1. Why have robots caught on in manufacturing?

What knowledge do they

require?

Robotics and manufacturing are a natural partnership. Robotics play a major

role in the manufacturing landscape today. Automated manufacturing
solutions should be a key part of any operation that strives for maximum
efficiency, safety and competitive advantage in the market. Manufacturing
robots automate repetitive tasks, reduce margins of error to negligible rates,
and enable human workers to focus on more productive areas of the
operation.

Robots used in manufacturing fill numerous roles. Fully autonomous robots in

manufacturing are commonly needed for high-volume, repetitive processes
where the speed, accuracy and durability of a robot offers unparalleled
advantages. Other manufacturing automation solutions include robots used to
help people with more intricate tasks. The robot executes components of the
process such as lifting, holding and moving heavy pieces.

Robotic process automation in manufacturing allows companies to remain

competitive globally offering an efficient, viable alternative to offshoring and
fulfilling the skills gap in areas where it may be difficult to recruit the
necessary employees. Manufacturing robots enable employees to focus on
innovation, efficiency and other, more intricate processes that ultimately lay
the groundwork for growth and success. With a dedicated manufacturing
automation solution in place, you can see increased productivity, improved
worker safety and satisfaction, and a better bottom line.

Here are some reasons why have robots caught on/used in

manufacturing:

1. Robots used in manufacturing create efficiencies all the way from raw
material handling to finished product packing.
2. Robots can be programmed to operate 24/7 in lights-out situations for
continuous production.
3. Robotic equipment is highly flexible and can be customized to perform
even complex functions.
4. With robotics in greater use today than ever, manufacturers increasingly
need to embrace automation to stay competitive.
5. Automation can be highly cost-effective for nearly every size of company,
including small shops.

2. Can robots replace human workers in manufacturing? Explain your

answer.
In my opinion, it is no. As automation continues to play a larger role
throughout the global manufacturing industry. New technologies and a
dwindling talent pool have led industry leaders to rely more heavily on
robotics.

Automation and robotics may have taken impressive steps forward in the past
few year, but they are still not able to replicate the human element in
manufacturing. The days of an entirely automated manufacturing industry are
still ways away and the human element is still very much essential.

Here are some reasons why robots cannot replace human workers in
Manufacturing:

1. Redistributing the Workforce

It is true that robots can take over when it comes to simple, repetitive
tasks. However, this does not mean individuals that once performed
those duties have become obsolete. Robots, as with any technology,
will need to maintain and repaired throughout its life.

A manufacturer that retrains their current workforce to handle this new

machinery is at an incredible advantage. Businesses have found that
looking for technology specialists to work in a manufacturing facility is
incredibly difficult. Instead of spending the time and money looking for
new employees, a retraining program could provide all the talent a
modern manufacturer needs. In this case, the workforce would not be
lost because of new robotics systems, it would be redistributed.

2. Enhancing the Current Workforce

all robots are created equal. Some are better at performing repetitive
tasks while others are specifically designed to assist the human
workforce. Collaborative robots have made a huge impression on
modern manufacturers and one of the key applications of these
systems is boosting productivity.

3. Humans vs. Robots – Dexterity

Technology still has its limitations especially when it comes to robotics.
Regardless of that, robots have come a long way but there are still
certain tasks that are better left to the human element. Manufacturing
processes that require a high-level of dexterity will still require a person
to take control as robots simply cannot keep up. Robots still have a
hard time matching the level of dexterity that a human can achieve.

When it comes to a smaller manufacturing operation, robotics can

instead step in and assist with repetitive tasks, freeing up the human
workforce to work on processes that require a high level of dexterity or
critical thinking. If a robot can take over some repetitive tasks, the
 human employee can spend most of their day working on these
delicate procedures instead. This could have a direct impact on the
productivity of a manufacturing facility.

4. Collaboration & Innovation

One area where humans still outshine robotics systems is the ability to
collaborate and innovate. Robots follow their programming with no
room for improvisation. A human employee can locate inefficiencies in
a manufacturing process and resolve it with a little creative thinking.
This can be as small as moving a fastener box over a few shelves to
cut down on travel time or as big as solidifying a partnership with a new
supplier to drive down costs and improve a manufacturers supply
chain. Humans will still be a necessary force on the shop floor in order
to continually improve. The humans on the shop floor can identify
issues and come up with new ways to address bottlenecks. Robots will
continue to follow their program until an issue stops a production line in
its tracks.

With all the technology making its way into manufacturing facilities
around the globe, manufacturers fear the end of the human workforce.
But these concerns are not necessarily based as the human element is
very much a critical component of the modern manufacturing industry.
There are still tasks that robots cannot perform or not nearly as well
when compared to their human counterparts. Furthermore, new
machinery will call for new technicians and engineers to ensure the
robots remain in working condition. As more robots enter the
workforce, it will not be the apocalyptic end of the human workforce as
many fears. Instead, it could be the next step toward a brighter
manufacturing future.

3. If you were considering introducing robots in your manufacturing plant,

what management, organization, and technology issues would you need
to address?

Management:
As robots become more widespread, manufacturing tasks performed by
humans will become higher level and more complex. Workers will be
expected to supervise and perhaps even program robots, and there will be
fewer low-level manufacturing jobs.

Organization:
Robots are more functional and systematics, therefore they can improve the
performance of organization like improving quality and achieve the goals of an
organization. However, in organization will need to do the decision according
to the change of market, economic over time, the robots cannot do the
decision instead of human.
Technology:
Robots offer a huge increase in efficiency for manufacturers, but they can be
expensive. The sensors, camera, and motors - and lots of work - that are
needed to make these things work can be expensive, which is why the total
adds up to be something so high.