At Ford’s Silverton Manufacturing Plant, the door assembly line has been significantly upgraded with the addition of two collaborative robots, or cobots, tasked with installing weatherproof shields in Ranger doors. These UR10e cobots work in tandem with human operators, improving efficiency without replacing jobs. They facilitate the precise application of weatherproof liners, using a roller attached to their ‘wrist’ to apply a consistent force of up to 5 kilograms.
“The cobots know exactly how much force to apply and can apply that force more easily and precisely than we can,” explained Suresh Babu, Plant Manager of Silverton Vehicle Operations. “They follow a complex path, avoiding no-go zones on the door, and ensure the shield is completely sealed against water ingress. Their consistency helps us meet the expected quality every time.”
Previously, workers manually applied the liners with a hand-held roller, which was physically demanding and prone to causing repetitive strain injuries. The introduction of cobots has alleviated these physical strains, enhancing worker well-being and accelerating the installation process. Babu noted, “Before the cobot was installed, it was hard work installing the weatherproof liners. The cobot doesn’t get tired or ever need a break. It’s made a big difference to quality and health on the line.”