March 2019

n NEWS 6 March 2019 www.drivesncontrols.com THE NUMBER OF NEW industrial robots sold in the UK fell by 15% last year compared to 2017, according to figures released by Bara, the British Automation and Robot Association. The fall follows two years of steady growth. If automotive applications are excluded, 856 industrial robots were sold in the UK last year – 13% fewer than in 2017, when 988 were sold. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the UK now has 42 industrial robots installed per 10,000 employees in non-automotive sectors of industry. That figure is less than half those of France (89) or Spain (87), and way behind the European market-leaders, Germany (on 191 robots per 10,000 manufacturing employees) and Sweden (on 180). Bara chairman Mike Wilson suggests several cultural reasons for the poor penetration of industrial robots in the UK, including: the need to achieve short-term returns; the widespread use of “low-cost” labour in the UK; a lack of investment in capital equipment; the UK attitude to risk; and perceptions about robotic automation. Although Wilson believes that robotic automation has the potential to transform the UK’s manufacturing competitiveness and productivity, he identifies several challenges, including a lack of end-user knowledge which means that users are unable to identify opportunities for robotic automation, or to produce suitable specifications. Another difficulty is that good robotic integrators are usually busy and difficult for end-users to access. To help ease this aspect of the problem, Bara has set up an integrator certification scheme with the aims of: n improving the technical capabilities of integrators, and raising their quality standards; n helping end-users to choose integrators; and n eventually, increasing the UK’s capacity for robot integration. Bara has developed the scheme in conjunction with the US-based Robotic Industries Association (RIA), with input from end-users and integrators. The scheme will help integrators to demonstrate their capabilities and to differentiate themselves from each other. It will also help end-users to find qualified integrators and to increase levels of trust, potentially leading to stronger relationships between integrators and users. The scheme will include on-site audits of integrators undertaken by experts  from the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). These will confirm the integrators’ capabilities and experience and certify best- in-industry business practices. The programme will also ensure that integrators understand robot safety standards and will test individual personnel to verify their knowledge, skills and experience. Certified robot integrators will have to demonstrate that they perform risk assessments on every system that they install in accordance with the relevant standards. AWEST MIDLANDS company believes it is the first in the UK to offer industrial robots for hire, with prices starting at £2.70 per hour. Halesowen-based Bots Automation has secured an investment of £1m to back its business model which, it says, is already popular in the US. It is offering a range of robotic arms to perform tasks such assembly, CNC machining, painting, screwing and picking- and-placing. With many UK manufacturers currently reluctant to make capital investments, Bots believes that its zero- investment scheme, with no minimum hire period, will be an attractive alternative. “Whether a customer is taking their first steps into robotics, or wishes to increase their existing automation levels, we are able to advise the most suitable way to implement the robot into the business,” says Bots Automation’s CEO, TimWarrington. “Whether you are buying or hiring, we offer training and programming upon delivery, and each robot comes with a productivity and measurement app that monitors and reports its performance. “Most clients will start out with one robot, to see how it goes,” he adds, “usually before hiring or buying multiple numbers”. In addition to industrial applications, Bots is also targeting the entertainment sector with interactive humanoid robots designed to perform functions such as delivering food and drink, gathering data, and acting as guides. The company is also developing a robot bar, which will mix and serve cocktails. https://bots.co.uk Midlands company offers robots for hire from £2.70 per hour Sales of industrial robots slumped by 15% in the UK during 2018 The number of industrial robots sold in the UK during 2018 (left axis) fell by 15% compared to 2017. The slowdown accelerated towards the end of the year. Source: Bara Bots will offer advice as well as hiring robots