Quantifying Productivity Gains with Collaborative Robots in a Simulated Manufacturing Assembly Operations

This research focuses on the efficiency and productivity benefits of integrating collaborative robots (cobots) in agile manufacturing, particularly in reducing downtime during frequent product changeovers. The current study methodically compares the output of manual assembly tasks to those assisted by a FANUC CRX10iA cobot, equipped with gripper and screwdriving end effectors. The cobot's involvement in tasks such as gripping, repositioning, and precision screw driving is found to significantly boost operational efficiency and minimize downtime. The study presents a detailed analysis of productivity data, comparing manual operations to cobot-assisted ones, and highlights the enhancement in performance metrics. It emphasizes the contribution of cobots in streamlining processes and reducing downtime, which is crucial for operational efficiency. The research sets a benchmark for cobot adoption in small and medium-sized manufacturing systems, centering on the core objective of improving operational efficiency and productivity through advanced human-robot collaboration. The findings aim to guide future cobot programming and deployment strategies, fostering an environment where human and robot collaboration enhances overall productivity in the manufacturing sector.