How Robotics Can be Leveraged in Automotive Manufacturing

The automotive parts manufacturing and assembly operations are some of the areas where robotic applications can be leveraged.

FREMONT, CA: The automotive industry has been using robots in their assembly lines for more than 50 years for various manufacturing processes. Automobile manufacturers are now exploring the use of robotics in many other areas so that their work becomes more manageable. On the production lines, robots are more effective, consistent, scalable, and reliable. The automotive industry is currently one of the most automated supply chains in the world, and one of the most significant users of robots, due to this technology.

Every vehicle has thousands of wires and parts and getting them to where they need to be required a complicated manufacturing process. Here are a few robotic applications that are necessary for a productive assembly line:

Robotic Vision

A light industrial robotic arm with "eyes" can do more detailed work to see whatever it is doing. The laser and camera array on the robot's wrist provide immediate feedback to the computer. Since they know where a component goes, robots can now conduct proper offsetting while assembling it. Robotic vision increases the precision of door panels, windshields, and fenders mounting.

Spot and Arc Welding

Large industrial robots handle spot welding on heavy body panels with long arms and higher payload capacities. Lighter pieces, such as mounts and brackets, are welded by smaller robots. Tungsten inert gas (TIG) and metal inert gas (MIG) robotic welders can hold the torch in the same position on every cycle. Due to the repeatable arc and speed gap, maintaining high welding standards in any fabrication is possible.

Assembly

Light robotic arms assemble smaller parts like motors and pumps at high speeds in most car manufacturing plants. Robot arms perform other functions like screw driving, wheel mounting, and windshield installation.

Machine Tending and Part Transfer

Human employees are at risk when shifting metal stamps, loading and unloading CNC machines, and pouring molten metal in a foundry. Large industrial robots are ideal for this type of job. Smaller robots are also used for machine tending and loading or unloading activities in smaller manufacturing operations.

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