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 an easy 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 worth varies based mostly on the mannequin and options, however with the fitting grippers, software program, and setup, a cobot can remodel your operations. Understanding the complete value image helps you make an knowledgeable resolution and unlocks the true worth of automation. Let’s break it down so you possibly can see how shortly a cobot pays for itself.
As with many merchandise, the price of cobots varies extensively. This variability could be in comparison with one thing corresponding to the value of a automotive. Simply as a fundamental economic system automotive could be bought for a couple of thousand {dollars}, whereas high-end luxurious fashions can value tens of hundreds, cobots additionally are available in varied worth 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 automotive wants gas, upkeep, and a driver to function, a cobot wants further parts to operate in an industrial setting. This results in an important second consideration: the price of your complete cobot system, not simply the arm itself.
Cobot System Prices: What’s Included?
Once you’re budgeting for automation, it’s vital to acknowledge that the cobot arm is just one a part of the equation. To actually get worth from the cobot, you’ll want further components, together with:
- Finish-Effector: That is the a part of the system that interacts with the product, corresponding to a gripper or suction cup, and its value varies relying on the particular process.
- 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 operate in your particular surroundings, or, in some circumstances, you might want a specialised interface to assist the cobot work together along with your current programs.
If you happen to’re choosing a turnkey system the place every thing is pre-packaged and able to go, the price of a cobot system could be fairly affordable.
Nevertheless, in case your software 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 full value a lot larger.
Customized Options Issues
One of many greatest elements that may improve the price of a cobot system is customized engineering. If in case you have a fancy process 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, notably these skilled with automation programs, is in excessive demand and might come at a premium. Customized options additionally are inclined 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 usually incorporate distinctive parts that haven’t been mass-produced or completely examined over time.
That being stated, a customized resolution could also be crucial for sure duties, and in these circumstances, the elevated funding might yield priceless enhancements in effectivity and productiveness.
Nevertheless, in case your process is comparatively easy, there are lots of off-the-shelf programs that may do the job successfully, holding prices down.
What’s the Actual Value of Automation?
When contemplating the price of a cobot system, it’s important to concentrate on the full value 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 contemplate to evaluate whether or not the automation venture is well worth the funding.
To calculate ROI, you should doc the present value of working your manufacturing line or the particular process 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 some other prices associated to the operation. You also needs to issue within the annual output of the road, each when it comes to income and gross revenue. This may present a baseline for evaluating the prices earlier than and after automation.
After you have the baseline, you possibly can calculate the price of automation. This contains the price of the cobot system itself, in addition to any collateral bills corresponding to line modifications, downtime, and extra infrastructure prices. You need to use our Lean Robotics ROI calculator as a software to estimate the ROI of a cobot in your manufacturing facility ground.
The Payback Interval
Sometimes, corporations have a look at the payback interval over a five-year horizon. The payback interval is the time it would take for the financial savings generated by the cobot system to equal the preliminary funding.
For instance, some producers have seen excessive ROI circumstances, corresponding 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 contemplate the price of inaction. If you happen to determine to not spend money on cobot automation, you might proceed dealing with rising 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 costlier, and also you’re much less productive than your opponents who’ve adopted automation.
In lots of industries, the stress to scale back prices and improve output is just 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 major impression on your online business. These embody:
- Decreased Ergonomic Dangers: Cobot programs can tackle repetitive, bodily demanding duties, decreasing the danger of harm on your staff and enhancing office security.
- Worker Morale & Retention: By automating repetitive duties, you permit your staff to concentrate on higher-value work, which might enhance job satisfaction and morale.
- Flexibility and Scalability: Cobot programs are extremely versatile and might simply be reprogrammed for brand spanking new duties or scaled to fulfill elevated demand. This makes them best for companies that have to adapt shortly to altering market situations.
- Enhanced Buyer Notion: Many companies discover that prospects respect seeing automation in motion, which alerts innovation and a forward-thinking method.
Able to spend money on a cobot?
Talking with an skilled can present priceless insights to make sure you make the fitting choices on your automation wants. Our specialists may help you assess your objectives, perceive the technical capabilities of cobots, and information you thru the method of choosing and integrating the perfect resolution on your operations.
