The Benefits of Glass Lifting Robots

One often overlooked yet the totally useful object is glass. It has been used by people for thousands of years. From the lenses of our eyeglasses to the windows that offer a protected view of the outside, all of these – and so much more – come from glass. 

As society continues to improve, the need for glass also continues to grow. Bigger panes of glass are needed for certain parts of buildings. At the same time, the methods for handling and installing these pieces of glasses have similarly improved. 

Technology has created robots to improve the ways people lift and install glass.

Let’s learn more about these glass lifting robots, their benefits, and why we need them in the first place. 

From Manual Lifting to Robots

Like most everything, people started creating, handling, and installing glass with their hands and a can-do attitude. When people were able to create larger and larger pieces, people solved this by adding more manpower to lift them. 

The constant lifting and handling came with its own set of health problems. This resulted in the development of correct manual handling processes that would protect the workers. 

The people who work to install glass evolved into the profession we now know as glaziers.

What Are Glaziers?

Glaziers are the professionals who install glass. They handle all types of glass – from small panes to large windows – and put them into windows, or whatever else needs this type of material.

In some cases, they also take out old glass and dispose of it properly. This is especially important in cases where the glass is cracked or damaged.

While installation and removal are the mainstays of glaziers, they also do other tasks.

This could be anything from creating glass art to measuring and cutting glass for specific projects.

As the panes of glass and the scales of buildings got bigger, people needed to figure out a better way to handle glass. The result was glass lifting or glazing robots. 

More On These Glass Working Robots

As the name suggests, these types of robots are machines that can help with the lifting, handling, and installing of glass.

They come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the project they’re needed for. For example, some of these glass lifting robots can only lift a few hundred pounds.

Other glass working robots can lift glass that weighs a few thousand pounds! These types of robots use suction cups to grip the glass and then move it into place.

These robots were created in order to better protect workers, improve accuracy, and make installation more efficient.

The Benefits of Glazing Robots

Now that we’ve learned more about glass, glazing, and the robots that resulted from them, it is time to take a closer look at these tools and find out the many benefits they offer businesses and users.

They Keep People Safe

The most important benefit of glass working robots is that they keep people safe. This is especially important for glaziers as they often work on ladders, scaffolding, or other high places.

By using glass working robots, these workers can stay on the ground and avoid any potential accidents.

In some cases, glass working robots can even be operated remotely. This means that the operator can be in a completely different area, and far away from any dangers.

They Lessen Injuries and Accidents

Another great benefit of glass working robots is that they help to lessen injuries and accidents.

Since these machines do all the heavy lifting, there is no need for workers to put their bodies under strain. This reduces the chances of them getting hurt while working.

Furthermore, these robots take away human error that allows for the mishandling and dropping of glass which leads to injuries.

In addition, glass lifting robots are equipped with safety features that further help to protect workers. For example, some glass working robots have sensors that can detect when people or objects are in their path.

If someone does happen to get in the way, the glass working robot will stop and avoid any accidents.

They Require Less Manpower

Another great benefit of glass working robots is that they require less manpower. In most cases, all you need is one operator and one machine.

This is a big contrast to manual glass handling where you often need multiple workers to lift and install glass panes – especially if they’re large.

Not only does this save on labour costs, but it also means that businesses can get the job done with fewer people. This is especially helpful if you’re short-staffed or working on a tight deadline.

They Are Easy to Use

One of the best things about glass working robots is that they’re easy to use. Much like any other machine, these glass handling robots come with a user manual. This manual will explain how to operate the machine and what safety precautions need to be taken.

It must still be stated though that anyone who wants to handle these machines needs to go through proper training. This is essential in ensuring that they use the robot correctly and don’t do any untoward damage to the glass or the building.

With that said though, these robots are so easy to use that with just a week’s time of studying and practice, the least tech-savvy worker will get the hang of it.

They Look Professional

Glass working robots also give off a very professional look. This is especially important if you’re working on a high-profile project.

By using glass working robots, you can show your clients that you mean business and that you’re using the latest technology to get the job done.

This will give them peace of mind knowing that their project is in good hands. Not to mention, it can also help you close more deals and get more clients. When people see companies utilising state-of-the-art technologies, it sends a clear message that you know what you are doing.

