Robots rise up

Manufacturing News, Source : TheManufacturer.com
Published : 30 Jan 2004 10:53

Last year’s sales of industrial robots in the UK rose for the first time in three years, according to new figures from the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA) out today.

The Association, based at the University of Warwick, reported just over 800 units sold in 2003, up from 750 in the previous year but still one third down on the record year of 2000 when over 1200 robot units were sold into manufacturing. University of Warwick researcher and BARA head Dr Ken Young said: "Over the last four years the biggest application area for robots has become materials handling rather than spot welding. This shows that industries other than automotive are starting to realise the benefits of the technology. The greatly reduced price of robots is allowing their economic use for very simple tasks where they can work reliably and without rest. Simple four axis systems for small part assembly are now available starting at £12,000 and even six axis units capable of handling 125kg are available for only £25,000. This means that even after full integration into a cell systems are selling for between GBP 50-100,000.” The reliability of such machines was, he said, “phenomenal” with well installed robots going over five years between breakdowns.

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