How to Spot When Your Collaborative Robot Needs Repair

Your collaborative robot, also known as a cobot, has been working hard to increase efficiency and reliability within production. This new technology has quickly paid for itself and has become indispensable for human coworkers working alongside the robot. Or perhaps you have used robotic technology for quite some time, and it has become a staple within your organization.

Either way, if you are reading this blog post, you may have recently witnessed a few odd symptoms being exhibited by your collaborative robot. Never fear! We can help you understand the various signs that your collaborative robot may need maintenance or repair, as well as, go over a few maintenance checks you can perform on your own. Read on to learn more.

Why Cobot Maintenance and Repair Is Important

The primary reason that collaborative robot maintenance and repair is important is because of downtime. Just like a compressed air system or other essential production equipment, if technology is not maintained and well taken care of, it will eventually break down due to wear and tear. Such downtime is generally costly and decreases production efficiency until a repair is completed by a robotic specialist.

Another reason repair and maintenance are important is the sheer efficiency of operation. If a robot is experiencing part wear down, your robot may continue to operate, but not at the same level of efficiency that it once did. This can lead to lower levels of output or increased energy consumption.

Finally, lack of maintenance and repair may result in a decreased lifespan for your collaborative robot. After all, if a problem continues to progress over time, it can impact other parts and systems within your collaborative robot.

Signs Your Collaborative Robot Needs Repair or Maintenance

There are many signs that your collaborative robot requires repair and maintenance. However, there are many common symptoms that indicate that a specialist or internal team member needs to take a look at your collaborative robot.

• Out of place sounds. We all have experienced a dreaded out-of-place sound when we are driving down the road in our cars. This generally means that a call to the local mechanic is necessary. Similarly, if your robot suddenly begins making odd noises, a prompt inspection is needed.
• Energy drain. Just like your smartphone may start draining battery at unprecedented levels when it requires repair, a collaborative robot may also begin draining energy. If you notice the energy levels your robot consumes skyrocketing, a repair is likely imminent.
• Repetition is inconsistent. If repeatability is faltering, your collaborative robot needs a checkup. This may come in two forms. You may notice that product deficiencies are becoming more common. Or perhaps you notice that your robot is unable to make repetitive motions again and again. This is a large concern if the robot is operating near your employees as injury may result from erratic movements. Either way, if lack of repeatability is becoming an issue, it’s worth a call to your internal or external robotics team.
• Software technical difficulties. Many collaborative robots utilize software to complete commands. If a software glitch occurs, this should be fairly easy to identify. You may notice that commands are not being input correctly or that data seems to disappear for seemingly no reason.
• Obvious damage. Another common sign that your robot may need repair is simply obvious damage to robotic parts. You may notice damage to a cobot arm, sensor, cable, or other parts. Taking the time to repair these problems may limit impact on production.
• It’s simply been a long time since maintenance has been performed. If maintenance has been neglected for quite some time, it is likely time for a tune-up to be performed. Consult with your user manual and determine when maintenance tasks should be performed.

Maintenance Checks That Save You Time

Performing just a few simple maintenance checks can keep your robotic system running smoothly and limit the chances that your collaborative robot may experience downtime. Maintenance intervals will depend on your specific brand and model of collaborative robot, but there are a few fundamentals that are useful to perform daily.

• Pay attention to any weird sounds or motion oddities.
• Perform a quick glance inspection to be sure no damage to parts is present.
• Take special care to tighten any loose bolts or ensure that cables are well taken care of.
• Clean optics and sensors when necessary and be sure they are free of dirt and other debris.

Contact a Robotic Specialist to Schedule a Repair

While robots can be used to increase efficiency and repeatability, necessary repairs can quickly result in expensive downtime for your company. Don’t let a repair affect your operations. One of our robotic specialists would be happy to help you schedule a repair or maintenance visit. Reach out to one of our robotic specialists for assistance.

Would you like to find out what robotic services and products we offer? You can find out more on our website.