Demand for cobots set to take-off

The market for cobots with a payload of 10kg and over is expected to grow the fastest between 2018 and 2023, attributed mainly to the expected demand for relatively high payload capacity systems in the automotive, electronics and machining sectors.

The market for cobots with such a high payload capacity is evolving and is occupied by a few manufacturers. A relatively new entrant to the market is Doosan Robotics, part of the Doosan Group, which has recently appointed Leamington-based, Mills CNC as its UK and Irish distributor.

Peter McCullough, product manager for Doosan Robotics at Mills CNC says: “Cobot technology is developing at a rapid pace. Improvements in the human/machine interfaces (HMI’s) on the latest systems make them easier to use and the use of sophisticated sensor technology means that they are inherently safe.”

Assembly and pick and place applications accounted for the largest and second largest markets for cobots in 2016. This is expected to continue in the future owing to their inherent flexibility and their ability to perform a range of different operations and tasks via easy re-programming and the quick change of end effectors.

The automotive industry held the largest share of the global cobot market in 2016, and these were mainly used to perform assembly operations as well as production line pick and place, quality inspection, packaging, palletisation, machine tending and other material handling tasks.

Europe accounted for the largest share of the market in 2016 followed by APAC and North America. European market growth was driven by strong government support promoting automation and Industry 4.0 solutions in manufacturing.

Mr McCullough concludes: “We are ideally positioned to capitalise on the demand for higher payload capacity cobots. The Doosan Robotics’ range currently has two cobot systems – the M1013 and M1509 – with a payload capacity of 10kg and over.

“These cobot systems with their extensive reach capabilities (1.3m and 0.9m respectively) and torque sensors deliver high productivity and inherent safety – all at a cost-competitive price.”

Mills CNC www.millscnc.co.uk/automation-systems/collaborative-robot-solutions/