Robotics is currently one of the most important elements in the development strategy of manufacturing companies. It plays a major role in increasing a plant’s productivity and work efficiency and, consequently, strengthening its market position. It is a multi-stage process, with the key phases being the production of robots, their installation at the customer’s site, and their commissioning. Due to the complexity of the entire undertaking, implementing technologically advanced machines is not an easy task. It also cannot be carried out too quickly, as this could lead to poorly executed robotization, bringing more losses than benefits to the company. Here we explain how long the process of implementing industrial robots takes and what factors influence it.
What affects the time required to implement a robot?
The time required to implement a robot in a facility depends on many factors. Therefore, it is impossible to determine precisely how long the entire process will take. As mentioned earlier, production process robotization is a highly complex process, in which each phase directly affects the next. For this reason, if delays occur in the earlier stages, the implementation of subsequent phases will also be delayed.
Before an industrial robot is implemented in a facility, a series of steps must be taken to ensure its proper operation. These include:
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Analysis of production processes and client needs and requirements – this stage includes technical, economic, and operational analysis. It determines which processes will be robotized, what tasks the robot will perform, and how it will operate. This phase also defines the company’s financial capabilities, the possibilities for integrating the machine with existing technological solutions in the facility, and the overall goal of robotization.
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Selection of technologies and materials for the industrial robot – the choice of technologies and materials used to build the robot is primarily influenced by the client’s requirements and available budget.
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Planning of activities – at this stage, the contractor establishes the schedule for the entire project. This includes the time needed to acquire the necessary materials for the robot, as well as how long its construction and integration with the facility’s systems will take. At this phase, a more accurate estimate of the total project cost is also possible.
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Robot design – the design is created based on the company’s requirements and capabilities, taking into account the selected materials and technologies, the robot’s intended functions, and safety and regulatory compliance. The completed design is presented to the client and modified if necessary.
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Robot construction and programming.
Only after completing all these stages does the robot get implemented in the facility.
Implementing robots in the production automation process – what else should be kept in mind?
It should be noted that the implementation of robots does not mark the end of the production robotization process. After installation in the facility, the robot must also be integrated with existing production and IT systems. In addition to physically mounting the machine, its software must be configured, and communication with other devices established. Tests must also be conducted to verify the robot’s performance in practice and optimize it if necessary, ensuring maximum production efficiency. Another crucial aspect of implementing robots in a facility is training employees to operate them and, if needed, adjusting the workplace culture. For these reasons, the entire process of implementing advanced machines typically takes several months. Attempting to speed it up can result in significant shortcomings during the planning, design, construction, or integration phases.
At Taskoprojekt, every stage of robotization is carried out with the utmost precision, taking into account the client’s needs and requirements. We make every effort to ensure that the process is as minimally disruptive as possible for the company. We also provide guidance on which solutions will work best in the facility and present options for cost optimization.
