New programme to pave the way for more cobots

Streamlining production, reduced costs, higher quality and job satisfaction – the benefits of implementing a collaborative robot, for example in a manufacturing company, are many. Even so, companies are hesitant to invest in a digital helping hand because they lack knowledge on the opportunities the robots can provide. The new EDOcobot initiative seeks to change that.

More efficiency, higher quality levels and less waste. These are just some of the benefits companies can experience by implementing a collaborative robot – also called a cobot.

A few weeks ago, the new programme, EDOcobot, was kicked off in Odense. A programme that aims to ensure that more companies implement cobots. The effort, which is a collaboration between Business Hub Fyn, the Danish Technological Institute, the Southern Denmark EU Office, Enterprise Europe Network, and Odense Robotics, was launched to improve companies’ robotic skills and increase the use of collaborative robots in small and medium-sized production and logistics companies.

Company growth and higher digital levels

The programme aims to enhance efficiency and productivity and generally boost digital levels in companies.

Because there are ample reasons to implement collaborative robots in production. Taasinge Elementer produces wooden elements for the construction industry and they have had great success implementing a cobot in their production. Their cobot operates with great accuracy and fills in insulation in wooden elements as well as conducts cutting and nailing tasks.

The cobot does not stop at any point and it does not need lunch or toilet breaks. The only thing it requires is an operator with whom it can “cooperate”, so that it always knows what to do.

 

“Filling the wooden elements with insulation is a time-consuming and troublesome job, and at the same time the process of handling sheet materials is heavy and not particularly ergonomic for our employees. So the robot relieves our employees and creates a much better working environment. At the same time, we are producing far more than before – with our usual five men on the production line, we now produce the work equivalent of nine men.

 

It can be a huge challenge to know where to start. That’s why I’m looking forward to seeing how the EDOcobot programme can help more companies get started on their automation journey,” says Alexander Laning, Head of Business Optimisation at Taasinge Elementer.

Alexander Laning has no doubt that the implementation of a cobot solution at Taasinge Elementer has boosted the company and opened up new opportunities for further automation, which the team plans to pursue in the coming years.

Missing out on great benefits

But although many companies in Denmark wish to automate workflows and processes like Taasinge Elementer, there are many challenges and barriers associated with realising this wish.

In a survey carried out by the Norwegian Technological Institute, almost 40 percent of companies surveyed that do not use robots today say that they simply lack knowledge about the possibilities for automation. Many companies also lack the skills.

The survey also indicates that a significant proportion of the companies are well aware they are missing out on opportunities such as streamlining their production line – simply because they do not use robots.

“The first robot is usually always the most difficult to implement. This is why we need to help more companies get started. To clarify needs and carry out specific tests with the assistance of impartial robotics specialists – before investing in equipment,” says Jacob Kortbek, Center Manager at the Danish Technological Institute.

At Business Hub, which is the lead manager of EDOcobot, it is considered a necessity that more production and logistics companies automate.

“It is not only about the individual company’s development and growth. It is about elevating a whole group of companies so that they create attractive workplaces with specialised jobs and high-quality products, ensuring the international competitiveness of Danish manufacturing companies. All in all, it means growth and welfare for Denmark – our ambitions with EDOcobot are big, says Kasper Aagaard, Head of Development, Financing and EI at Business Fyn.

 

Source: Danish Technological Institute article.

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Facts about EDOcobot

EDOcobot aims to spread the use of collaborative robots in small and medium-sized production and logistics companies in order to increase efficiency and productivity and generally enhance companies’ digital levels.

As part of the EDOcobot programme, the company’s digital maturity level (Digital Maturity Assessment – DMA) is assessed to start, as well as the company’s needs and possibilities for implementing a cobot solution.

Depending on the outcome of the DMA, the company is given the opportunity to, for example:

Test Before Invest:

Test possible solutions for your production line at our test facilities at the Danish Technological Institute

Funding:

Guidance and insight into both domestic and international financing options for your investment in collaborative robots

Network and Innovation:

Access to relevant networking and innovation events and activities, depending on your level of digital maturity.

Learn more:

• Networking and inspiration support >>
• All our various forms of support >>

EDOcobot:

EDOcobot is part of the European Digital Innovation Hub Odense (EDIH Odense) and one of more than 150 EDIHs in Europe.

EDOcobot is offered by Odense Robotics in collaboration with Business Hub Fyn (Erhvervshus Fyn), Danish Technological Institute, South Denmark EU Office (SDEO), and the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN).

EDIH Odense and EDOcobot are co-funded by the European Union and the Danish Board of Business Development. However, the views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the two. Neither can be held responsible for them.