Pallet Conveyor Systems & The Future of the Robotics Industry

The robotics industry in America is stronger than ever, and poised to grow faster than ever.

According to the Robotics Industries Association (RIA), the North American robotics market set a new all-time record in the first half of 2016, with 14,583 robots worth $817 million ordered in the region.

“The robotics industry is thriving today as more companies of all sizes are realizing the benefits of automation,” said Jeff Burnstein, President of RIA, in a statement.

The bulk of the American robotics boom is attributed in increasing automation in the automotive industries, food and consumer goods, inspection, assembly, spot welding, general manufacturing, and more.

The Future of Robotics in the Classroom

The growth of robotics hasn’t just meant big changes in industry – it’s even begun to transform elementary education in America. The Department of Education projects growth in jobs among STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields to radically outpace other industries in the years to come, and classrooms have begun to adapt to meet these demands.

For example, one elementary classroom in Macungie, PA uses robots named Dash and Dot (simple robots designed by a company called Wonder Workshop to help teach kids) to engage students from a variety of grade levels with coding, math, creative problem solving, and teamwork.

All in all, whether you’re a manufacturer, an educator, a consumer, or a student, robotics are set to affect every one of our lives at one stage or another in years to come – and that means building up other industries to compliment and support this new reality, as well as continuing education well past grammar school.

Education Doesn’t Stop with K-12

 Since manufacturing and the role robotics plays in it is ever-changing, with advancements coming more rapidly than ever before, it’s necessary that professionals continue learning about new systems and methods throughout their careers.

It’s with that principle in mind that mk North America created this new white paper, “Optimizing Your Manufacturing: Assembly Operation Utilizing Pallet-Handling Conveyor Systems.” The white paper lays out how mk’s VersaMove pallet conveyors work, and how they can be utilized to integrate and support robotic assembly in new or existing manufacturing processes. Download the white paper (PDF) at the following link, or keep reading to learn more: http://www.mknorthamerica.com/Downloads/DownloadFile.aspx?FileID=96

The Role of Pallet Conveyors and Other Automation Systems alongside Robotics

As crucial as robots are, they only truly represent half of the automation equation.

While robots excel at performing discrete tasks such as assembly or welding, without conveyor systems to move products from one stage of the line to the next, the automation process as a whole is effectively crippled.

Pallet conveyor systems in particular offer an effective automation solution for use alongside robotics. Pallet systems use metal workpiece pallets ranging in size from about 10 inches to four feet squared, capable of carrying loads up to several hundred pounds each.

These pallets are used to carry materials and works in progress from one point of the production line to another, with sophisticated lifts, transfers, stops, and precise positioning that’s difficult or impossible with more traditional conveyor systems.

Pallet Conveyor Systems from mk North America

An official member of the Robotics Industries Association, mk North America specializes in creation conveyors and other automation systems to work with robotics in manufacturing and other industries.

mk’s VersaMove line of pallet conveyor systems in particular is built unparalleled versatility and precision in the transfer, positioning, and programming or products along a variety of production lines. Asynchronous and completely modular, the VersaMove line is ideal for integration with robotics systems in almost any industry.

To learn more about mk’s VersaMove pallet conveyor systems and other automation solutions for use or integration alongside robotics, get in touch using this online form or call (860) 769-5500.

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