Mr Eric Potter, the Managing Director of FANUC Automation, comments on energy efficiency with industrial robots.
Interest in and concern about the energy consumption of robots varies from area to area, mostly based on local energy prices, but energy efficiency is a case-by-case issue.
When it comes to impacts on nature, there are benefits to the environment, as well as a great emphasis on saving energy costs and minimizing overall operating costs. ”
However, energy consumption is a really fundamental issue in the long term, and if we don’t pay attention to energy efficiency now, it will worry us again, “he says.
If minimizing your electricity use is one of your priorities this year, there are a number of practical and basic steps you can take to optimize your automation-related electricity bills.
REDUCE THE SIZE OF YOUR ROBOT
Minimizing the size of a robot, so that it can use the smallest possible robot for the production it intends to do, will naturally save energy, “explains Potter.
According to Vecna Robotics’ Theobald, using the right robot for the job is a smart way to minimize energy costs.
SIMULATE YOUR APPLICATION
Robot Simulator allows you to create a digital twin of your automation initiative.
For example, Vecna Robotics Pivotal has a simulation module that allows end users to build a complete digital twin installation and then estimate and optimize energy consumption.
OPTIMIZE USE
Additionally, rearranging resources around the robot can help minimize power consumption.
Humans are great at solving local improvement problems, like the best way to load a truck, but they are terrible at solving universal improvement problems, like determining which human and automation resources should be involved in a specific task at a specific time.
TAKE CARE OF SPEED
Energy is wasted when robots accelerate and decelerate fairly quickly, so avoid using industrial robots at full speed at all times, says FANUC‘s Potter.
If your robot works as fast as possible, in many cases you will waste time waiting for other machines and assemblies to be completed.
For information on the robots on the website, call us and we will always be available to find the best solution for your project.