automatica: Info for robotics beginners
On Tuesday, the automatica starts with really many innovations, so that a visit is worthwhile. Especially also for (smaller) companies that are flirting with robotics but don't quite know how yet. If you are a decision maker and have had less to do with robotics so far, bringing along a younger person would be an option. Someone who is simply more familiar with apps and perhaps sensor technology. After all, a turnkey solution is only available for standard applications like screwing, welding, etc. If it becomes something more unusual, imagination is quickly required and the quick assessment of whether individual parameters could fit together is desirable.
Below is some info. There are some knockout criticisms with robots: Too low payload (keep in mind, the payload of a robot is understood without gripper), the reach, maybe the articulation (if space is limited, 6-axis may be too little, then 7-axis is needed), the speed and maybe the IP class.
Cobots are intended to work directly with humans. However, this rarely happens in practice. The reason is safety: If a cobot moves as fast as a human, the latter can be endangered in a collision. But if their speed is adapted to safety (reduced), the human colleague has to wait, so that it is often uninteresting (unless the employee is doing something more complicated in the meantime). Therefore, in the end, cobots often work alone, but without enclosure and then also faster.
As a general rule, the application, i.e. the suitable gripper/optics, is more important than the robot. The latter is sometimes easier to replace. An exception could be "MAIRA" from Neura Robotics, as it also accepts voice commands and more and thus already covers other functions (programming) to some extent.
Not all manufacturers offer documentation etc. in German. If this is a criterion, please ask.
It's good to know that logistics and AK providers are also exhibiting. For an SME, this would perhaps only be the next step, unless there are already concrete preferences.
Prices: List prices for robots & accessories are available very extensively on the Unchained Robotics platform. The company is part of the "Start-up Arena" in Hall B 4.
The exact stand locations are available here.
Hall B 4: Robot supplier
Perhaps the most robot manufacturers are gathered in this hall. In addition, interesting accessory suppliers. A visit to this hall is certainly a must. For two reasons alone: Universal Robots, the world market leader, is exhibiting. For robotics beginners: Silver Cobot with blue caps. And Universal Robots will be exhibiting something "big new".
At the very large booth of Neura Robotics, the first cognitive robot can be seen (can be instructed intuitively, even by speech) as well as much more. The "more" also includes Opdra, the first software that can be used to automate very old machines just as easily as modern ones: A normal camera looks at the monitor and reads it like a machine operator. The rest is instructions to a robot. So Neura Robotics is also a "must" - I can often be found there, as I was and am involved in the development of Opdra.
Cobot manufacturers also represented in the hall with news are Agile Robots (but limited payload and heavily AI-driven) and Techman. Techman is also distributed by Omron. These are robots, on the market for many years, with their own optical support. The new S-series will be presented in Munich.
Also on show for the first time will be Franka Emika's new Cobot, also in this hall. It is easy to operate, but only has a payload of 3 kg. Whoever can get by with that, take a look. Because Franka Emika is particularly articulated, cheap and has good integrators. Another new cobot is presented by the Swiss company F&P Robotics. Certainly a good robot, up to 5 kg payload, but not so well known yet.
More interesting for SMEs might be the visit of Kassow Robots. This is a Danish manufacturer that has recently become a majority shareholder of Bosch-Rexroth. It already has 5 cobots that cover everything in terms of payload and reach and are particularly mobile thanks to the seventh axis. But they cost a bit more than the cobots from the market leader. If you are planning more intensive use, Kassow Robots is the right choice.
Doosan, a manufacturer from Korea, has even more cobots on offer. It has various integrators in Germany. ELITE Robots from China, on the other hand, still lacks integrators. However, their cobots are very inexpensive and are already widespread in their home country.
The last cobot supplier in the hall to be mentioned is Rethink Robotics. They are part of the exhibitor United Robotics Group. Rethink Robotics is a pioneer with a good market share, but perhaps has the problem that new models are being introduced so slowly (probably at Motek). The current Sawyer model may then be taken off the market. If you don't have a problem with this and the limited payload of 4 kg, you're welcome! Thanks to the 7 axes, it is mobile and, incidentally, easy to program.
Fruitcore Robotics does not offer cobots, but very easy-to-program, but also rather bulky industrial robots at a very low price. RobCo also does not offer cobots. The special feature: Their lightweight robots are modularly interchangeable by anyone. This offers the customer the possibility to use as many variants (payload/range) as possible when buying all modules and for the manufacturer this enables interesting rental models. If a customer returns his configuration, it can easily be changed and given to another customer. At RobCo the renting of robots is possible from approx. 1.200 €/ month.
Hall B 4: Periphery
A robot always needs a gripper, i.e. a tool to perform its activity. This depends on the material of the part to be handled as well as the desired activity. Pliers, fingers, suction cups, magnets, etc. are suitable for lifting. However, there are also activities such as gluing or grinding/polishing where the robot does not move the part at all. The same applies to optical inspection. An important supplier in this field is Robotiq. The Canadian company is also exhibiting in this hall. Its larger competitor OnRobot is also exhibiting in the hall.
