7 Key Robot Applications in Automotive Manufacturing (Part 2)

Robots have more or less been in car factories for many years. They perform tasks such as assembling parts, completing welds or painting cars. Meanwhile, people still play an important role in completing a car.

With super-luxury cars, the need for meticulous crafting process, human role is more and more bold. However, with the development of science and technology, the role of robots in the field of automobile manufacturing is increasingly being emphasized, and as a result, now most of the work in the production process is due to perform.

In this section, we will continue to explore 3 other applications of robots in the automotive industry.

4) Painting, sealing and coating
An automotive painter’s job is not easy, and it’s very toxic to boot. Labor shortages are also making it harder to find skilled, professional painters.

Robotic arms can fill in the void because the job entails consistency for each coat of paint. Robots can follow a programmed path, consistently covering large areas and limiting waste. Machines are also useful for spraying adhesives, sealants, and primers.

5) Machine tending and part transfer
Transferring metal stamps, loading and unloading CNC machines, and pouring molten metal in a foundry is dangerous for human workers. This type of work is perfect for large industrial robots. Machine tending and loading/unloading tasks are also being done by smaller cobots for smaller manufacturing operations.

6) Materials removal
Robots can follow a complex path multiple times without failing, making it the perfect tool for cutting and trimming jobs. Light robots with force-sensing technology are better-suited to this type of work. Tasks include trimming flash from plastic moldings, polishing molds, and cutting fabric.

7) Internal logistics
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and other automated vehicles, such as forklifts, can be used in a factory setting to move raw materials and other parts from storage areas to the factory floor. In Spain, for example, the Ford Motor Co. recently adopted AMRs from Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) to deliver industrial and welding materials to various robot stations on the factory floor, replacing a manual process.

Source: Robotics Business Review