When a producer considers implementing automation of their operations, one of many first questions that sometimes arises is: What’s the price of a cobot? At first look, this looks like a simple inquiry, however the reply is way 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 value image helps you make an knowledgeable determination and unlocks the true worth of automation. Let’s break it down so you may see how rapidly a cobot will pay for itself.
As with many merchandise, the price of cobots varies broadly. This variability could be in comparison with one thing resembling the value of a automotive. Simply as a primary 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 gasoline, upkeep, and a driver to function, a cobot wants further elements to perform in an industrial setting. This results in a vital second consideration: the price of the complete 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 really get worth from the cobot, you’ll want further parts, together with:
- Finish-Effector: That is the a part of the system that interacts with the product, resembling a gripper or suction cup, and its value varies relying on the particular activity.
- Integration & Setup: Relying in your manufacturing line, you could want to change present 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 surroundings, or, in some circumstances, you could want a specialised interface to assist the cobot work together together with your present programs.
Should you’re choosing a turnkey system the place all the things is pre-packaged and able to go, the price of a cobot system could be fairly cheap.
Nevertheless, in case your utility requires a extra custom-made answer, the fee can escalate rapidly. In these circumstances, the price of engineering experience and the time required to create a tailor-made system can drive the whole value a lot greater.
Customized Options Concerns
One of many largest components that may enhance the price of a cobot system is customized engineering. If in case you have a posh activity that requires particular tooling or specialised modifications to your manufacturing line, you’ll have to put money into 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 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 usually incorporate distinctive elements that haven’t been mass-produced or totally examined over time.
That being stated, a customized answer could also be crucial for sure duties, and in these circumstances, the elevated funding might yield beneficial enhancements in effectivity and productiveness.
Nevertheless, in case your activity is comparatively easy, there are various off-the-shelf programs that may do the job successfully, holding prices down.
What’s the Actual Price of Automation?
When contemplating the price of a cobot system, it’s important to concentrate on the whole 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, it’s good to doc the present value of working your manufacturing line or the particular activity you propose to automate. This consists of the labor prices related to operating the road, such because the variety of staff wanted, their hourly wages, and every 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. It will present a baseline for evaluating the prices earlier than and after automation.
After you have the baseline, you may calculate the price of automation. This consists of the price of the cobot system itself, in addition to any collateral bills resembling line modifications, downtime, and extra infrastructure prices. You should use our Lean Robotics ROI calculator as a instrument to estimate the ROI of a cobot in your manufacturing unit flooring.
The Payback Interval
Sometimes, firms have a look at the payback interval over a five-year horizon. The payback interval is the time it should take for the financial savings generated by the cobot system to equal the preliminary funding.
For instance, some producers have seen excessive ROI circumstances, resembling a vaccine producer who recovered a $200,000 funding in simply two months. Whereas that is an distinctive case, it illustrates the potential for fast 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. Should you determine to not put money into cobot automation, you could proceed going through 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 rivals who’ve adopted automation.
In lots of industries, the stress to cut back prices and enhance output is barely 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 affect on your online business. These embody:
- Diminished Ergonomic Dangers: Cobot programs can tackle repetitive, bodily demanding duties, lowering the danger of harm on your employees 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 very best for companies that have to adapt rapidly to altering market situations.
- Enhanced Buyer Notion: Many companies discover that prospects recognize seeing automation in motion, which alerts innovation and a forward-thinking strategy.
Able to put money into a cobot?
Talking with an skilled can present beneficial insights to make sure you make the correct selections 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 answer on your operations.
