TRAVERSE CITY - People may think robots are a thing of the future, but the future is now.
“We just want them to have a better understanding of the safety and capabilities of the collaborative robot,” says Gregg Kiel Fanuc Robotics Regional Manager for Michigan.
Fanuc is a worldwide Robotic Company. They are hoping to use technology to continue to help businesses grow and be successful. They are showcasing some of their collaborative robots on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Delamar, Traverse City to educate people in northern Michigan on how robots can be used.
“We do have an issue with labor, everywhere right now. And the thing about it is robots. There’s a little bit of a fallacy. robots don’t really replace labor. most companies that install automation and robots usually end up being able to hire more people to do their jobs. the jobs that robots can’t because they’re doing applications that, the robots don’t do and need to hire more people,” explains Kiel.
Most of the robots at the demonstration did repetitive tasks which can be used on factory lines, preventing human workers from injury.
“Repetitive tasks, are taxing on the body. So physical therapy over time, if you’re doing the same thing over and over and over. So, with a robot in place, we can have that individual take on a more complex role of servicing and maintaining the robot and making sure that it’s functioning properly,” shares Steve Doud, Fanuc Engineer.
Most people think robots work on their own, but there needs to be a human present to guide it.
“It’s intended for an operator to stand next to it, provide parts, collect parts. And, it’s got safety rated talk sensors at every single joint. So, if we touch the robot, it does stop if it comes in contact with us. In this case, it’s looking for lanyards. So as individuals walk up, they put their hand where this place hand. It recognizes that the hand is there and it moves into position,” says Doud.
Bradley Cooper from Star Cutter Elk Rapids Engineering explains why automation is beneficial to our area.
“Northern Michigan is always difficult when it comes to, you know, engineering and hire, skilled trades and different things like that. So, the more technology that we can offer, organizations for to help with, the labor shortages and labor gaps, it’s certainly, obviously a benefit to, you know, manufacturing companies,” he says.
Anyone is welcome to join Fanuc at the Delamar on Wednesday to learn about robots.
“I think, automation isn’t going away. It’s only going to get stronger. Especially with, you know, the, the rise in AI and different things like that. They’re only going to work together to make, processes more streamlined, efficient and, ultimately cheaper for consumers, and different things like that,” says Cooper.
