Introduction
Choosing an industrial robot is not only about selecting a robot model from a catalog.
Many customers contact automation suppliers with a simple request:
"We need a robot to pick and place our products."
However, a robot itself is only one part of an automation system. The final solution also depends on the product characteristics, production speed, feeding method, accuracy requirements, and factory environment.
Before recommending a Delta Robot, SCARA Robot, or customized pick and place system, engineers need to understand the complete application.
The more detailed information customers can provide, the more accurate and reliable the automation solution will be.
What Information Do We Need From Customers Before Designing a Robot Solution?
1. Product Details: Understanding What the Robot Will Handle
Every automation project starts with the product.
Before selecting a robot, we need to understand:
- What is the product?
- How big and heavy is it?
- What material is it made of?
- Is the surface flat, smooth, or irregular?
- Does it have a fixed orientation?
- Can it be picked by vacuum or does it require a customized gripper?
Product information can directly influence the entire system design.
For example, small electronic components, connectors, sensors, and plastic parts usually require a different solution compared with packaging products or larger mechanical parts.
A high-speed Delta Robot may be the right choice for lightweight products requiring fast pick and place movement.
For applications requiring precise assembly or horizontal movement, a SCARA Robot may provide better performance.
Without understanding the product first, it is difficult to recommend the correct robot.
2. Production Requirements: Speed Is Not the Only Factor
Many customers initially focus on robot speed.
However, in a real production environment, overall efficiency depends on the complete system.
We normally ask customers:
- How many products need to be handled per minute?
- What is the target production capacity?
- What cycle time is required?
- Is the machine expected to run continuously?
- How many shifts does the factory operate?
For example:
A customer may require 80-100 pieces per minute.
This information helps engineers determine:
- Robot working speed
- Number of robots required
- Feeding method
- Robot layout
Sometimes one faster robot is not always the best solution. Two smaller robots working together may provide better accuracy, flexibility, and production stability.
3. Current Production Process: Finding Where Automation Can Create Value
A good automation solution should solve production problems, not simply replace manual labor.
Therefore, we need to understand the customer's current process:
- How are products handled today?
- Where are operators involved?
- Which steps create production bottlenecks?
- Are there quality problems during manual operation?
For example:
A factory producing small electronic components may currently use operators to manually pick parts from containers and place them into trays.
After reviewing the process, a possible solution could include:
- Flexible feeder for product preparation
- Vision system for position recognition
- Delta Robot for high-speed picking
- Automatic tray loading system
The goal is to create a stable and efficient production process.
4. Installation Space and Factory Conditions
A robot solution must fit into the customer's real production environment.
Before designing the machine, engineers usually need:
- Machine layout drawing
- Available installation space
- Photos or videos of the production area
- Height limitations
- Existing equipment information
This is especially important for compact automation systems.
For factories with limited space, a compact Delta Robot system can provide high-speed performance while maintaining a small footprint.
For assembly applications requiring precise positioning, a SCARA Robot may be more suitable.
Understanding the installation environment at an early stage helps avoid unexpected problems during commissioning.
5. Choosing the Right Feeding System
In many pick and place applications, feeding is actually one of the most important parts of the project.
A robot can only achieve high efficiency when products are supplied correctly.
Depending on the product, different feeding solutions may be required:
Vibration Bowl Feeder
Commonly used for:
- Rivets
- Screws
- Metal components
- Standard-shaped parts
Flexible Feeder
Suitable for:
- Electronic components
- Irregular products
- Sensitive parts
Vision Feeding System
Suitable for:
- Randomly positioned products
- Products requiring orientation correction
The feeding method directly affects robot performance, cycle time, and production stability.
6. Vision System Requirements
For many modern automation applications, vision technology has become an important part of the system.
Customers should provide information about:
- Whether products are randomly placed
- Position accuracy requirements
- Inspection requirements
- Defect detection needs
With a vision system, robots can:
- Locate products automatically
- Correct position deviation
- Identify product orientation
- Improve production flexibility
For example, a Delta Robot combined with a camera system can pick small parts from a flexible feeder and place them accurately into trays.
7. Communication and Integration Requirements
Industrial automation systems often need to communicate with existing factory equipment.
Before designing the solution, customers should provide:
- PLC brand
- Communication method
- Existing machine interface
- Safety requirements
Early confirmation of these requirements makes integration smoother and reduces modification costs later.
8. Product Samples and Testing
Real product testing is one of the most important parts of automation development.
Photos and drawings provide useful information, but physical samples allow engineers to verify:
- Picking method
- Robot movement
- Cycle time
- Product stability
- Vision performance
For this reason, we always recommend customers provide samples whenever possible.
Testing helps ensure that the final automation solution works reliably in actual production.
Our Process for Developing a Customized Robot Solution
Based on customer requirements, the typical development process includes:
Application Analysis
We review:
- Product characteristics
- Production requirements
- Factory conditions
Robot Selection
We evaluate whether the application requires:
- Delta Robot
- SCARA Robot
- Other industrial robot solutions
System Design
The complete solution may include:
- Robot system
- Feeding system
- Vision system
- Custom tooling
- Safety structure
Testing and Optimization
Before delivery, the system is adjusted to achieve:
- Stable operation
- Required speed
- Required accuracy
Why Providing Detailed Information Helps Build a Better Solution
A successful automation project is a cooperation between the customer and the automation supplier.
The more information provided at the beginning, the better engineers can understand the real requirements.
Detailed information helps to:
- Select the correct robot model
- Avoid unnecessary costs
- Improve system reliability
- Reduce development time
- Achieve better production performance
At Fider Automation, we provide customized automation solutions based on customer applications, including Delta Robot systems, SCARA Robot solutions, pick and place systems, feeding systems, and vision integration.
By understanding your product and production requirements, we can help develop a practical automation solution for your factory.
Contact Our Automation Engineers
If you are planning a robot automation project, please share:
- Product photos or videos
- Product dimensions and weight
- Required production speed
- Current production process
- Factory layout
Our engineering team will evaluate your application and recommend a suitable solution.
