14.09.2023

Entry into automation with robots for small and medium-sized companies

KMU

According to the pertinent statistics, the percentage of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that use robots to automate their processes is well into single figures (3% according to the Federal Statistical Office in 2022).

There has been much research and speculation in the past about the reasons for this – and there are certainly many. First and foremost, concerns about the perceived complexity and a lack of expertise are probably factors that impair the decision to enter the world of automation. What is available on the market is simply too confusing for beginners. A constant stream of new suppliers and the many different types of robots (industrial robots, cobots, low-cost robots, etc.) make the options even more confusing for newcomers. Furthermore, some robot suppliers give the impression that it’s child’s play to start with a do-it-yourself process, while others offer highly complex end-to-end systems for high-end series production.

The use of automation and robotics can relieve some of the biggest challenges facing production companies, both now and in the future.


These include:

  • Shortages of (skilled) labour
  • Humanisation
  • Ensuring or improving product quality
  • Rationalisation and savings: saving on employee costs, better use of production facilities, economical and local production and the associated competitiveness
    Replacement of old production facilities to ensure supply capability
What is the best way to get started with automation?

First of all, don't start with the most complicated tasks. As a beginner you should start with standardized processes in the production sequence where the number of variants is as low as possible.

Simple applications such as machine loading, pick and place processes, material handling and palletizing tasks should be the areas you look at first. If you need to procure an end-to-end solution from an automation expert, we advise that the first step should be to take a tour of your own production facility together, without prejudging the outcome, during which the expert can identify the most suitable processes.

You can then select a project from among the applications that have been identified, for which the automation provider develops and offers a concept. Our advice is that SMEs should not want to take too many constraints into consideration in the first step, because these will make the Automation Solution expensive and complicated. Initially, the focus is on part variants that are regularly produced in large quantities and on absolutely essential processes. With the more exotic variants, and smaller and rarer series, check whether these can continue to be processed manually for the time being – but take them into consideration already now with a view to integration later. The first step is about establishing a simple and smooth-running system that the operating personnel can handle proficiently. Bringing in a system based on these factors usually pays off within the first year.

At the same time, you should investigate and prepare for financing your solution. Are there existing funding opportunities? Future-proof investments such as robot automation are supported by a wide range of federal and/or state funding program and often have names that include the word “digital”, with funding rates usually ranging from 10-50%. Investments in Robotics Automation and digitization are usually well received in discussions with banks and financing service providers. Going in with a well-presented initial quote that includes a concept and an initial profitability calculation/ROI estimate will also be helpful.

Once the system has been running for some time, the operating employees are comfortable with it and the company’s own knowledge of robotics has increased, the automation can be expanded to include further variants or additional processes and you can undertake subsequent projects.

In principle, you should also ask yourself how much knowledge should be built up in your own company. At EGS Automation, we always hand over a new system with detailed operator training. This enables the customer to operate the system, retool it and react to process-related problems. A good automation solution includes functions such as empty/dry run, full/wet run, automatically monitored return to home position run, soft start after stop and many more. These facilitate handling of the system for the operator. And it is exactly in this aspect where the solution offered by an automation professional with years of experience often stands out from that of the newcomer to the market.
In addition, we are also happy to support our customers with advanced training and Robot Programming courses.

The remote maintenance connection is now a standard feature that makes it possible to quickly rectify minor faults and support operating personnel entirely remotely. This means that the service technician can support the operating personnel from a remote location, which translates into considerable time and cost savings. For this service, we offer all stages of expansion for integration into existing customer networks and systems with our digital brand nexofox.