Electronics manufacturers are increasingly using robotics across production stages for their higher accuracy, repeatability, and speed.
We recently examined the role of automation technology in the electronics supply chain. Now, we’re taking a deeper look at one aspect of automation – robotics. As the manufacturing of electronics continues to increase in complexity, robotics is playing a growing role. Adrian Choy, product manager of robotics at Omron Adept Technologies, describes the role of robotics in electronics manufacturing like this:
“Robots are able to perform these jobs with higher accuracy, repeatability, and speed than human operators. This guarantees higher quality, lower scrap rates, increased part-per-minute production, and reduced risk of costly product recalls.”
While the size of electrical components and circuits continues to shrink, manufacturers are increasing their use of robotics across various stages of production. In fact, annual installations of industrial automation for the electrical and electronics industry grew 24% from 2019 to 2021, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) – making it one of the largest industries using robots. Over the next five years, electronics manufacturing is projected to continue to grow globally at a rate of nearly 12%, according to the IFR.
Benefits of Using Robotics in Electronics Manufacturing
One of the most significant advantages of using robotics in electronics manufacturing is the increased safety for workers, as robots can handle dangerous tasks that may pose a risk to human workers. Robots can also repeat the same task consistently without tiring or making errors – giving manufacturers a higher level of precision and accuracy. Additionally, automated inspections have improved the quality control of electronic parts, ensuring that defects are caught before they make it to the market. Using robotics, manufacturers can produce more units in less time, with less damage or wasted materials, especially when handling small and delicate parts.
What Kinds of Tasks Can Robots Perform in Electronics Manufacturing?
Robotic automation isn’t limited to a single production function; it can be used in almost every stage of the electronics production cycle, including material and component handling, assembly lines, product inspection, and more. Many companies in the electronics industry are seeing a renewed focus on improvements in production quality. Automation is helping improve their processes and quality while also lowering operational and production costs.
One major task often assigned to robots is handling delicate pieces. The ability to precisely place components using sensors and other technologies is key to success here, especially when humans couldn’t do the task manually or when it would take them much longer to complete the task.
Robots are also key to assembling electronics boards. They can use force sensors to ensure they apply only as much pressure as necessary when handling and fitting parts to a printed circuit board. And during the process, the robots have the benefit of high-resolution cameras that help confirm the physical features of the components.
Robots are also being deployed across inspection, testing, and packaging functions. With inspections, robots can access tight spaces with arm-mounted cameras, reducing the risk of accidental damage to the product or the inspector. For testing, robots have the ability to apply consistent measures across every test cycle. And automating packaging reduces the likelihood of damage alongside increased speed and efficiency.
The future of robotics in electronics manufacturing is collaborative – robots working alongside people, enabling companies to more quickly produce better quality parts, optimize processes, and decrease operational costs.
Read more: