VR, Iot, Machine Learning…all these new technologies are becoming essential to improve industrial efficiency. In this automatization era, cobotics, which appeared in the 90s, demonstrate this goal to increase productivity and in the same time, to facilitate the workers’ job.
To learning more about this technology, we interviewed ISYBOT, a young company that has emerged from the CEA’s incubator, specializing in design and production of collaborative robot arms. It is considered like a pillar of industry 4.0, by using LS GROUP immersive simulation solutions in order to evaluate the feasibility the integration of theirs cobots with demands and activities of their clients.
The foundations of Cobotics: origin and challenges
We often tend to oppose machines against humans, imagining that robots could replace workers or that their ultra-precise calculations can't match human logic and creativity. But what if, instead of pitting them against each other, we made them work together?
From this idea, Cobotics was born in 1996, combining the words “collaboration” and “robotics”. This approach relies on collaborative robots working safely alongside workers to boost productivity and support them in repetitive tasks.
A rapidly expanding concept in industrial sectors...
Cobots are widely used in a number of industrial sectors, for a variety of reasons:
Automotive: for assembly, welding, painting, inspection, etc.
Aeronautics: for drilling, riveting, assembly of delicate components...
Electronics: to facilitate assembly and handling of small components...
Logistics and warehousing: To perform handling, sorting and inventory management tasks.
Agri-food: For packaging, wrapping and handling products.
A technology with many challenges...
Ergonomics: cobotics improve the ergonomics of workstations by relieving operators of repetitive, painstaking tasks and the need to carry loads. This reduces the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and contributes to greater comfort for workers, enabling them to concentrate on more stimulating and rewarding tasks.
Safety: The safety of operators in the presence of cobots is guaranteed by advanced safety protocols, both technological and normative developments. These measures ensure that workers can collaborate with robots in complete confidence, minimizing the risk of collision or entrapment in the robot cell.
Productivity: The integration of cobotic improves the overall productivity of production lines. Cobots increase daily output and enable companies to respond faster to customer orders. This leads to a faster return on investment, optimizing companies' operational efficiency.
Space: bringing man and machine closer together also makes it possible to reduce workspaces and thus optimize the footprint of production lines.
The ISYBOT case study
At the heart of the industry of the future, ISYBOT designs collaborative robots based on CEA research.
Thanks to its unique mechanical qualities, ISYBOT brings competitiveness and attractiveness to manual operations that are considered non-automatable.
Through agile automation, ISYBOT simplifies the response to the need for flexibility and variability.
Without modifying the work environment, our interactive COBOTs improve productivity while reducing drudgery for the operator.
After an initial cobotic application dedicated to finishing applications (sanding before painting, polishing, buffing), affecting sectors as diverse as railways, aeronautics, shipbuilding, boating and construction, ISYBOT is developing other solutions with a view to relieving the tediousness of manual workstations in the fields of grinding, peeling or interactive handling linked to a manual process with a new cobot with a payload capacity of 25 Kg.
Robot features
The robot features:
Mobility: Thanks to its trolley fitted with castors, the Cobot can move easily around a workshop between different workstations, offering great flexibility of use.
Operator assistance: Thanks to the transparency of the cobot's patented actuators, the operator can carry out an operation without the discomfort of vibrations, or the force required with a manual tool. What's more, he can reproduce this trajectory automatically, while still being able to change the parameters of the process concerned.
Intuitive programming: Equipped with 2 buttons, the operator defines the surface to be treated by simply indicating the 4 corners of the work area with the tool. The cobot will then scan the entire surface with a constant effort and independently modifiable process parameters.
Suction at source: The Cobot is equipped with a synchronised suction system, ideal for sanding and finishing sequences. This feature provides effective dust extraction at the source of emission, ensuring high-quality results and a significant reduction in pollution at the workstation.
Advanced control: The Cobot can interface with any type of network to collect production data or process-related data. The cobot can be remotely controlled if used in a hostile environment. This functionality also enables ISYBOT's customer service to diagnose a problem encountered in production and to advise the customer on how to resolve it.
Virtual Reality for ISYBOT Cobot
ISYBOT uses our XR Twin virtual reality tool to meet the specific needs of certain customers and assess the feasibility of integrating their Cobot into their operations. Before deployment on site, virtual simulations are carried out to assess the potential usefulness of the Cobot in the customer's working environment. This use of XR Twin enables ISYBOT to check the relevance of the Cobot and its real impact on the operations envisaged. If the simulation confirms the adaptation and benefits of the Cobot, ISYBOT deploys it at the customer site, demonstrating the company's commitment to innovation and process optimisation.
The advent of cobotics marks a significant step in the evolution of industry towards collaborative automation. By enabling harmonious cooperation between humans and robots, this technology optimises working methods, improves productivity and enhances safety on production lines.
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LS GROUP: your trusted partner
With over a decade's experience in the new technology industry, our team of experts has mastered the intricacies. We develop plugins and turnkey applications to help companies improve their industrial processes by giving them the possibility of endlessly testing scenarios and simulations in the virtual world, to avoid errors before going into production in the real world.
When it comes to developing VR simulation software, LS GROUP stands out for :
An in-depth knowledge of the sectors and needs of manufacturers in terms of VR simulation and data management
Maximum quality, whatever the technology and hardware chosen
The creation of automatic and semi-automatic production processes to reduce your integration costs
Making the right choice of industrial simulation software in VR may seem complex, but with the support of our experts, you can turn this decision into a strategic opportunity.
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