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Businesses are constantly seeking ways to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and stay competitive. Robotic automation is emerging as a key investment that can help manufacturers achieve these goals. However, deciding whether automation is the right move for your operation requires a thorough understanding of its potential benefits and a well-constructed justification process. Why Consider Robotic Automation?Traditionally, the primary drivers for automation were reducing labor costs and str …

As the manufacturing and warehousing industries face a growing labor shortage, the pressure to optimize operations has never been greater. According to recent research by IDC, 73% of manufacturers are increasing hourly wages to attract and retain talent. Yet, this approach offers only a temporary solution to a deeper, more systemic issue. The workforce is aging, and many young professionals are reluctant to pursue careers in manufacturing, leading to underutilized equipment and facilities that s …

Within an expansive 816,000-square-foot facility, New England Confectionery Co. (NECCO) in Revere, MA, engages in the production of a diverse range of treats, including renowned candy wafers, chocolate bars, thin chocolate mints, and private-label brands. Among its popular offerings are Valentine's Day candies known as Sweethearts Conversation Hearts.The production of Sweethearts candies exceeds 8 billion annually, with manufacturing taking place from late February to mid-January of the followin …

In the past 20 years, properly programming an industrial robotic or motion control solution required a well-trained person. During this time, robot and motion control vendors would pop up to brag about how much easier it was to program their products with the addition of setup wizards, the transition to IEC61131, or something else. Although these enhancements have made customers' and support engineers' lives easier, none of them offered an out of the box solution that could be used by someone wi …

When choosing between a collaborative robot and a traditional industrial robot, one must consider all aspects of the application. No one solution is better for all applications.Advantages and Disadvantages of Robot TypesCobots offer increased safety and ease of use while traditional robots come with higher speeds and payloads. Cobots use little to no safety cage guarding while traditional robots nearly always do. One advantage of collaborative robots is the availability of integrated force contr …