Software: Here there are three important software providers in B 4, some of which make a solution possible in the first place (see also Opdra above). It is important here: Not every software is compatible with every robot! If you are already fixed on one robot, this can be a knock-out criterion. The same applies here, that everything is always compatible to Universal Robots, the market leader. To enable automation only by means of special software applies especially to micropsi. The prime example here is cables, which are usually not arranged in the same way. I.e. a classical programming would not allow serial processing here. micropsi recognizes these variances and takes them into account.
ArtiMinds significantly simplifies complex programming, even of industrial robots. In this way, the software helps to save money and increase flexibility. robominds has specialized in gripping by means of optical support - keyword bin picking. The solutions, which are especially intended for logistics, are not entirely inexpensive. Gestalt Robotics offers sophisticated solutions based on AI and optical recognition. SMEs are not part of the target group.
LinRob presents a highly interesting niche product: A rail system that allows robots to be moved with high precision even over longer distances. The system can also be mounted on the ceiling so that the cobots can only be used at night, for example, without having to modify the workstation.
In addition to the companies mentioned above, numerous others are exhibiting. The majority of these companies are either active in logistics or are startups. Just have a look! There are also joint stands for companies (startups) from the Netherlands and Denmark.
Hall B 5
In dieser Halle geht es vorrangig um die Industrierobotik. D.h. um Roboter, die sehr schnell sind, aber nicht dafür gedacht sind mit dem Menschen zusammenzuarbeiten. Für den Mittelständler sind die meisten Aussteller daher nur bei größeren Stückzahlen von Interesse. Aber auch hier gibt es Ausnahmen. Denn klassische Industrieroboter-Anbieter wie ABB gehen immer mehr in Richtung Cobots. Omron aus Japan vertreibt auch Techman, mobile Roboter und bietet zudem Scara- und Delta-Roboter an. Hierbei handelt es sich um Roboter, die sehr schnell greifen können und daher ideal zum Verpacken etc sind. Allerdings ist ihre Tragkraft begrenzt, was bei typischen Anwendungsfällen mit bis zu 100 Picks/ Minute (z.B. Kosmetik, Lebensmittel) aber kein Nachteil ist. Generell: Wer derartige Aufgaben zu lösen hat (hohe Stückzahl, wiederkehrend, Gewicht < 2 kg) ist in der Halle bestens aufgehoben.
It will be exciting to see whether the Japanese robot manufacturer Denso will show its first full-size cobots here. So far, it has only had one of the smallest cobots, the Cobotta - ideal for laboratories. Anyone who needs a super-small but high-precision industrial robot should visit Mecademic.
Otherwise, there are a lot of "specialists" in the hall who show what is possible: a lot. Robots can, for example, drive at full speed until a human approaches them. Humans can be detected by radar (Inspect) or laser (Sick). Robots can be programmed either by demonstrating, but then they cannot work during this time, or by importing CAD data while they are working. CENIT helps with the latter approach.
There are also many optical solution providers in the hall.
Hall B 6
A visit to this hall is important for all "welders". Fronius and Demmeler are exhibiting in it. For those who simply want to program the robot the welding paths or other things, the Tracepen from Wandelbots is available. Wandelbots is a leader in the field of no-code programming. That is, programming by demonstration.
Also in this hall, FANUC, the world market leader in industrial robotics, will be exhibiting. A few weeks ago, it launched a Cobot series on the market. With its help, it also wants to become the market leader in collaborative robots. Its CRX series offers almost every common reach and payload and has several advantages.
Yaskawa is another major industrial and cobot supplier represented.
One particular provider is the startup Coboworx: It has developed a simple (inexpensive) but powerful robot that is currently offered for palletizing and can lift up to 30 kg here. Other areas of application will follow. Coboworx also offers rental variants.
The other exhibitors are target suppliers for the robotics industry or specialists, not immediately relevant for SMEs. After HWIN presented its robot ballet again at the Hannover Messe, it should also be on display in Munich.
Hall A 4
This hall offers two particularly interesting exhibitors: igus with its low-cost robotics, for example, has a "Cobot"on offer for €5,000. Right next to igus, roboception is exhibiting. The company offers sophisticated optical solutions and is worth a visit. Kuka, on the other hand, needs no introduction. Oechsler offers a clever solution: A protective skin from the 3D printer that protects people when touched and is resistant. Thanks to its individuality, the protective skin can envelop the entire application.
Hall A 5
With the companies Schunk, Piab, Zimmer, Weiss and Schmalz, several important gripper manufacturers are exhibiting. Weiss is perhaps less well known. The company is known for particularly fast opening of the grippers as well as their individual adjustment options. In addition to automation accessories, FESTO is already expected to present its first Cobot in the hall, which will be delivered in 2023.
If you want to cover distances of a few meters with your cobot, Rollon can help.
Hall A 6
Many automation specialists with individual solutions are gathered in the hall.
Are we networking? LinkedIn
-> To the Cobot group on LinkedIn (Link) .
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The author of this blog is significantly involved in the AI/robotics project Opdra. He advises on almost all issues related to robotics incl funding/subsidies. More about him can be found here.