Danke schön Mr. Roboto

The song Mr. Roboto was released by the band Styx in 1983 – and the famous line of Dōmo arigatō, Mr. Roboto could not ring truer 40 years later. The overarching theme at nearly every stand during EMO Hanover 2023 was how implementing automation and robotics is the answer to addressing the lack of skilled workers.

A clear focus of the exhibits at EMO Hanover were robotics, yet a new angle on this was the fact it’s no longer necessary to have automation/robotics programming skills to get collaborative robots (cobots) up and running. No matter the application – loading, unloading, quality control, washing, or connections to measuring/inspection devices – cobots are answering the demands as they’re fitted with sensors mimicking a human’s sense of touch.

One of the many displays highlighting automation was the HAIMER Automation Cube One, which shrinks a tool in and out in 60 seconds, measures it, transfers that data to the machine and database. This robotic cell incorporates a Siemens Sinumerik One CNC control, and at the show, the new DMG MORI automated guided vehicle (AGV) – the AMR 2000 was shown, simulating how the Automation Cube One can supply machines with needed tools while being completely unmanned.

DMG MORI’s exhibit focused on addressing efficient and sustainable manufacturing with Manufacturing Transformation (MX): a holistic approach to manufacturing combining the four pillars of Process Integration, Automation, Digital Transformation (DX), and Green Transformation (GX). The exhibit – which encompassed all of Hall 2 – focused on the theme of manufacturing of the future, so in addition to a vast array of machines they showed the new AMR 2000 and PH Cell 800 – both world premiers.

FANUC’s stand at EMO – filled with traditional yellow robots – also displayed an array of the CR and CRX series of green & white cobots, which are not yellow to be obvious to workers that it’s a cobot and doesn’t require fencing. Offering from 4kg to 50kg payload capability and reach from 550mm to 1,889mm, the series can handle assembly; grinding & deburring; part handling; machine tending; part inspection & testing; picking, packing, & palletizing; sanding & polishing; screwing; sealing & dispensing; and welding, just to name a few tasks.

Key with the continued advancement of cobots is the ability for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) – think the mom & pop job shops – to affordably implement automation to address repetitive tasks or lack of workers, as most cobots can be delivered and are up and running without any outside assistance. With the FANUC cobots, its Tablet Teach Pendant is designed for intuitive programming on a large touchscreen while additional drag & drop functionality results in programming an application within minutes. For easier use, the cobot can be taught without programming knowledge. By leading the cobot through paths and points, users teach the FANUC cobot through hand guidance that’s comfortable and intuitive.

With automation discussed at nearly every stand throughout EMO Hanover it was a preview for what attendees will get to see next September at IMTS 2024 – I can’t wait to see the advancements that will happen between now and then.