset. Robot capabilities are increasing while their prices are decreasing. The robots of yesterday that simply followed the same path, and still required manual labor to finish the job. Now, they are more capable especially when including vision and advanced AI systems. For example, they can easily identify a failed part (critical for medical and aerospace applications) and change their movements in real time accordingly. They are also communicating on a higher level to inspect parts and continue to be used in more skilled finishing applications that typically have been performed manually such as grinding and deburring. COMPETITIVE EDGE Robots do more than simply reduce part costs which make manufacturers more competitive. The flexibility and mobility of robots allows manufacturers to test out new products for new market expansion in a very costeffective manner. The bottom line is that robotic automation is helping US manufacturers to re-shore and compete globally with better fulfilling jobs for their workers. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Artificial Intelligence (AI) uses data (from hardware and software) to make decisions accurately and faster than workers can perform, and without expensive programming. For example, using both AI and Vision (camera) technologies a robot (inputs data as it works) can select parts and place them—and later using the stored part information, change the sequence as determined by the algorithm to select the parts in a different fashion for post processing of some parts and/or packaging of others. The ability of the robot to handle different part types and sizes, as well as cartons, bags, and pallet types (at a high rate of 60 to 70 picks per minute—including vision inspection) without a single line of manual robot programming or operator interaction makes robotic automation a required process for nearly all US manufacturers. AI, sensor, and vision technology allow for varied production with varied tasks. Any producer involved in significant part-topart variation (size, weight, and orientation) will appreciate this advanced technology. From e-commerce pick-and-place to high demanding medical and aerospace part manufacturing applications, all can benefit from robotic automation. The time is now to identify your needs, wants and wishes for the many productivity advantages of automation technology.
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