Campaign to up UK robot usage gets under way
ABB has launched a campaign to encourage UK manufacturers to take a serious look at investing in robotics and automated plants.
The UK lags countries such as Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Australia and Canad. ABB estimates that by the end of 2006, only 800 new robots will have been sold into the UK by all robot suppliers, compared to 1,000 ABB units in France alone.
The campaign, which is centred on a drive to educate UK companies about the benefits of using robots, points to 10 reasons why UK firms should consider robot technology. These are:
1) Reduced labour costs
2) Improved product quality/consistent quality
3) Elimination of hazardous, heavy and/or repetitive work cycles and so improve quality
4) Increase output rate
5) Increase product flexibility
6) Reduce material waste
7) Comply with safety rules
8) Reduce labour turnover/eliminate recruitment difficulties
9) Reduce capital costs (inventory, work-in-progress, floor space)
10) Space saving
