Dean Elkins

Dean Elkins is the segment leader, material handling at Yaskawa America Inc. – Motoman Robotics Division. Email dean.elkins@motoman.com.

Articles by Dean Elkins

Robotic Machine Tending for Optimized Operations

Yaskawa, Yaskawa America, Motoman, Yaskawa Motoman, automation, robotics, robots, machining, metal forming, metalforming, fabrication, fabricating

An increasing number of facilities are using flexible, portable robot platforms, which can be maneuvered throughout a factory to perform tasks. By robotically automating one or more elements on the shop floor, machine shops can not only increase productivity and OEE, but also realize a better ROI.

Finding Balance: Robotic Machine Tending Tips

Robotic automation of machine tending can add value to operations in more ways than one. By considering these concepts and combining best practices with high performance robots and peripherals, operational inefficiencies will diminish, paving the way for a more productive future.

Well Handled Operations: An Easy Path to Profitability

Shops are revisiting the use of material handling robots or human-collaborative robot (cobot) utilization for fulfilling diverse tasks with efficiency and accuracy – two things that are sometimes hard to find in human workers because of the growing skills gap.