Idealog – July 26, 2019

Idealog.co.nz | The Transformation Issue

083

idealog/CALLAGHAN INNOVATION

Adopt a cobot

• free trials
  Callaghan Innovation
  offers a free one-month
  Universal UR5 robot trial
  for eligible businesses to
  test a smart, collaborative
  robot or ‘cobot’ in the
  workplace. Businesses
  that are new to robotics
  and have manufacturing or
  production tasks that can
  be performed by a cobot
  are likely to gain the most
  benefit from the trials.

Quick specs for the

UR5 robotic arm

ջAutomat e tasks

up to 5 kgs

ջReach radius of

up to 850 mm

ջCan work in close

proximity to humans

ջFlexible and retrainable

ջFast set-up

like six if they could “keep the robot busy 24 hours a day
every workday”.
“Many companies are struggling with how to begin
‘Industry 4.0’ adoption but Nautech’s approach clearly
shows how to de-risk employment and leverage new skills,”
says Anderson.

Testing the potential
While the payoff can be significant, the initial set-up costs
and time involved deploying robots in manufacturing can
be a deterrent for some companies, which is why Callaghan
Innovation implemented a one-month robotics trial
programme.
One of the first companies to take advantage of the
trial was door and window lock and hardware maker Assa
Abloy. In 2016 it compared Callaghan’s ‘Baxter’ robot with
the UR5 model, ultimately determining the UR5 was more
suitable to its needs.
It later deployed the UR5, dubbed ‘Victoria’ into its
production line, resulting in better consistency of product
and helping Assa Abloy deliver any key or lock, in any
colour, with a two-day turnaround.

Earlier this year, Air New Zealand took advantage

of Callaghan Innovation’s UR5 trial to explore

opportunities to deploy the robotic arm to gain

manufacturing efficiencies.

“It’s difficult to justify the investment in sourcing

a robotic arm for a short period of time when success is

not guaranteed,” says Air New Zealand’s 3D printing and

advanced manufacturing project manager Wayne Thomas.

“By removing this barrier, Callaghan Innovation

enabled us to investigate what did and didn’t work, we

were able to make our mistakes early and learn from them,

and we proved the concept is viable.” ■

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Contact us today:

Web: callaghaninnovation.govt.nz

Phone: 0800 422 552

Email: [email protected]