What is Low Cost Automation and what do I get for my money?
By Adriana Glazer (Rewritten by Shizu Yamaguchi)
The name “low cost automation” (LCA) says it all. By definition, this concept focuses on generating the maximum possible benefit while working with limited resources.
Complexity vs. Simplicity: A Comparison
To illustrate this, let’s look at the example of random bin picking. There are two primary ways to approach this:
- The high-complexity route: An article is detected using high-end camera systems and then grasped by a sophisticated 6-axis robot.
- The low complexity route: The same article is grasped using a slewing ring combined with a 3-axis linear robot.
The main difference between these two approaches, is that the linear robot system with the slewing ring is much less complicated, using only three axes instead of six. This makes the second route more cost-effective as well.
The simplicity and decreased cost of the latter system enables a faster Return on Investment (ROI) for the business owner. Selecting a simpler and less costly system is how igus® operates in the LCA ecosystem.
You can see this methodology in action in the following application videos:
Automation of 2C injection moulding: A lightweight robot places articles directly into the injection moulding machine.
Energy chain assembly (Delta Robot): High-speed Pick & Place process for efficient component handling.
Energy chain assembly (5-axis Articulated-arm): A robot picks out individual energy chain links with precision.
Finding Your Solution
Which low cost automation solution is right for you? It depends entirely on your needs.
