Since the launch of its first AC motor drive product fifteen years ago, Delta Industrial Automation has continued to face new challenges with dedication and innovation and it has become one of the leading automation brands in the market. The success of Delta Industrial Automation comes from both its own efforts and strategic mergers with external professionals.
In recent years, Delta Industrial Automation has focused on the development of automatic robot arms and it has formed a new subsidiary— Delta Robot Automatic Co. Ltd., with A-TECH System Co., Ltd. Delta Robot Automatic Co. Ltd. is located at Taichung for the development and promotion of automated robots and related technology. The general manager of Delta Robot Automatic Co. Ltd. (DRA), Mr. Peter Peng, has strong confidence in the merger with Delta Industrial Automation. He shared the story with us, along with his expectations and future goals.
The Future Comes from the Past
“To learn about DRA, we have to go back to the history of A-TECH System,” said Peter with a smooth, deep and energetic voice.
Twenty-eight years ago, the core development team of A-TECH System started to work on the design and manufacture of robots, knowing it would be a future trend. Back then, Taiwan's manufacturing industry was booming rapidly along with the economy. With sufficient operators and employees, the demand for automated robots was limited due to high cost.
A-TECH System's robot development team thus focused on drives, control systems, and other automation components, and then turned to productivity and efficiency improvement and test equipment development later. That was where Peter decided to end his academic career, leaving the Industrial Technology Research Institute and joining A-TECH System.
A few years later, many of Taiwan's manufacturers moved to mainland China. Peter and the automation team of A-TECH System began to develop production equipment for semi-conductors and panels. They also cooperated with foreign manufacturers for OEM business.
At the end of 2012, Delta Industrial Automation officially started its development projects, and considered A-TECH System a very strong partner. They decided to work together, and DRA was born with Peter as the general manager. Since then, DRA has worked closely on the development of robotic arms and related automation technologies with the Industrial Motion System Business Unit (IMSBU) of the Delta Industrial Automation Business Group.
Stand Firm and Make a Plan
Peter has made a development plan with strategies. “Robots and automation are inseparable,” said Peter. “The market for automation is variable, large-scale, and requires customization. So our fist mission is to identify the common demands of users according to our experience and market trends, and build a standard solution for them.”
DRA is cooperating with the IMSBU in the development of robot arms and automation systems in four phases:
1.Economic Automated Robot: Manufacture cost-effective standard automated robots for customers to apply directly to production lines. Economic automated robots, such as assembling robot arms, are able to rapidly realize production automation, reduce production costs and enhance production speed. It can solve the issue of today's shrinking labor force.
2.Intelligent Automated Robot: Many industries have used automation to manufacture for years and robots are a key factor. However, many production processes, such as 3C production, can't completely replace the labor force with automation devices. With the labor force issue, productivity and product quality decreases. As a result, manufacturers require intelligent automated robots with smart detection functions such as visual detectors, sensors or light sensors. With intelligent robots, managers can precisely manage the operation of production lines to ensure proper production and operator safety.
3.Productivity Improvement Automation Solution: In the current market, manufacturers have easy access to automated robots; the problem is how to correctly and properly apply the robots to increase productivity and reduce the defect rate. In the third phase, DRA will combine automated robots with Delta's experience and technological support and build a productivity improvement automation solution along with a user-friendly platform and interface.
DRA hopes to provide a simple and user-friendly productivity improvement automation solution for users, and help them easily realize production automation, reduce labor costs, and improve productivity and efficiency.
“With flexible systems and solutions, users can easily introduce and master automation operations. We will take Delta's automation products, interface, integrated systems and service to our robots to simplify the implementation process. Delta and DRA will provide only the best automation solutions and robots for productivity improvement,” indicated Peter.
4.Intelligent Factory Automation Solutions: The semiconductor and panel manufacturing industry requires intelligent factory automation for production in the current market. It requires automation solutions covering products, integrated systems and interface. In the fourth phase DRA will combine automation products, control software and interface, and system integration technology and develop an intelligent factory automation solution with a user-friendly interface. DRA's goal is to provide user-friendly intelligent factory automation solutions to high-end applications.
As DRA and the IMSBU are working closely for phases 1 and 2, DRA is building bonds with other Delta Industrial Automation product teams for phases 3 and 4. The DRA sales team is holding periodic integration meetings with Delta Industrial Automation's product teams. Through the meetings, they work together on development strategies based on customer needs.
Peter said that DRA can collect the exact requirements of automated robot users to share with Delta's product teams. By sharing, the product teams can plan and adjust their product development projects in advance for actual market applications. DRA also supports the testing of Delta's new robot related products in actual applications to assure their use for customers.
The combination of Delta's product teams and DRA greatly improves the integration and flexibility with complete product lines, interfaces and solutions. As Delta Industrial Automation's production base in Taoyuan remains functional, DRA is able to directly perform technological and system tests. With real application experience, DRA can provide reliable and practical application references to increase efficiency and competitiveness for customers.
Focus on Target Users with Better Understanding and Support
In the current market, customers look for nothing but practical applications for robots. The sales approach for automatic robots is quite different from industrial automation products and solutions. Peter said, “Our target customers are those who work on production lines and know very well the demands for production process, such as plant directors or QA personnel. These people are professionals in production and quality management, but are not familiar with production facilities or equipment. We want to work closely with them to know their needs and find out the best solutions for them.”
DRA has begun cooperation with certain companies to support production facility integration, and building connections with system integrators with low-end and design-for-all automated robots to begin. The DRA will start from industries that are highly cooperative, such as the 3C industry, and then to the electronic and electrical machinery industries. Peter stated, “We can only provide correct answers according to precise questions. Step-by-step, we will get to know our customers and provide what they need.”
Be Unique, and be Prepared
Peter steps firmly when walking in the severely competitive markets. He indicated that as most robot suppliers focus on robot arm technologies, DRA looks for practical automatic robot solutions for production lines. “Our goal is to provide products that users can directly apply and use to improve their production systems. We're facing a difficult time and competitive markets, so only by satisfying customers with intelligence, stability, flexibility and high efficiency can we continue to proceed,” said Peter.
To Peter, his final goal for DRA is to create a more intelligent, user-friendly, safe, standard automation and robot technology and solutions to increase production efficiency. He concluded, “As people's lifestyles change, everyone is looking for a better life. So our mission is to replace the human workforce with robotic technologies and products for repetitive, simple, and monotonous work. We want to reduce production operators and avoid labor waste. It will be another industrial revolution where labor can be better utilized, creating a healthier, more civilized industry and better life quality. And for me, that's a lifetime job.”