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 like 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 value varies primarily based on the mannequin and options, however with the suitable grippers, software program, and setup, a cobot can remodel your operations. Understanding the total price image helps you make an knowledgeable determination and unlocks the true worth of automation. Let’s break it down so you’ll be able to see how shortly a cobot pays for itself.
As with many merchandise, the price of cobots varies broadly. This variability will be in comparison with one thing akin to the worth of a automotive. Simply as a fundamental financial system automotive will be bought for a number of thousand {dollars}, whereas high-end luxurious fashions can price tens of 1000’s, cobots additionally are available in numerous 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 gasoline, upkeep, and a driver to function, a cobot wants extra elements to perform in an industrial setting. This results in a vital 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 essential to acknowledge that the cobot arm is just one a part of the equation. To actually 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 precise process.
Integration & Setup: Relying in your manufacturing line, it’s possible you’ll want to change present techniques (conveyors, air techniques, electrical infrastructure) to accommodate the cobot.
Software program & Programming: A cobot would possibly require customized programming to perform in your particular surroundings, or, in some instances, it’s possible you’ll want a specialised interface to assist the cobot work together together with your present techniques.
In case you’re choosing a turnkey system the place the whole lot is pre-packaged and able to go, the price of a cobot system will be fairly cheap.
Nevertheless, in case your utility requires a extra personalized answer, the fee can escalate shortly. In these instances, the price of engineering experience and the time required to create a tailor-made system can drive the full price a lot larger.
Customized Options Issues
One of many greatest elements that may improve the price of a cobot system is customized engineering. When you have a posh process that requires particular tooling or specialised modifications to your manufacturing line, you’ll must put money into engineers to design and implement the answer.
Engineering expertise, significantly these skilled with automation techniques, is in excessive demand and might come at a premium. Customized options additionally are inclined to have longer lead occasions, that means you’ll must plan forward for the potential delays in getting your system up and working. Moreover, customized techniques would possibly face reliability challenges since they typically incorporate distinctive elements that haven’t been mass-produced or completely examined over time.
That being mentioned, a customized answer could also be essential for sure duties, and in these instances, the elevated funding might yield useful enhancements in effectivity and productiveness.
Nevertheless, in case your process is comparatively easy, there are various off-the-shelf techniques that may do the job successfully, protecting prices down.
What’s the Actual Price of Automation?
When contemplating the price of a cobot system, it’s important to give attention to the full 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 contemplate to evaluate whether or not the automation challenge is definitely worth the funding.
To calculate ROI, you might want to doc the present price of working your manufacturing line or the precise process you intend to automate. This consists of the labor prices related to working the road, such because the variety of staff wanted, their hourly wages, and every other prices associated to the operation. You must also issue within the annual output of the road, each by way of income and gross revenue. It will 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 consists of the price of the cobot system itself, in addition to any collateral bills akin to line modifications, downtime, and extra infrastructure prices. You should utilize our Lean Robotics ROI calculator as a device to estimate the ROI of a cobot in your manufacturing unit ground.
The Payback Interval
Usually, corporations take 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 instances, 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 vital will increase in manufacturing output or when gross margins are excessive.
The Price of Inaction
Whereas calculating ROI is essential, producers additionally want to contemplate the price of inaction. In case you resolve to not put money into cobot automation, it’s possible you’ll 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 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 supply intangible benefits that may have a major impression on what you are promoting. These embody:
Lowered Ergonomic Dangers: Cobot techniques 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 give attention to higher-value work, which might enhance job satisfaction and morale.
Flexibility and Scalability: Cobot techniques are extremely versatile and might simply be reprogrammed for brand new duties or scaled to satisfy elevated demand. This makes them splendid for companies that must adapt shortly to altering market situations.
Enhanced Buyer Notion: Many companies discover that prospects respect seeing automation in motion, which indicators innovation and a forward-thinking method.
Able to put money into a cobot?
Talking with an skilled can present useful insights to make sure you make the suitable selections on your automation wants. Our consultants might help you assess your objectives, perceive the technical capabilities of cobots, and information you thru the method of choosing and integrating the most effective answer on your operations.
