Page 40 - EngineerIT June 2022

INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY, PRODUCTS AND INNOVATION

The advantages of robotics and simulation

imulation in robotics is an them to make errors and experiment.
innovative way that opens up new Robotic simulation has been highly effective in the automotive and food
Spossibilities of working smarter, manufacturing industries. Take baking as an example. Robotic process automation (RPA)
says Rudi von Fintel, Durban Branch is used for mixing dough and cutting out cookie shapes or creating cookie cutters. Now,
Manager at Yaskawa Southern Africa. imagine a new shape is introduced as a concept or even for a special product release.
The more complex your business is, the Through 3D simulation, a business will be able to see what it looks like and if it is possible
more room there is for innovation. At the for the machine to create the shape; instead of pushing forward with an untested process
same time, innovation cannot come at that could flop in both senses of the word.
the cost of current efficiency, quality, and It isn’t only the automotive or food manufacturing industries that are reaping
output levels. According to von Fintel, the benefits, as 3D simulation holds the power to make a significant difference in all
this is where the combination of robotics industries. In health care, for instance, a simulated program could be used for practices
and simulation software provides such as surgery, rehabilitation, or therapy. With people’s lives and wellbeing at stake, it
incredible value as a platform to test and is essential to ensure that the robotics program is not only accurate but also safe for the
experiment. patient and operator. In short, this simulation could be the differentiating factor in saving
“For many years now, robotics and changing lives.
assisted various industries in automating “The pandemic taught us that we need to be more flexible in the way we work
their processes,” von Fintel says. but to also be smarter in how we operate,” von Fintel concludes. “Using robotics and
“Simulation is equally important as it simulation opens up new possibilities and opportunities for businesses to increase their
enables businesses to test any new output and productivity, without sacrificing on quality or causing unnecessary strain on
processes in 3D before rolling them out the production line. A 3D simulation lets you iron out the processes in the digital world
in their factories.” before they’re implemented in the real one. It is an innovative way that we can turn new
As its name suggests, simulation ideas into reality.”
creates a sandbox for testing. By creating
a 3D environment, anyone is able to
program a process, see how it works, how
long it will take, and if it fits in with the
current production line. More importantly,
it takes away the guesswork or the need
to spend time and money in physically
recreating the process in a real-world
setting – which would be futile if the
process doesn’t work in the first place.
“Simulation is used to test
robotic requirements before they are
implemented to ensure that the need
is addressed and that it will work in a
situation,” von Fintel says. “Depending
on the package you use, you could build
your entire production facility in the
3D world and see a simulated version
of the factory in action.” Additionally,
simulation encourages a business to
develop new and innovative processes
since it is a safe environment that allows

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EngineerIT | June 2022 | 38