Collaborative Robot ROI Protects Against Future Recession

Investments in collaborative robot automation today will enable early adopting companies to avoid setbacks during an economic downturn. At a time when every purchase is scrutinized, a collaborative robot’s relatively low cost, lifespan, flexibility and productivity justify the cash outlay.

Calculating the ROI of a collaborative robot makes the decision much easier, offering a trackable benchmark and appropriate expectation. According to AutomationWorld, one manufacturer purchased three collaborative robots and saw an ROI of $195,000 in the first year alone. Once the initial cost is recouped, the payback only increases with each year of the robot’s life. (Calculate what your Universal Robots ROI could be here.) 

Task Force Tips, which makes firefighting and water delivery products, installed one UR10 and three UR5 robots because of their versatility and quick and easy setup when relocating and changing tasks. “Now it only takes about one hour per operator per shift to operate the robot, which includes laying out parts and staging the robot. That means the robot is running for 21 hours unassisted, so we’re looking at savings of just about 34 days to pay for the robot,” says Production Supervisor Cory Mack. 

"Reductions in machine tending have also contributed to increased product quality. “When our employees are not worried about keeping a machine running all the time, they have a lot more time to visually inspect the machined products. Part quality has really gone to a whole other level with the UR Robot in place, while allowing our personnel to come up with new ideas and better ways to improve our production.”