Universal Robots: Free Tool Enhances Robot Tech & Automation
As companies explore the potential for humans to work alongside robots, numerous factors like health and safety, affordability and efficiency are front of mind for senior leaders around the world.
Collaborative robots (cobots) offer a user-friendly solution for automation-minded organisations that want to balance safety and accessibility in their hybrid human-machine workforce.
Much like conventional robots, cobots are often multi-jointed arms that can bend, swivel and rotate to approach tasks from multiple angles. They can perform myriad tasks with interchangeable tools at the end of their arms, from gluing and welding to packaging and assembling.
But how can businesses safely and effectively test new robotics solutions before unleashing them into their workforce?
New online simulation tool
Universal Robots (UR) offers a powerful online simulation tool, UR Studio, which is built on PolyScope X, the company’s most advanced, open and AI-ready software platform.
UR Studio streamlines the design, testing and optimisation of collaborative robot applications ahead of their deployment.
The new robot testing tool enables customers, partners and integrators to build 1:1 online simulations of their work environments, explore how robots operate within them and simulate all aspects of their setup.
Users can test robot movement patterns, assess speed, reach and workflow, and calculate cycle time – making it the simplest way to configure an optimised work cell, maximising return on investment before deployment even starts.
“It’s all about confidence and ease of deployment,” says Tero Tolonen, Universal Robots’ Chief Product Officer. “Whether you are new to automation or an experienced customer optimising a complex cell, you want assurance and certainty before making the final decision on your solution.
“With UR Studio, we now provide an intuitive, easy-accessible tool to simulate and visualise the end-user setup and thoroughly test the cell and its capabilities – mapping out details for maximum efficiency and performance.”
Free from cost and installation setup
UR Studio is available free of charge and runs directly on desktop browsers, requiring no installation.
Users simply log into the UR Studio website to get started. With the intuitive interface, navigation of the simulated environment is effortless with pre-made templates for the most common applications like machine tending, screwdriving, palletising and pick-and-place, fast-tracking the building and configuration of the virtual work cell.
What are the benefits of cobots?
Mark Gray, UK & Ireland Country Manager at Universal Robots, explains how cobots alleviate employees of repetitive and strenuous manual labour.
“Cobots can work alongside humans to take on this work, preventing staff injuries while improving manufacturing quality as human error is reduced,” explains Mark. “In fact, we believe that around two-thirds of the repetitive, manual tasks carried out on the shop floor can be automated using cobots.
“Manufacturers that implement cobots on the shop floor will see not only an increase in productivity, but be able to ensure worker safety and wellbeing.
“In theory, automating menial factory tasks could also reduce time spent at work and even get rid of the night shift which is known to have adverse effects on employee health. This could allow for more flexible work patterns which not only drive employee retention but also improve productivity – a win-win situation!”
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