They Make Installation Easier

Another great benefit of glass working robots is that they make installing glass much easier. With these machines, you don’t have to worry about lifting heavy glass panes and trying to manoeuvre them into place.

These types of robots will do all the lifting and installing for you. This not only saves time but it also makes the whole process a lot less stressful. 

They Increase Productivity

These types of glass handling robots also help to increase productivity. This is because they can handle more glass panes in a shorter amount of time.

These robots can be operated for many hours, which means that you can get more work done in a day.

This is a big contrast to manual glass handling where workers can only work for a certain number of hours. Add to this the fact that energy and effort is dictated by the size of the glass or project.

Not to mention, glass working robots don’t take breaks and they don’t need vacation days. This means that you can rely on them to get the job done, day in and day out.

They Are Upgradable and Versatile

Another great thing about glass working robots is that they’re upgradable and versatile. As technology advances, so do these glass handling machines.

This means that you can upgrade your glass working robot to the latest model when it comes out. In addition, glass working robots can also be used for a variety of tasks.

For example, some glass working robots can be used to lift and transport glass panes. Others can be used to install glass panes. There are even glass working robots that can do both.

This versatility makes glass working robots a great investment for any business.

They Are Cost-Efficient

Finally, these types of glass lifting robots are also a great investment because they’re cost-efficient. When you compare the price of these machines to the price of hiring extra workers, glazing robots are definitely the more cost-effective option.

In addition, these types of robots can be used for many years. This means that you don’t have to worry about replacing them anytime soon (given they are cared for correctly though).

Plus, glass working robots can be used for a variety of tasks. This makes them a very versatile machine that can be used for many different projects.

All in all, glass working robots are a great investment for any business that wants to increase productivity and save on labour costs.

The Downsides of Glazing Robots

Continuous Servicing

Like with any type of machinery, glass working robots will need to be serviced on a regular basis. This is because these machines have many moving parts that can wear down over time.

In addition, glass handling robots also need to be calibrated on a regular basis. This helps to ensure that they’re performing at their best and that they’re not going to damage any glass panes.

When calibrations and servicing are missed, it can result in damaged parts and the inability to use the robot. 

All this servicing and calibration can be costly and time-consuming. As such, it’s important to factor in these costs before you make the decision to purchase a glass working robot.

Limitations

Another downside of glass working robots is that they have limitations. For example, these machines can only handle glass panes of a certain size.

This means that if you have a glass pane that’s too big or too small, you’re going to need to hire a worker to handle it manually. If you don’t want to do that, then you need to have specific robots for the specific glass loads you’ll be working with.

In addition, glass working robots can only be used for certain tasks.

However, there are still some tasks that these machines cannot do. For example, glass handling robots cannot clean glass panes. This is something that will still need to be done manually.

All Workers Need to Have This Skill

If you decide to purchase a glass working robot, all your workers will need to be trained in how to use it.

This is because these machines are not easy to use and they can be dangerous if they’re not used correctly.

As such, you’ll need to make sure that all your workers are properly trained before they can use the machine.

For this point, it just means that you need to cover all the bases. If only a couple of workers have the required skills and knowledge to handle these machines, if they are sick or accidents happen, you’re left with just the machine with no one qualified to use them.

Common Glass Handling Injuries

Now that we’ve covered the benefits and disadvantages of glass working robots, it’s important to mention some of the common glass handling injuries.

When glass is being moved or installed, there is always a risk of getting many types of injuries. This is because glass is a very fragile material and it can break easily.

If glass panes are not handled properly, they can shatter and cause serious cuts. In some cases, these cuts can be so severe that they require stitches.

In addition, glass shards can also get into your eyes and cause irritation or even blindness.

For these reasons, it’s important to take proper safety precautions when working with glass. This includes wearing the proper safety gear.

A Valuable Asset

In conclusion, glass lifting robots can be a great investment for businesses that want to increase productivity and save on labour costs. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these machines need to be serviced and calibrated on a regular basis. 

In addition, glass working robots have limitations and all workers need to be properly trained in how to use them. Despite these disadvantages, glass working robots can still be a valuable asset for businesses that handle glass regularly.

Along with training for the robot, it can benefit every company to have employees trained in first aid, especially in basic wound care.

Learn more about it through CPR First Aid’s Liverpool course.

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