Robotics and the Future of Paint and Coating Manufacturing
Overview: The global robotics market is rapidly expanding and the paint and coating industries are no exception. Automation is revolutionizing these industries, significantly increasing efficiency and precision. As per Statista, there were 2.4 million industrial robots in operation worldwide in 2018 which is expected to nearly quadruple by 2030, reaching 20 million. Coupled with the increasing need for human-robot collaboration, it is crucial for the industry to address robotic safety issues.
Automation in Paint and Coating Manufacturing: Automated systems have proven their efficiency and reliability in the paint and coating manufacturing industries. According to a report by the International Federation of Robotics, more than 70% of industrial robots are used in the automotive industry, many of which apply paint and coatings. Improved technology has allowed for more precise application and reduced waste of paint materials, thereby, increasing efficiency.
Robotics and Safety Certification: Robotic systems come with significant challenges, namely safety and reliability. Studies estimate that the annual cost of safety-related downtime in an automotive plant can reach 10% of the overall production cost. However, safety certification is an industry-wide pain point, as it requires extensive, often time-consuming testing. Robotic systems must prove competent in a host of scenarios and conditions for certification, a process which can seem daunting for many.
Human-Robot Collaboration in the Coatings Industry: With advancements in technology models, there's an increase in the need for effective human-robot collaboration. The global market for collaborative robots, or cobots, is expected to surge from $710 million in 2018 to $12 billion by 2025, per Barclay’s estimates. Yet, ensuring safe and uninterrupted operation of robots near humans remains a concern that industry leaders need to address.
Efficiency and Downtime in the Robotics Industry: Efficiency and reduced downtime are amongst the key merits of automation, particularly in paint and coating manufacturing. Robotic systems have to be able to react and adapt to unpredicted scenarios to avoid unnecessary e-stops or collisions.
Key Takeaways: -Automation is transforming the paint and coating industries, increasing efficiency and precision. -Robotic systems pose challenges primarily regarding safety and certification. -Ensuring safe and effective human-robot interaction is a growing requirement. -Reducing downtime and boosting efficiency are key benefits of robotic systems in several industries.
3Laws Robotics provides innovative solutions in regards to the above mentioned challenges. The company helps clients navigate the certification process, resulting in more reliable, safer robotic systems. With 3Laws Supervisor, their proprietary software built on Control Barrier Functions, a technology developed at Caltech, businesses can ease their path to certification.
3Laws technology has wide applications, evidenced by a broad range of use cases from warehouse automation to human-robot interaction. Their software's adaptable and reactive collision avoidance capabilities allow robots to function effectively in dynamic, unpredictable environments. One report points to an autonomous forklift customer achieving a 40% efficiency gain, with a 6-month payback period due to 3Laws involvement.
By providing real-time guardrails for autonomy stacks, 3Laws lets robots operate at peak capabilities whilst ensuring safe operations. A radical shift from traditional stop methods, the software adopts a proactive approach to safety. It is well-suited for multiple platforms and is compatible with popular middleware like ROS and ROS2.
Overall, 3Laws Robotics emerges as a next-generation safety solution, unlocking the full potential of robotics by providing predictive safety measures that meet stringent ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262 safety certification standards.