THE AUSTRALIAN COBOTICS CENTRE

THE AUSTRALIAN COBOTICS CENTRE: FOR A SAFER, MORE EFFICIENT, COMPETITIVE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

The Australian Cobotics Centre is a collaboration between researchers and industry, funded by the Australian Research Council. The Centre aims to increase the use of collaborative robots (cobots) in manufacturing.

A cobot is a robot that works with people in a shared workspace. Although the use of robots of fully automated production is well known within manufacturing, cobots remain relatively underused, despite the benefits they bring, especially for small businesses (who will win on process innovation and lower costs), manufacturing workers (whose jobs will become safer and higher-skilled), and the economy (through the growth of jobs and exports).

As a proud partner of the Australian Cobotics Centre, Weld Australia is working with their team to find solutions to some of the key challenges facing our members (including labour shortages and safety of workers), and to understand how we can increase adoption of cobots and other technology.

The Centre’s research programs address both the technological advances and the human and design factors that need to be considered when adopting collaborative robotics.

Through their research projects, the Centre can provide solutions to the above challenges and is seeking partners to work with. The Centre needs examples to test and validate research outcomes in areas like:

• Advanced cobotic welding

• Understanding skills and training needs for new ‘hybrid’ welders working with cobots

• Quality assurance and compliance of cobotic welding

Being part of these projects gives your organisation a competitive edge and allows you to be at the forefront of technological innovation, without the significant financial investment usually required.

The Benefits of Cobots

Cobots are specifically designed to share the work space with human beings, making automation easier for businesses of all sizes, particularly SMEs. Cobots are generally versatile, lightweight, require relatively little space, and are much easier to program than their industrial counterparts. They can also capture large volumes of data that can be deployed in areas such as predictive maintenance. Just some of the benefits delivered by cobots include:

• Improved productivity and profitability

• Superior quality and repeatability

• Growth in domestic and export markets for SMEs

• Safer working conditions

• Greater job satisfaction

FREE WEBINAR: COBOTS IN THE AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

Weld Australia’s Advanced Manufacturing Industry Network will host a free webinar in conjunction with the Australian Cobotic Centre on Tuesday 25 July. The webinar will delve into topics like how cobots work, the benefits they can deliver, how to train staff in their use, and integration of cobots throughout the Australian manufacturing industry.

Event Details

• Date: Tuesday 25 July

• Time: 10am to 12 noon

• Location: Online via Teams

To register contact Cornelis Van Niekerk (Business Manager, Defence Welding, Weld Australia) via c.vanniekerk@weldaustralia. com.au