Robotics - A new focus at productronica

Many choose to automate certain processes and integrate robots into the production process. Robots perform tasks precisely and cost-effectively and have a high level of repeat accuracy. In many cases, the tasks that they perform cannot even be performed manually, so it would not be possible to manufacture certain products without automation. As well as large industrial robots that are a common sight along industrial assembly lines, companies are increasingly relying on flexible lightweight robots for smaller tasks.

These robots can easily be moved from one work area to another to perform a multitude of tasks and they can also be easily programmed by employees using touchscreens or tablets and integrated into different production processes, regardless of location. A new human-robot collaboration makes the use of robots attractive for small and medium-sized enterprises for which fully automated production used to be too costly or unsuitable. So welcome to a new term - "colleague robot". Here, the robot serves as the worker's production assistant while the worker monitors the process and then initiates subsequent production steps.

At the same time, robots can also relieve employees of having to perform monotonous and less demanding tasks. For example, the flexible helpers can be used for pick-and-place tasks that used to be performed manually - tasks that were considered tough and physically demanding. If a robot takes over these responsibilities, the employee can focus on more demanding tasks that are less monotonous. As a result, productronica is now helping the ongoing development of robotics in the electronics manufacturing sector by making it a separate focal point. Many well-known robotics manufacturers such as Epson, Stäubli, IAI and AEB can be seen at this year's event.