07/02/2013
Robotics Update
According to IFR , In 2011 sales of robots reached 166,028 units, an increase of 38% with the automotive industry the biggest purchaser. That year it was estimated that the world’s operational robot population reached somewhere between 1,153,000 and 1,400,000. That number was expected to grow by 180,000 in 2012, and increase to over 200,000 per year by 2015.
Industrial Robot
The RIA (Robotics Industries Association) has officially given the definition for Industrial Robots. According to RIA, “An Industrial Robot is a reprogrammable, multifunctional manipulator designed to move materials, parts, tools, or special devices through variable programmed motions for the performance of a variety of tasks.”
Robots were initially retained to perform precise welding chores and other repetitive tasks that humans had long found boring, monotonous and injurious. By using robots to weld, handle dangerous objects and place items, auto manufacturers were able to ensure a consistent product with a minimum of worker injury. Currently, 50 percent of all robots in use today are used in automobile manufacture.
Almost all manufacturing robots are single arms with computer controls, and do not look like a typical science-fiction "robot." Different robots will have different appendages, depending upon their job(s). For instance, a robot that places windshields will have a vacuum-powered suction grip to handle the smooth glass, while a welding robot will have an arc welder to fuse two pieces of metal together.
In Iran & Asia
For better insight about situation of industrial robotics in Iran is not bad to know , we stand after Japan , South Korea, Taiwan, India, Singapore ,Philippine , Thailand , Vietnam while Iran does not have any places in this category , head of the Iran Khodro said that Iran is a country that will soon be the fourth pole of automobile manufacturer in Asia!
In 2005, the International Federation of Robotics announced that in Iran and in 2003 and 2004 the number 336, and in 2004 the number of 106 for industrial robots installed. Of course, although more precise figures in this respect does not exist, supervisors said the total number of industrial robots in Iran's barely 1000 machine estimated. in 1994 in Pride production line at the factory of SAIPA The first Iran's industrial robots from the Japanese company (Kawasaki) installed. The robots weld the car body and roof work.
Asia (including Australia and New Zealand) was by far the biggest market with about 88,700 units, again a new peak level. After the strong increase of 132% in 2010, sales of industrial robots rose by a more moderate rate of 27%. In 2011, Japan was again the biggest robot market in the world. Robot supplies to Japan continued to recover and increased by 27% to almost 28,000 units. The automotive industry and most of all other sectors were increasing robot investments above average. The electrical/ electronics industry also ordered considerably more robots than in 2010, but the increase rate was below average. In 2011, robot sales increased by 9% to 25,536 units in the Republic of Korea.
According to IFR , In 2010, the automotive industry - the most important purchaser of industrial robots - restarted to invest in industrial robots after continuously reducing robot installations since 2006. Automotive industry was one of the main drivers of the strong recovery of robot shipments. This continued in 2011. About 59,700 new robots, 55% more than in 2010, were installed (a new peak level). In 2009, robot installations hit rock bottom and in 2010, about 70% more robots were sold to the automotive industry (32,700 units). In 2011, the automotive industry accounted for 36% of the total annual supply. With regard to Australia, China, India, Thailand, Taiwan and other Asian countries, the distribution by various industries is not complete. But, considering that most of these countries are emerging markets in the automotive industry, the real share of robot supplies to the automotive industry is higher. Given the distribution by application, it can be concluded that the robot supply to the automotive industries in China, Thailand, Malaysia and India also increased considerably in 2011.
Between 2013 and 2015 worldwide robot sales will increase by about 5% on average per year: about 5% in the Americas, about 6% in Asia/Australia, and about 2% in Europe. The opening up of huge consumer markets in the BRIC countries, in South East Asia, in Turkey and also in the Middle Eastern countries will guarantee the increasing consumer demand which is necessary for further investments in automation within these countries. Energy-efficiency and light weight construction materials are the main challenges for the manufacturing industry.
