Robots on the assembly line: transferring parts between operations and maintaining presses
The robot maintains a consistent pace – operations proceed in a synchronized manner.
People do not move parts between presses and tables.
A person's hands do not enter the danger zone of the press.
Robots, grippers, communication with presses and conveyors, start-up and training.
01 Who is this offer for?
For production managers and chief engineers of factories where people manually move parts between presses, machines, and conveyors.
Manual handling is the main source of downtime and injuries on the line: the operator is distracted – the line stops, they rush – a hand gets caught in the press. The robot consistently and in sync transfers the part each time.
02 Why is this beneficial for the factory?
The line operates at a consistent rhythm, allowing for production planning.
A robot operates the press – people do not risk their hands.
Continuous operation without breaks for loading and changing shifts – the equipment is utilized more fully.
Operators monitor the line, not the individual parts.
Robots, presses, and the conveyor system exchange signals – each knows when it's their turn.
We calculate in advance: time spent on loading, idle time, and potential injuries. This calculation is free.
03How a Robotic Line Works
Parts arrive on the conveyor; a sensor or camera identifies each one.
The robot captures an image of the part; the camera, equipped with engiAI, identifies its position on the conveyor belt.
The robot places the part in the press or machine and exits the area.
The equipment is running, and the robot is preparing the next part.
The finished part moves to the next operation or is placed in a container.
04 Connection between the robot and the production line
Robots, presses, machines, and conveyors exchange signals through discrete inputs and outputs or over a network (using protocols like TCP/IP and Modbus TCP), tailored to your specific equipment.
| What to connect | Why |
|---|---|
| Sensors and cameras on the conveyor. | The robot knows when a part has arrived and its orientation. |
| Signals from the press or machine. | The robot enters the area only when the equipment is ready. |
| Light curtains and barriers | The line stops if a person enters the zone. |
| PLC and accounting system | Calculation of parts and data on line operation. |
05 Which robots do we work with?
Six-axis industrial robots with a good balance of price and performance offer a quick return on investment. Our Robot1 program allows you to control them from a computer.
Collaborative robots with built-in cameras – when humans and robots work side-by-side in a limited space.
We select a robot based on the weight of the product, reach, cycle time, and budget. We develop the program and communication with the equipment specifically for the chosen robot.
06 First, on the digital twin
Before purchasing the robot, we set up your equipment, the robot, containers, and product placement on a 3D model within the Robot1 program. This allows you to see if the robot reaches every point, how long the cycle takes, and how many products it will process per shift. You make decisions based on the data, not just visual inspection.
07 How to Calculate the Benefits for Your Property
- The number of personnel who move parts between operations, and the cost per hour of their work;
- The amount of time the line is idle due to manual handling;
- The number of injuries and stoppages at presses;
- The cost of automation: robots, grippers, communication with equipment, barriers, and setup.
The payback period is the cost of the cell, divided by the annual savings and additional output. Please provide the data – we will calculate it for free.
08 How to get started
Please send a video of the work area, photos, or drawings of the product, and the desired production rate.
We will propose a cell layout, robot, and equipment, specify the timeline and cost.
We will demonstrate the cell on a digital twin and calculate the cycle time.
Delivery, installation, programming, startup, and training for your employees.
We will come to your site and demonstrate the robot on our stand in Minsk. The use of robots may be eligible for tax benefits under Decree No. 198 – more details can be found on the page “Robotization of Production in Belarus”.
Also read: Robot for CNC machine · Robot1 — robot control · engiAI — machine vision · Production automation · Partnership
