Optimisation of compressed air and electricity consumption in a complex robotic cell

Abstract

Energy conservation of a complex robotic cell can be achieved in many different ways. Parameters related to different utilities that are used in complex robotic cell could be easily varied. Various utilities and various parameters should be observed as a part of an integral approach. Naturally, it is required to have in mind the productivity and efficiency of the entire robotic cell. This study presents the optimisation of a complex robotic cell with installed electric and pneumatic devices. The presented methodology involves three key steps: (1) an identification of possible approaches in complex robotic cell optimisation; (2) an identification of parameters of influence on electricity and compressed air consumption; and (3) experimental evaluation of the proposed approaches with a recommendation for the optimal one, meeting the requirements of maximal productivity and energy efficiency. The identified approaches are optimisation of parameters influencing electricity and compressed air consumption in parallel; serial, where parameters of influence on the compressed air consumption are optimised firstly and then parameters that influence the electricity consumption, and serial with inverted order than previous. After experimental evaluation of the proposed methodologies, the following method could be recommended as an optimal: establishing the primary criterion (maximal productivity, minimal manufacturing costs, etc); optimisation of parameters that influence electricity consumption and then parameters related to compressed air consumption.