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How we've made cobots work for us

Aug 11, 2021

Cobots are traditionally designed to repeat a process over and over. For huge manufacturing factories, the use of robots and automation saves humans doing incredibly repetitive jobs that never vary. 

Automation is the way forward

We feel strongly that automation is the way forward. 

However, with varying requirements, processes and much smaller batch sizes, we need flexibility to be able to use cobots in different places on different machines for different tasks. Occasionally we have to think outside the box a little to adapt them to suit the purpose…!

Enabling cobots to run the night shift

Our latest invention was to allow the cobot to have access one of our Fanuc cnc machines to be able to remove machined parts, replace with new and run through the night. Cobot

We manufactured a support table with options to position the cobot in different places and the ability to raise or lower the height to enable easier access to the machine. It needed to have complete stability as any movement would throw off the pick-up and drop-off of parts, and yet the challenge was that it needed to be transportable so could not be fixed to the floor!  We also required a platform to hold the blanks for the cobot to pick up and a shute to send the finished parts down once finished. What do you think of our finished product?!

We find solutions to get things made

Often, we need to be innovative to make things work, both day to day in the workplace and for our clients when they come to us with a more unusual request. As per our straplines, ‘We Get Things Made’ and ‘We Find Solutions’, we believe there’s usually a way to achieve what sometimes might seem impossible! At the least we will always do our very best… 

  • Plunkett Associates worked on the design and production of titanium frames for an artificial heart valve where precision and consistency was paramount. Communications were efficient and productive with concepts readily incorporated into the final design, and suggestions for improvements all highly appropriate. The quality of the end product was ideal and I have no doubt that I will use the advice and expertise of Plunkett Associates again.
    David Wheatley, Wheatley Research Ltd
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  • “Doing business with you has been an absolute pleasure. You have made my goals a reality. You have been patient, helpful and above all, responsive. Best service that I have experienced in ages. I consider Plunkett Associates to be an integral part of my business plan moving forward.”
    Jet Cooper, Sculptor
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  • Thanks for the present that arrived this morning, as promised. Parts look first class, as always.
    Jon Todd, Design Manager, PHS Group
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  • Plunketts developed a solution that met our precision requirements at a cost significantly lower than alternative manufacturing approaches we had investigated
    Nick Skaer, CEO, Orthox Ltd
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  • Interestingly, people who look at it in its own right with little knowledge of what it does, just like it! It’s tactile and it looks good…
    Tim Collings, Operations Director, Troika Systems Ltd
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  • To create such a consistent quality finish in chrome was an amazing achievement and the prototypes really gave our stand the wow factor.
    James Clark, Group Commercial Director, The Airdri Group
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  • I can’t recommend Tim and his team highly enough. We ended up with a design which can be produced and assembled quickly, efficiently and reliably, in volumes that make sense
    Simon Leggett, Director, Olivewood Technology
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  • Kirintec were thrilled with Plunketts. They made a complex process simple and we were just amazed at the lead times achieved. Plus, every single deadline was met without any drama.
    Penny While, Marketing Director, Kirintec
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  • Plunkett Associates truly offer a complete turnkey solution with Speed, Effectiveness and Precision.
    David Harden, Director, Enica Ltd
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  • Plunkett Associates have a fantastic supply chain, work with all sorts of production processes and will always do their utmost to solve a problem.
    Naim Audio
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  • We always know exactly what we’re getting and we know we won’t be let down on quality, price or lead times.
    Mark Williams, Research and Development Director, Johnson Safety Products
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  • "With their simple to understand language, willingness to go the extra mile and approachability, Plunkett Associates were a great partner for our company. We couldn’t be happier with the results of our project. (A working prototype that they got right first time, by the way). Thank you!"
    Carolina Ballon-Forrester, Director, Kittyrama Ltd
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  • “We use Plunkett Associates because we want someone we can trust, that knows what they’re talking about, has all the contacts, will provide reliable advice and feedback and will get the right result for us.”
    Jim Copestick. Design Manager, Thorlux Lighting
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  • “Accuracy, finish and delivery all first class.”
    Andrew Peters, JMDA Ltd
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  • "Tim's experience, expertise and supplier base have been fundamental to us getting this project off the ground."
    Sam Pearce, Jelly Products Ltd
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  • Plunkett associates always find a solution. Whatever we need to prototype, they have a great grasp on the technologies available, costs and lead-times so we get the right solution tailored to the project needs. Have always delivered and never let us down.
    Naim Audio
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Get in Touch with us for your Prototyping, Machining and Tooling & Moulding requirements…