When a producer considers implementing automation of their operations, one of many first questions that usually arises is: What’s the price of a cobot? At first look, this looks as if a simple inquiry, however the reply is much from easy. Including a cobot to your manufacturing line isn’t simply an expense—it’s a strategic funding in effectivity, consistency, and long-term financial savings.
The value varies primarily based on the mannequin and options, however with the correct grippers, software program, and setup, a cobot can rework your operations. Understanding the complete price image helps you make an knowledgeable choice and unlocks the true worth of automation. Let’s break it down so you’ll be able to see how shortly a cobot will pay for itself.
As with many merchandise, the price of cobots varies extensively. This variability may be in comparison with one thing akin to the worth of a automobile. Simply as a fundamental financial system automobile may be bought for a number of thousand {dollars}, whereas high-end luxurious fashions can price tens of hundreds, cobots additionally are available numerous value factors.
Typically talking, the price of a cobot arm can vary from as little as $15,000 for an entry-level Chinese language-made mannequin to upwards of $60,000 for top-of-the-line, high-quality fashions that boast superior reliability and superior options.
Nevertheless, a cobot arm by itself doesn’t do a lot. Simply as a automobile wants gasoline, upkeep, and a driver to function, a cobot wants extra elements to perform in an industrial setting. This results in an important second consideration: the price of all the cobot system, not simply the arm itself.
Cobot System Prices: What’s Included?
While you’re budgeting for automation, it’s vital to acknowledge that the cobot arm is just one a part of the equation. To really get worth from the cobot, you’ll want extra parts, together with:
- Finish-Effector: That is the a part of the system that interacts with the product, akin to a gripper or suction cup, and its price varies relying on the particular job.
- Integration & Setup: Relying in your manufacturing line, you might want to switch current programs (conveyors, air programs, electrical infrastructure) to accommodate the cobot.
- Software program & Programming: A cobot would possibly require customized programming to perform in your particular atmosphere, or, in some circumstances, you might want a specialised interface to assist the cobot work together together with your current programs.
If you happen to’re choosing a turnkey system the place all the things is pre-packaged and able to go, the price of a cobot system may be fairly affordable.
Nevertheless, in case your utility requires a extra custom-made resolution, the associated fee can escalate shortly. In these circumstances, the price of engineering experience and the time required to create a tailor-made system can drive the overall price a lot greater.
Customized Options Concerns
One of many largest components that may enhance the price of a cobot system is customized engineering. When you have a fancy job that requires particular tooling or specialised modifications to your manufacturing line, you’ll have to spend money on engineers to design and implement the answer.
Engineering expertise, significantly these skilled with automation programs, is in excessive demand and may come at a premium. Customized options additionally are likely to have longer lead instances, which means you’ll have to plan forward for the potential delays in getting your system up and operating. Moreover, customized programs would possibly face reliability challenges since they typically incorporate distinctive elements that haven’t been mass-produced or completely examined over time.
That being stated, a customized resolution could also be needed for sure duties, and in these circumstances, the elevated funding may yield priceless enhancements in effectivity and productiveness.
Nevertheless, in case your job is comparatively easy, there are various off-the-shelf programs that may do the job successfully, preserving prices down.
What’s the Actual Value of Automation?
When contemplating the price of a cobot system, it’s important to deal with the overall price of automation, which incorporates each the preliminary funding and ongoing operational bills. That is the place the idea of Return on Funding (ROI) comes into play. ROI is the important thing metric that producers want to think about to evaluate whether or not the automation mission is well worth the funding.
To calculate ROI, it’s good to doc the present price of working your manufacturing line or the particular job you intend to automate. This contains the labor prices related to operating the road, such because the variety of staff wanted, their hourly wages, and another prices associated to the operation. You must also issue within the annual output of the road, each by way of income and gross revenue. This can present a baseline for evaluating the prices earlier than and after automation.
After you have the baseline, you’ll be able to calculate the price of automation. This contains the price of the cobot system itself, in addition to any collateral bills akin to line modifications, downtime, and extra infrastructure prices. You should use our Lean Robotics ROI calculator as a software to estimate the ROI of a cobot in your manufacturing facility flooring.
The Payback Interval
Usually, firms have a look at the payback interval over a five-year horizon. The payback interval is the time it can take for the financial savings generated by the cobot system to equal the preliminary funding.
For instance, some producers have seen excessive ROI circumstances, akin to a vaccine producer who recovered a $200,000 funding in simply two months. Whereas that is an distinctive case, it illustrates the potential for speedy returns when the system allows important will increase in manufacturing output or when gross margins are excessive.
The Value of Inaction
Whereas calculating ROI is vital, producers additionally want to think about the price of inaction. If you happen to resolve to not spend money on cobot automation, you might proceed dealing with growing labor prices, rising manufacturing prices, and potential challenges with assembly buyer demand. The price of not automating can eat into your margins over time as labor turns into dearer, and also you’re much less productive than your rivals who’ve adopted automation.
In lots of industries, the strain to cut back prices and enhance output is simply rising. As labor shortages and financial challenges persist, the choice to automate turns into extra pressing. By investing in cobots now, you’re securing your future competitiveness in an more and more automated world.
The Hidden Advantages of Cobot Automation
Past the plain monetary advantages, cobots additionally provide intangible benefits that may have a big influence on your online business. These embrace:
- Diminished Ergonomic Dangers: Cobot programs can tackle repetitive, bodily demanding duties, lowering the danger of damage on your employees and bettering office security.
- Worker Morale & Retention: By automating repetitive duties, you enable your staff to deal with higher-value work, which might enhance job satisfaction and morale.
- Flexibility and Scalability: Cobot programs are extremely versatile and may simply be reprogrammed for brand new duties or scaled to fulfill elevated demand. This makes them preferrred for companies that have to adapt shortly to altering market situations.
- Enhanced Buyer Notion: Many companies discover that clients admire seeing automation in motion, which indicators innovation and a forward-thinking strategy.
Able to spend money on a cobot?
Talking with an skilled can present priceless insights to make sure you make the correct choices on your automation wants. Our specialists may help you assess your targets, perceive the technical capabilities of cobots, and information you thru the method of choosing and integrating the perfect resolution on your operations.
