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Robotics & Workholding: A Fruitful Pairing
- Susanne Nordman
- Oct 18, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 5
One of the fastest-growing trends within manufacturing and the economy is the robotics industry.
Whether it is fully automated, possibly controlled, or even cobots, robots that collaborate with humans to fulfill a job, the growth in the industry is undeniable. And with the addition of artificial intelligence (AI), the possibilities of automation seem endless.
According to statista.com, robotics has over doubled in the past three years and is estimated to be over $200 billion by 2025 from $63.9 billion in 2018. The increase is largely due to the desire for total control and consistency within certain applications, especially in manufacturing. Robots can provide that to companies.
Because a robot can produce within certain parameters consistently, there are many benefits to pairing a robot with a human and having them work side-by-side, which is commonly known as a cobot. Pairing the capabilities of humans with the consistent precision of robots makes cobot operations seem sensible to business owners, who are trying to continually find the most economical way to maximize efficiency.
With this increase in robotics, workholding will need to adapt to the current needs.
Thankfully, that is just what workholding is good for. These robot and cobot operations often call for workholding. This need is no different than workholding being needed in most other operations throughout manufacturing history.
When looking at workholding, there are nearly endless matches that could be made throughout different industries. The ability to customize devices such as electromagnetic chucks to vacuum workholding provides the flexibility to service the wide array of applications, including automation and robotics.
Proven to work to get that consistency, the wide array of possibilities of workholding in robotics gives the user a consistent hold on the workpiece. Traditional holding concepts can be applied to innovative machining centers and automation assemblies through engineering and redesign concepts. Because of this, robotics and workholding make a fruitful pair.
Magna-Lock USA workholding can be found on many shop floors that are using automation to gain more efficiency in their machining production. Vacuum workholding for the electric vehicle industry is currently in high demand. Electromagnetic chucks have been redesigned for CNC machining centers that use robotics in the automotive industry. These are just two examples of how the workholding is nearly as important to the bottom line as the robots themselves.
Pallet changing is rapidly being incorporated with robotics in the manufacturing industry as well. The need for efficient machining, including loading and unloading, to increase profitability is critical now more than ever, as many United States manufacturers shift their focus to reshore their production and upgrade their factories.
When considering workholding for robotic machining concepts, it is imperative to thoroughly plan the assembly. Providing sample parts and transparency with the design and purpose of the automation is critical to making certain the workholding design will work fluidly with the complete assembly.
Working with a brand of workholding that has proven experience in the robotic industry can make the transition and integration a cinch. Magna-Lock USA has that proven experience. For more information on using Magna-Lock USA workholding products with robotics automation, contact our engineering team today.
Obsidian Manufacturing Industries, Inc. is a Rockford, IL, manufacturing company and is the OEM for Magna-Lock USA workholding, MagnaLift & Power-Grip lift magnets, and Arter Precision Grinding Machines, as well as providing surface grinding services. They are located at 5015 28th Ave. in Rockford, IL, with a phone number of 815-962-8700. Check out more at obsidianmfg.com/brands
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