ROI calculator shows benefits of industrial robots

ABB Robotics has launched an online return-on-investment (ROI) calculator to help UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) discover the cost and productivity benefits offered by industrial robots.

Available from the ABB website, the calculator demonstrates how companies can recoup their outlay on robots within two years through enhanced levels of performance and competitiveness.

Users can select from a range of industrial applications, including arc welding, machine tending, plastic injection moulding and picking, packing and palletising.

By entering data about the current levels of manpower employed in these processes, the number of hours worked and the hourly rate per worker, the user can see how much he or she could be saving by investing in robot-based automation.

The calculator also includes links to the various robot options available, as well as a contact form for those wanting to find out more about how they could best introduce robotic technology into their processes.

The launch of the calculator marks the latest step in ABB's '10 good reasons to invest in robotics' campaign, which aims to encourage UK manufacturers to embrace robotic technology.

Nigel Platt, sales and marketing manager for ABB Robotics in the UK, said: 'With reports highlighting plant closures and a decline in manufacturing orders, there seems to be a general uncertainty about manufactured goods in the UK, which affects the willingness of manufacturers to make longer-term investments.

'In particular, many UK businesses wrongly perceive robots as being too expensive to purchase and operate.

'Our ROI calculator aims to overcome this perception by showing how robotic technology can deliver long-term consistent performance with minimal overheads, helping companies to better predict factors, such as cost of production, turnaround times, output levels and product quality,' he added.

Additionally, manufacturers that want to avoid the larger capital investment can consider a choice of tailored leasing options; businesses can buy or lease ABB robots to reduce investment and minimise the commitment for long-term returns.

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