Drones and the Future of Fabricated Pipe and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing
Overview The fabrication of pipes and pipe fitting manufacturing industry continues to evolve with the integration of drones and automated technologies. Growth of the drone market itself is predicted to be around 13.8% between 2020 and 2027, showing the increasing demand for robotic assistance in various industries. Seeing potential in drones for use in the sector, about 43% of manufacturers are planning to apply advanced technologies in their operations. Drones add benefits such as increased safety, enhanced productivity, and reduced costs to the manufacturing process, making them a strategic investment for manufacturers.
Safety Enhancements Use of drones in pipe and pipe fitting fabrication significantly improves workplace safety. According to the National Safety Council, approximately 38.5% of workplace accidents in manufacturing are caused by contact with equipment. Drones, with their ability to complete dangerous tasks like inspection, fixture, and even cutting, minimize the risk of such accidents, thus augmenting safety.
Productivity Boost Beyond safety advancements, drones also up productivity levels within the industry. According to a study by American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, drones show a high potential to reduce time spent on inspection tasks by up to 96%. This time can be utilized for more creative and strategic tasks, boosting overall productivity and efficiency.
Cost Reductions The use of drones also brings significant cost savings. Analysts predict that manufacturers can save over $1 billion annually just from reducing the time spent on inspections. Since drones reduce the need for expensive traditional inspection methods, they also bring down operational costs.
Key Takeaways - Potential for Growth: The drone market is growing rapidly due to the high number of beneficial applications, increasing demand in manufacturing and other sectors. - Safety Enhancements: Drones in the handling and inspection processes reduces the risk of workplace accidents, enhancing overall safety in the pipe and fitting industry. - Productivity Boost: With drones conducting inspections, time spent on these tasks is vastly reduced, improving overall productivity and efficiency. - Cost Reductions: Utilizing drones for inspection purposes can lead to significant cost savings in operational expenditures.
3Laws Robotics 3Laws is developing advancements in robotics aimed at increasing safety and reliability. A central focus of their agenda is addressing the significant challenge of certification that robotics companies often face. Through their innovative 3Laws Supervisor software, they aim to resolve this issue by providing robust safety features, thereby easing the certification path.
This software uses Control Barrier Functions, a technology developed at Caltech. These functions enable real-time guardrails for robotic systems, ensuring they can operate at peak capabilities while maintaining safety. The software is versatile, able to work with mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators, and is also compatible with popular robotics middleware like ROS and ROS2.
Among the uses demonstrated for this technology are warehouse automation, human-robot interaction, and navigation in unpredictable environments. In each scenario, the software improves safety and efficiency, allowing for effective and safe operation that meets stringent certification requirements, such as ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262. Therefore, 3Laws Robotics presents itself as a crucial ally to the pipe and fitting fabrication industry in achieving a seamless transition to modern, safely automated processes.