Where to find cobots for assembly line automation in the US?

Where to find cobots for assembly line automation in the US?

US manufacturers can source assembly cobots through Universal Robots application partners, FANUC Authorized System Integrators, Doosan's US channel, and other qualified assembly-system builders. The critical purchase is an assembly process, not just a robot arm. Select a provider experienced in your operation, whether it is screwdriving, component insertion, dispensing, handling, or testing.

Define the process and quality requirement

Provide drawings, tolerances, materials, component variation, required force or torque, cycle time, and acceptance criteria. Explain how each component is fed, oriented, and checked. A robot's repeatability specification does not establish finished assembly accuracy: fixture variation, tool compliance, calibration, and part quality contribute to the result. Tight insertion tasks may need force control or passive compliance as well as accurate motion.

Evaluate tooling and component presentation

A screwdriving cell may need a reliable screw feeder, tool engagement checks, controlled torque, and records of fastening results. A dispensing cell needs control of flow, material condition, and nozzle behavior. Feeding and fixturing can dominate reliability. Ask the supplier to prove the least favorable component variants rather than using only specially selected parts in a demonstration.

Integrate the station with the existing line

Define station-ready, part-present, process-complete, and fault signals, along with data sent to a PLC or production database. Specify behavior when upstream supply stops or downstream equipment is unavailable. Include access for replenishment and changeover. The robot's local cycle must support the line's actual takt time without creating new queues or excessive manual intervention.

Contract for acceptance and maintainability

Agree on good assemblies per hour, quality results, tool-life assumptions, changeover time, and restart behavior. Require the supplier to demonstrate an out-of-tolerance component, a missing screw, and a process interruption. Obtain backups, fixtures documentation, recipe instructions, and training. The best assembly platform is the one that sustains your process capability and can be maintained, not necessarily the arm with the most impressive isolated motion performance.

Explore related resources

Can robotic arms perform assembly and screwdriving?

FANUC company profile

Doosan Robotics company profile

Explore the pictured robot: Doosan Robotics A0509

Sources and further reading

Universal Robots assembly application information; FANUC CRX assembly and system integrator information; Doosan Robotics product and partner information.

Cobot image gallery

Pictured examples: Doosan Robotics A0509; Universal Robots UR10e; FAIRINO FR10. Product illustrations do not represent a complete installed workcell.