Industrial Robots in the Era of Digitalization: Validation of Structures

Abstract

Large Scale Optimization is a very well-known concept in the context new manufacturing era. There are many applications focused on supply chain and intelligent or smart manufacturing. As part of flow optimization is substituting some workplaces with robotic structures (industrial robots, manipulators, cobots, etc.). Thus, one challenge is to get a good process design, with optimum systems use, with business impact, return of investment (from financial and human resource point of view). Another challenge is to choose the kinematic structure oriented on station's requirements. The robots are particular form of automation with significant costs that increase with the number of joints. But, in the context of Industry 4.0 revolution the use and design of robots and kinematic chain workstations it changes.