driving force of accelerating cobot automation in Japan

Computer literacy and upskilling of employees in other countries have helped encourage the use of cobots. Japan has a strong record in mechanics and control systems, but IT skills are also improving

more broadly – ​​trends that are likely to drive the use of cobots. This is also where Universal Robots and partners can help. Giken’s iCOM integrator for example does more than just remove barriers to cobot automation from palletizing

d las, it also functions as a UR certified training center and focuses on lowering system development costs by helping users build their own robotic systems.

Tsuyoshi Yamane, General Manager for Japan at Universal Robots, said companies introducing cobot technology typically share several key features: “Many are concerned or are already facing workforce shortages and they all make management decisions based on a long-term perspective in order to stay competitive. They see the value of bringing cobots to work with people and they usually want to automate non-ergonomic tasks to create a more comfortable workplace for employees.”

Building cobot-resistant manufacturing systems

Fujita Works, which specializes in high-precision sheet metal work, successfully divides the welding process into pre-welding and permanent welding, with pre-welding performed by workers and permanent welding work carried out by robots. It used to take more than three years to master welding, but with the introduction of the UR cobot, even young workers can master welding techniques in months. Ms. Emi Wakita, a welder at Fujita Works, said, “Being a welder has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I am very happy because now I can not only do it manually, but also with a robot. .” Fujita Works has also automated the feeding of workpieces into the press brake processing machine, increasing work efficiency, reducing workers’ physical burden, and increasing job satisfaction.

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