Robots now cost-effective solutions for small firms

Martin Walder, md of ABB's UK robotics division, which works with other robotic and automation specialists such as AEW and RTS Flexible Systems on low-cost food and drink projects, claims the case for robotics is now compelling, even for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

"For SMEs, robotics offer significant opportunities to reduce their costs," says Walder. "Food is a big, big opportunity for robotics." Walder expects a large slice of ABB UK's future business to come from the food and drink sector.

Robotics can help to reduce overheads, he claims, while improving productivity and consistency of production. Since 1990, robot costs have almost halved, he says. "You can do a hell of a lot more with a robot now than in 1990 - and for half the price."

RTS has developed an assessment process to help uncover 'hidden profitability' in food manufacturing processes through investment in robotics and automated handling. It offers a free initial assessment and audit. This has been prompted by the findings of its 2006 'Appetite for Automation' survey of the food industry. It showed a reluctance by companies to invest in automation because of outdated assumptions about return on investment.

A further benefit of robots is the production flexibility they provide, says Walder. Most can be reprogrammed quickly to carry out different tasks.

"There is no doubt the UK has been slow in adopting robotics. In many areas there is a reluctance to use what may be regarded as advanced technology," he says. But with increasing competition from abroad and engineering skills shortages at home, there are good reasons to review such opinions, he claims.

A typical six-axis industrial robot runs at a typical hourly operating cost of just £5, says Walder. Yet according to estimates from the International Federation for Robotics, average wages in the UK in 2005 were around £10.51 an hour.

With robot usage in this country at 40 robots per 10,000 people, the UK is way behind countries such as Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Australia and Canada, says Walder. ABB estimates that only 800 new robots were sold in the UK by all robot suppliers in 2006, compared with 1,000 sold by ABB alone in France.

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