A Cobot, short for collaborative robot, is a robot designed to work alongside people in industrial applications. Cobots enable flexible automation solutions and are particularly suitable for processes where people and robots are intended to operate within a shared working environment.

Conventional industrial robots are often designed for high speed, reach and payload capacity and are typically used within safeguarded robot cells. Cobots, on the other hand, are designed for collaborative applications and enable closer interaction between people and robots. Which solution is more suitable depends on the application, required performance and safety concept.

Cobots enable flexible automation of various production processes and can be particularly useful for repetitive or ergonomically demanding tasks. They can help reduce the physical workload on employees, standardize processes and increase productivity. Their flexible deployment also makes them suitable for changing production requirements.

Cobots can be used for a wide range of automation tasks. Typical applications include handling, machine tending, assembly, positioning and other repetitive manufacturing processes. The specific application depends on the payload capacity, reach, tooling, process and safety requirements.

Cobots can also be used for automated welding applications, provided that the robot, welding technology and safety concept are suitable for the specific application. A flexible robotic solution can be particularly beneficial for smaller production runs or frequently changing workpieces. In addition to robot movement, the hazards associated with the welding process must also be taken into account and appropriate safety measures implemented.

Using a Cobot does not automatically mean that protective measures are unnecessary. The required safety concept depends on the entire application, including the tooling, workpiece, speed and process. An individual risk assessment is therefore required for every robotic application to determine the necessary protective measures.

Collaborative robotic systems are designed for applications where interaction between people and robots may be possible. However, the safety of the entire application is always the key consideration. In addition to the robot itself, tools, workpieces, motion sequences and potential process hazards must also be taken into account as part of the risk assessment.

The payload capacity depends on the specific Cobot model. OTC DAIHEN offers collaborative robot models for compact and flexible automation tasks. When selecting a model, the weight of the workpiece as well as the gripper, tooling, cables and other components should be taken into account.

Important selection criteria include payload capacity, reach, working range, required tooling, cycle time and the specific task to be performed by the robot. The available space and requirements for collaboration between people and robots should also be considered. Based on these factors, the appropriate Cobot configuration can be determined for the specific production process.

Cobots can be particularly attractive for production environments where different components or smaller batch sizes need to be automated. Flexible robotic concepts allow production processes to be adapted to changing requirements while automating repetitive tasks.

In general, Cobots can also be integrated into existing production and automation systems. The specific implementation depends on the available interfaces, space, machinery, tooling and safety requirements. Before integration, the existing system and the intended process should therefore be assessed individually.

A Cobot can be a suitable choice when repetitive processes need to be automated flexibly, employees need support with ergonomically demanding tasks, or different production variants need to be handled with a single robotic solution. Whether a Cobot or a conventional industrial robot is the more economical solution should be evaluated based on the specific application, cycle time and production requirements.