Jul 16 2015
DENSO Robotics, a global supplier of advanced robotic technology, has published a new guide to help prospective robot buyers meet their manufacturing, packaging and other industrial needs.
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The guide, "Small Assembly Robots: Comparing the Cost of Ownership of Different Brands," explains what buyers need to know to evaluate their options and comparison shop for the best value.
"There are a number of variables to consider, and some are more obvious than others," said Peter Cavallo, robotics sales manager, DENSO Products & Services Americas, Inc. "Price alone doesn't tell the whole story. It's important to know what's in the package and what isn't."
In a marketplace growing at an unprecedented rate, initial hardware and software costs of small assembly robots vary widely from one manufacturer to another. For starters, buyers need to know whether the robot arm and controller are sold separately or as a set.
"The initial quote is not the total cost of ownership," Cavallo said. "Are all the components, features and software a buyer needs included or are they add-ons? Are there additional licensing and activation fees? What about training?"
The total cost of ownership also includes long-term costs, which account for most of what the buyer will ultimately spend on a robot. Key factors are maintenance requirements, telephone support and service contracts, reliability and longevity, obsolescence, speed and productivity, and energy consumption.
Concise and user-friendly, the guide offers a checklist to help all prospective buyers make an informed decision before making a financial commitment.