If the first thing on your Christmas wish list was a new robotic system for your plant, John Burg of Acieta offers a quick owner’s manual on what to do first. Rather than just run out and play with this new toy, Burg wrote in Plant Engineering that there are five things every plant should consider before bringing the robot on to the plant floor.

“Skipping these steps often results in projects that are cut short, drag on too long, or never get off the ground,” Burg wrote. “A robotic system is a big investment, so it deserves special consideration and planning time.”

Not surprisingly, getting a company-wide buy-in to the robot’s arrival is the first key to success. Robots still are view warily, but between continuing workforce development issues and the resulting need for robots to fill in that skills gap, manufacturers are looking at new ways to develop a plant where workers and robots collaborate to maintain productivity. That trend already is in place: A3 reported this month that robot sales hit an all-time high.

Bob Vavra is the content manager for Plant Engineering.

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our WTWH Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.