Cobotcell

Cobotcell is a term used in industrial automation to describe a manufacturing workcell that relies on collaborative robots, or cobots, to perform tasks in proximity to human workers. Such cells are designed for flexibility and rapid reconfiguration, enabling changes in product or process with minimal downtime and lower initial investment than many traditional automation solutions.

A cobotcell typically combines one or more cobots with human operators, safety systems, and material-handling equipment. Cobots perform repetitive or precision tasks such as pick-and-place, assembly, or machine tending, while humans handle setup, inspection, and exception handling. The cell may include end-effectors, vision systems, force sensors, and a coordinated control system, with safety features like speed monitoring and collaborative boundaries.

Safety and standards: Collaborative workcells are guided by safety norms such as ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066, along with company risk assessments. Protective measures include speed and force limiting, power-and-force sensing, safety-rated monitored exits, and configurable work zones that reduce the risk of unintended human-robot contact.

Applications and benefits: Cobotcells are used across electronics, consumer goods, packaging, and light automotive workflows. They offer flexibility, faster changeovers, improved worker safety, and potential labor cost reductions, especially in markets requiring small to mid-volume production with frequent product changes.

Implementation notes and history: The cobotcell concept gained prominence with the spread of collaborative robots in the 2010s. Successful deployments require careful layout planning, integration with manufacturing execution systems and enterprise resource planning tools, operator training, and ongoing maintenance and governance to sustain performance.