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A cobot is the best
colleague an employee could wish for

In modern production processes, everything revolves around efficiency and safety—producing as much as possible with minimal risks. Collaborative robots, also known as cobots or universal robots, are designed to work safely alongside humans. Unlike traditional robots, which are so dangerous they must operate in enclosed spaces, cobots stand directly next to their human colleagues in a shared work environment. When well-integrated into the production process, they become a reliable and indispensable link in the chain.

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Flexible strength

Collaborative robots offer many advantages, but surely their greatest quality is flexibility. Unlike industrial robots, which are often limited to a set task or setup, a cobot can easily be used for new tasks. Without effort or specialized knowledge, you can reprogram a cobot for new tasks. Cobots adapt quickly to a company's changing needs and are easy to deploy in a new production line.

Experienced system integrator

At Schaeffler Special Machinery, we have extensive experience in integrating cobots into a variety of production systems. We collaborate with all leading suppliers and can integrate any cobot, regardless of the brand, into a fully functional solution. We provide advice and operate with complete independence, giving our clients the freedom to choose the cobot that best suits their needs. Once the choice is made, we simply ensure the solution works. From small-scale production processes to large industrial applications, as a system integrator with a long track record, we guarantee seamless implementation.

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Experienced system integrator

At Schaeffler Special Machinery, we have extensive experience integrating cobots into various production systems. We cooperate with all leading suppliers and can integrate any cobot, no matter what brand, into a working solution. We advise and work completely independently. Our customers have complete freedom to choose which cobot best suits their needs. And once the choice is made, we simply make sure the solution works. From small production processes to large-scale industrial applications, as a system integrator with a long track record, we guarantee a seamless implementation.

 

Safety first

Cobots are designed to work safely. Equipped with advanced, built-in sensors and smart software, they stop immediately when they recognize a potential hazard. Thanks to all built-in safety mechanisms, a cobot can simply work alongside human colleagues without shielding. Thus, cobots guarantee a safe working environment without compromising speed or efficiency.

Projecten that we're proud of

Careful installation of gears in housing

Careful installation of gears in housing

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Bin picking of components

Bin picking of components

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Assembly of ABB hollow wall boxes and ring

Assembly of ABB hollow wall boxes and ring

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Stacking products in trays

Stacking products in trays

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A world of applications

Cobots are proving their strength in a wide variety of applications. They provide reliable support in the assembly of complex products or the efficient packaging of piece goods, but also take on specialized tasks such as series welding. Due to their versatility and flexibility, cobots can be used in almost any industry. Logistics, healthcare, automotive, food - with its flexible deployability, a cobot offers a solution in many production processes.

Future-proof solution

The first collaborative robot appeared on the market in 1996, and thirty years later, development is still in full swing. With each new generation, cobots become smarter, faster and more versatile. At Schaeffler Special Machinery, we follow all developments closely and ensure that our customers always have access to the latest technologies. Our commitment is to devise and implement solutions that prove their value not only now, but also in the future.

Advantages of the Cobot

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Easy to work with

A cobot makes work lighter, more enjoyable, safer, and more efficient. Cobots are reliable, hardworking colleagues and easy to work with, thanks to their simple and intuitive programming. With minimal effort, an employee can assign a cobot to perform a new task. Reconfiguring the cobot doesn’t require complex programming skills, let alone expensive experts. Unlike industrial robots, a cobot runs on user-friendly software. Anyone can independently program and adapt a cobot to meet the day’s needs.

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Cobots pay for themselves

Investing in a cobot is a smart decision. Not only are they often more affordable than traditional robots, but they also immediately add value to the production process. While cobots may not match industrial robots in speed, payload, or power, they more than make up for it in the long run. By taking over heavy lifting and repetitive tasks, cobots enhance safety and job satisfaction. Employees are healthier and more motivated, as they can focus on what they love and do best.

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Robots capture the imagination

While robots inspire fascination, many companies hesitate to incorporate them into their production processes due to fears of complex technology. Cobots break down that barrier. They are not only user-friendly but also easy to maintain. With their intuitive software, cobots are simple to program and can be quickly adapted to new processes. This means you can access advanced automation with a relatively small investment.

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A Cobot works everywhere

Cobots provide reliable, consistent quality and are successfully used across numerous industries. In the food industry, for instance, cobots assist with packaging and palletizing products. In the medical sector, they are employed in delicate assembly processes, while in the automotive industry, they are often utilized for larger welding and assembly tasks. The versatility of cobots makes them an indispensable link in modern production environments.
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Compact powerhouse

Another advantage of cobots is their compactness. A cobot is lighter and smaller than most industrial robots, allowing it to be used for various tasks in smaller workspaces. Whether you have a large factory floor or a limited workspace, a cobot will always fit. Cobots are easy to move and can be mounted anywhere, even on the ceiling, to save even more space.

Little, better counterpart

In production environments where speed, power, and precision are essential, industrial robots remain indispensable, simply because they can handle heavier tasks and produce at higher speeds and accuracy. However, when it comes to consistent quality in low volumes, a wide range of applications, maximum flexibility, and safe collaboration with humans, the cobot outperforms its larger industrial counterparts.

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Cobot stands for safe collaboration

A collaborative robot is a manageable robot. Less powerful and dangerous, equipped with advanced sensors and additional safety measures, designed to work alongside humans. In fact, a cobot depends on human operators to perform optimally.

Empower employees

Investing in cobots is also an investment in employees. By relieving workers of heavy lifting and automating repetitive, tedious tasks, a cobot creates a better work environment. Employees experience fewer physical complaints, there is less absenteeism, and more job satisfaction, which all together leads to increased productivity. Cobots empower employees. By contributing to a healthier and more motivated team, they strengthen the company as a whole.

The human factor

Automation is sometimes still a sensitive topic. Robots are seen as a threat to jobs because they make human labor redundant. However, a collaborative robot does not threaten employment; on the contrary, cobots prove their value in the collaboration between humans and machines. Instead of replacing workers, a cobot makes them stronger and more effective. By taking over heavy, boring, and repetitive tasks, employees can focus on tasks that require creativity and problem-solving skills—exactly the qualities that cannot be automated.

Schaeffler Special Machinery makes technology work for you

With the rise and application of cobots, we are on the brink of a new era in production. A cobot combines flexibility, safety, and efficiency in a single solution, and at Schaeffler Special Machinery, we are ready to help companies make the most of this technology. From advising on which cobot is best suited for a particular task to its implementation in the production system, we provide customized solutions, independent of brands or suppliers.

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Keep the conversation going?

Collaboration is the future. If you're curious about how a cobot can help make your production processes more efficient and safer, or if you'd like to learn more about the cobot solutions we offer and implement at Schaeffler Special Machinery, don't hesitate to get in touch. Just like cobots, we're eager to work with you.