Despite cobots being valued in the industry for their adaptability and ease of use, Automation 4.0 shows that conventional industrial robots offer significant advantages, especially for small and medium- sized companies.
Speed and precision
Industrial robots excel in speed and precision compared to cobots, making them ideal for high-volume applications with stringent quality standards. Their superior repeatability ensures consistent production quality, which is essential in industries like automotive and electronics. Consequently, industrial robots can quickly and efficiently respond to increased demand. In quantitative terms, cobots typically operate at a maximum speed of 1000 mm/s, while industrial robots can achieve speeds up to ten times faster.
High-mix low-volume scenario
Cobots are often praised for their ease of use during programming (teach-in process). With constantly changing production levels or numerous product variants, a cobot can be quickly adapted thanks to its simple programming options, making it highly flexible. In contrast, industrial robots are traditionally considered complex to program and requiring expert knowledge. However, this perception has changed in practice.
Software solutions like the ArtiMinds Robot Programming Suite now allow template-based programming for both industrial robots and cobots, making the process clear and adaptable. As a result, experts are no longer needed to quickly and precisely adapt and reprogram robot applications. With industrial robots capable of significantly faster cycle times, modern software that simplifies programming to cobot levels offers substantial advantages. This combination enables high production volumes to be automated easily and efficiently.
Load capacity and performance
Industrial robots can handle much heavier loads than cobots. While cobots are typically limited to payloads of up to 40 kilograms, industrial robots can lift up to 2300 kilograms, depending on the model, making them ideal for heavy industrial applications. Historically, only “powerful” industrial robots could be used for many tasks, such as in the automotive industry, requiring expert programming at significant expense. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this often meant hiring external experts or foregoing robot support altogether. However, new template-based and manufacturer-independent programming methods now enable companies of all sizes to harness the benefits of automation and stay competitive.
Costs and cost-effectiveness
Although the acquisition costs for industrial robots can be higher, they are often more economical in the long term. This is due to their higher productivity and efficiency, which enables faster amortization of investment costs. Cobots offer lower initial costs and initially easier programming, but not the same productivity and efficiency. If no actual human-robot interaction is required for the automation process, it should therefore always be carefully considered whether the industrial robot is the better choice.
Space requirements and safety considerations
In general, cobots are considered safer for direct human interaction due to their built-in sensors. However, there are various ways to retrofit conventional industrial robots to ensure employee safety. These include safety fences, safety modules, and specialized safety laser scanners that immediately deactivate the robot if the light barrier is breached.
It is also important to note that cobots are only safe as long as the application or additional hardware does not pose a danger to humans. Processes such as welding or milling, for example, require appropriate safety measures and protective barriers even when using cobots.
Areas of application
Industrial robots are ideal for applications in automotive production, electronics manufacturing, surface treatment, and other areas requiring high precision and repeatability. Cobots are typically used in smaller companies or for tasks requiring direct human cooperation, such as packaging, quality inspection, or light assembly. In these scenarios, cobots act more as helpers, relieving workers of heavy lifting or repetitive tasks rather than performing specific tasks independently.
In summary, conventional industrial robots are often better suited for many industrial applications than cobots due to their higher speed, load capacity, precision, and flexibility. Despite the higher initial costs, they offer greater productivity and profitability in the long term. Modern programming and analysis tools like ArtiMinds Robot Programming Suite and ArtiMinds Learning & Analytics for Robots have also mitigated the complexity of programming, making it less of a decisive factor when choosing between cobots and industrial robots. For SMEs, industrial robots can be game changers, especially with the increasing focus on economically promising sensor-adaptive processes in automation.
With this white paper, we want to provide you with guidance for your automation plans. To help you to avoid typical pitfalls when using robots, we highlight the top 5 underestimated challenges and stumbling blocks when getting started in robotics and provide you with helpful tips and interactive checklists.
In order to maintain high repeatability and process stability even for large quantities, Primus Präzisionstechnik automated the assembly of a gear unit using a flexible robot cell. The vision- and force-controlled application was programmed with ArtiMinds RPS.
