Pick-and-Place Robotics Implementation Under the Influence of Lean Manufacturing – A Process Model

The article seeks to develop a process model to guide research and practice in the effective integration of robotics for pick-and-place activities in manufacturing firms, where lean management tools and practices are being embraced. Utilizing a multiple case study analysis, the researchers conducted on-site visits to production facilities and analyzed 16 diverse projects, 11 coming from manufacturing companies and 5 projects provided by System Integrators, to gain heterogeneous and wide-spanning insights. The unit of analysis is the single robotic implementation, spanning across various sectors to extract patterns independently from the specific industry. These projects yielded a substantial volume of information, knowledge, and best practices related to the adoption of Robotics. Following a meticulous examination of the case studies, a process model was formulated to guide companies through decision-making, implementation, monitoring, and sustain stages in robotics introduction projects. This research disentangles the influence of lean management in ensuring the optimization of benefits derived from such projects. The process model seeks to offer practical guidance for companies approaching the complexities of robotics integration within manufacturing processes, successfully filling in the pre-existing research gap.