Optimization of robotic workplaces

Robotic workplaces are now commonplace and not just in modern automotive companies. Robots help to reduce the cycle time of assembly lines and enhance quality assurance regarding handmade production. The demands placed on a robotic workplace have changed greatly since the first standalone installation. Complex assembly lines incorporating robotic cell and multi robot cooperation represented a typical automotive arrangement even before the Industry 4.0 era. The complexity of the system leads to new challenges in control and optimization of each robotic controller, cell and workshop. Robots typically use technology extension, e.g. for welding, gluing, painting and testing. Overall reliability of process controls and robot controls are one of the factors which determine the financial outlay of the entire workshop. This article discusses some possible techniques and measures required to achieve the desired situation in a robotic workplace. All of these techniques underwent testing in the welding shops of the Skoda Auto, a.s. company.