Suitability analysis of using industrial robots in manufacturing

Manufacturing industry robotization is spreading into wider range of processes. Determination if robotization is suitable for the company is one of the most critical issues before selecting industrial robot and designing the robot cell. A survey was carried out among Estonian small and medium sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) for this study to determine the utilization of industrial robot (IR) in the industry. More specific study of production unit was conducted, using gathered information, to estimate how the objectives of the production cell design were achieved. The aim of the present scientific work is to map the knowledge whether robotization is suitable or not for the company or working processes and to appoint parameters obtained after using the robot cell for practical manufacturing processes. The study results comprise the suitability assessment method with the set of criteria and key performance indicators (KPIs), that best describe implemented production unit profitability and help SMEs to gain additional economic-technical information for future robot-based unit development.