Preparing the published article.
When to Choose a Collaborative Robot
Collaboration is a layout decision as much as a technology decision.
Good fits
| Situation | Why it fits |
|---|---|
| Shared workspace with people | Monitoring and speed limiting help |
| Frequent product change | Light tooling and simple redeployment |
| Low payload tasks | Assembly, machine tending, inspection |
| Limited floor space | Compact footprint without heavy guarding |
Where it is the wrong choice
- High payload or very high cycle rate requirements.
- Heavy dust, coolant or wash-down conditions without correct ratings.
- Tasks needing very high stiffness or long reach.
A collaborative robot still requires a risk assessment for the specific installation.