Industrial Robots and Robotic Automation Solutions
Ergonomic Partners designs and integrates industrial robotic automation systems built around your production requirements. From robotic welding cells to machine tending, palletizing, and portable cobot systems, our in-house engineering team specifies each solution for the best achievable ROI in your facility.
Industrial Robot or Cobot? Which Fits Your Application
The right platform depends on your volume, speed requirements, and how much your operators need direct access to the work cell.
|
Industrial Robot |
Cobot (Collaborative Robot) |
| Operating Speed |
Full speed |
Reduced speed / force-limited |
| Guarding Required |
Yes — safety fencing, physical separation from personnel |
No full perimeter guarding required |
| Payload Range |
Wide range depending on model |
Limited by design |
| Best Fit |
High-volume, high-speed production |
Lower-volume, flexible operations with frequent changeovers |
Find the Right Automation Solution
Ergonomic Partners has designed and installed robotic systems across the applications below. Follow a link to see specifications, examples, and FAQs for that solution.
Improve weld quality and boost production with our robotic welding cells.
- MIG, TIG, Arc & Spot Welding
- Custom Engineered Weld Cells
- Yaskawa ArcWorld Pre-Engineered Cells
- Fronius PMC, LSC & CMT Processes
- Carbon Steel, Stainless & Aluminum
See Robot Weld Cells & Automated Welding
Increase efficiency and safety with our robotic palletizing systems.
- Box Palletizing
- Pail Palletizing
- Bag Palletizing
- Custom End-of-Arm Tooling
- Multiple Pallet Patterns & SKUs
See Robotic Palletizing Systems
Increase flexibility and productivity with our easy-to-use cobot welding systems.
- HC10 & HC20 Cobot Packages
- Fronius Standard & Optional Weld Packages
- Modular Weld Fixture Tables
- Docking Stations for Multi-Location Use
- Fast Teaching — No Robot Programming Required
See Portable Cobot Welding Packages
Increase productivity and reduce labor costs with our robot machine tending solutions.
- Machine Loading & Unloading
- Part Sorting & Stacking
- Tooling & Changeover
- Custom In-Process & Post-Process Gauging
- Lights-Out Manufacturing
See Machine Tending Robots & Cobot Cells
Automated Robotics in Action
Industrial Robots & Automation
Boost productivity, cut costs, and improve quality with our industrial robots. Whether you're in manufacturing, logistics, or another industry, our robots can handle tasks from assembly to packaging. Increase efficiency, reduce errors, and create a safer workplace. See how our solutions can work for you. Watch our overview video to explore your options.
Material Handling Robot
Streamline your operations with our versatile material handling robots. From factories and warehouses to distribution centers, our robots handle tasks like loading, unloading, and transporting materials. Increase efficiency, reduce labor costs, and improve safety. Watch this video to see how we've helped a client enhance their material handling process.
Automated Crane System
Enhance warehouse and production efficiency with our automated crane systems. Designed for industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and distribution, our cranes handle heavy-duty lifting and transporting tasks with precision and speed. Improve worker safety, optimize space utilization, and increase throughput. From raw material handling to finished goods storage, our automated crane systems provide flexible and reliable solutions. Watch this video to see how we implemented a custom crane system for automotive manufacturing.
Trimming and Cutting Robots
Achieve precise and consistent trimming and cutting with our robotic solutions. Ideal for automotive, aerospace, and plastics manufacturers, our robots handle a variety of materials and parts. Improve product quality, reduce labor costs, and enhance safety. See how our robots deliver superior results. Watch this video to see a real-world example of how our trimming and cutting robots have helped a customer improve product finish and increase production efficiency.
Deburring Robot
Eliminate manual deburring with our automated deburring robots. Ideal for automotive, aerospace, and metalworking industries, our systems remove burrs quickly and consistently. Improve product quality, reduce labor costs, and enhance worker safety. Watch this video to see the difference a deburring robot can make in your operations.
Inspection Robot
Enhance quality control and reduce defects with our inspection robots. Ideal for automotive, electronics, and manufacturing industries, our robots identify flaws and inconsistencies with precision. Increase efficiency, reduce rework, and improve product reliability. See how our inspection robots can elevate your quality standards. Watch this video to see an example of an inspection robot we developed that helped a customer improve product quality and reduce scrap rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a robotic systems integrator?
A robotic systems integrator designs, builds, and commissions a complete automated work cell — taking a robot arm from a manufacturer like Yaskawa or KUKA and engineering the full system around it, including end effectors, safety guarding, controls, and programming. Unlike a robot manufacturer, an integrator translates the buyer's production requirement — throughput targets, part geometry, cycle time — into a functional system designed for their specific facility. Ergonomic Partners handles the full integration scope in-house, from application scoping and mechanical design through commissioning and operator training.
What types of industrial tasks can robots be programmed to handle?
Industrial robots can be programmed for welding, palletizing, machine tending, trimming, cutting, deburring, inspection, and material handling — including overhead crane automation for heavy repetitive transfers. The range of applicable tasks is determined by payload capacity, reach, repeatability, and the end effector or tooling attached to the robot arm. Ergonomic Partners has designed and installed robotic systems across automotive, aerospace, plastics, and metalworking facilities — see our robot and automation video library for specific application examples.
What's the difference between an industrial robot and a cobot?
An industrial robot operates at high speed behind safety fencing, with a wide range of available payloads depending on model; a cobot (collaborative robot) is designed to work alongside operators without full guarding, with payload capacity limited by design. Cobots are slower and lighter by design — the reduced speed and force limit allows them to stop safely on contact with a person, while industrial robots run at full speed and require physical separation from personnel. For high-volume, high-speed applications, an industrial robot in a guarded cell delivers higher throughput; cobots are well-suited for lower-volume, flexible operations where setups change frequently.
What industries use industrial robotic automation systems?
Industrial robots are most widely deployed in automotive, aerospace, plastics and composites, metalworking, food and beverage, and distribution — any industry with high-volume repetitive tasks, precision requirements, or ergonomic injury risk in the production process. In automotive, robots handle welding, assembly, and part transfers; in aerospace and plastics, trimming and cutting cells replace manual routing operations; in metalworking, machine tending and deburring automation reduces operator exposure to sharp edges and heavy parts. Ergonomic Partners has built robotic systems for manufacturers across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Arkansas, and beyond — contact us to discuss your application.
When does it make sense to automate versus use a lift assist device?
Robotic automation makes sense when the same task runs hundreds of times per shift with consistent part geometry; a lift assist device — manipulator arm, vacuum lifter, or hoist — makes sense when part variation is high, cycle volumes are lower, or operator judgment is required at multiple points in the process. A fully integrated robotic cell represents a significant capital investment depending on scope; a custom-engineered lift assist device carries a fraction of that cost, making it the right tool when the primary need is ergonomic injury prevention rather than labor replacement. If your application involves assisted manual handling rather than full automation, see our custom lifting devices page.
What robot brands does Ergonomic Partners work with?
Ergonomic Partners is a certified integrator for Yaskawa/Motoman and KUKA — two of the most widely deployed industrial robot platforms in North American manufacturing. Yaskawa/Motoman covers welding, handling, and palletizing applications; KUKA brings broad coverage for automotive and heavy-payload automation. The robot platform is selected based on payload, reach, duty cycle, and the specific requirements of the application.
Ergonomic Partners also works with a broad network of equipment and component suppliers.
