For years, factories were designed as rigid systems: fixed lines, dedicated stations and layouts that barely changed for an entire decade. But the days of mass, stable production are now behind us. The new industrial economy demands flexibility, customisation and immediate responsiveness. Thus, the concept of the reconfigurable factory was born, where refurbished industrial robots are playing a decisive role by offering modular, accessible and sustainable automation.
A reconfigurable factory does not seek to produce more, but to adapt better. Its principle is simple: lines are no longer constructed, they are assembled. Each robotic cell becomes an autonomous module capable of integrating or moving according to demand. In this model, a refurbished ABB, KUKA, FANUC or Yaskawa robot is not just a machine, but an intelligent unit that can change its task, position or tool with minimal intervention.
In Germany, a metal manufacturing company implemented a system based on refurbished KUKA KR 10 robots, each mounted on mobile platforms and connected via network. When a production order requires a change of part, the robots reposition themselves and automatically update their programme. The result: a 40% reduction in reconfiguration times and zero prolonged stoppages.
Similarly, a French company assembling electrical components integrated refurbished ABB IRB 4600 robots into modular stations equipped with modern PLCs. Each cell can work independently or synchronised with others, creating flexible configurations that adapt to small batches or customised orders. This approach has reduced wasted time and improved responsiveness to market variability.
The role of refurbished robots in this new generation of factories goes beyond economic savings. Their true value lies in their integration capability. Thanks to standardised interfaces (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, OPC-UA) and updated controllers, these robots can connect to management systems (MES or ERP) and participate in Industry 4.0 ecosystems with the same efficiency as brand new equipment.
Furthermore, reconfigurable factories align automation with sustainability. Reusing existing robots reduces the need to manufacture new machinery and shortens implementation times. The environmental impact decreases and industrial plants gain agility without sacrificing precision. Modularity also makes maintenance and partial upgrades easier, avoiding massive infrastructure replacements.
In practice, a reconfigurable factory based on refurbished robotics allows you to:
- Change product without redesigning the entire line.
- Scale production by adding robotic modules as needed.
- Reduce downtime with mobile or interchangeable cells.
- Introduce new technologies gradually (3D vision, AI, digital traceability).
The vision is clear: the future of manufacturing will not be a static line, but a dynamic ecosystem of robotic modules collaborating in real time. And refurbished robots are the most intelligent entry point for this transition, combining economy, sustainability and adaptability.
At URT, we refurbish and certify ABB, KUKA, FANUC and Yaskawa robots, ready to be integrated into modular cells, flexible lines and reconfigurable factories. Each unit is delivered tested, updated and ready to become part of the new generation of adaptable automation.