BHS Robotics goes beyond corrugated packaging to automate everything from welding to palletizing. Their systems keep plants running smoothly in industries like auto, retail, and logistics.
Great for high-volume setups? Absolutely. But smaller businesses or anyone that needs a jack-of-all-trades robot might not find the perfect match here — which is why we’ll provide alternatives.
We’ll cover:
- Overview
- Key features
- Performance
- Applications
- Advantages
- Limitations
- Comparisons
What is BHS Robotics?
BHS Robotics was formerly known as Chicago Electric and is now aligned with BHS Corrugated in North America. Chicago Electric had been in the automation game for longer than most of us have been alive (since 1910) but was purchased in 2021.
Their bread and butter? Making integrated automation systems that aren’t just plug-and-play — they’re precision-made to slide into your industry like they’ve been there all along.
They do a lot: From corrugated packaging, retail logistics, or heavy-duty manufacturing, their setups focus on making your shop floor smoother than a freshly Zamboni’d rink.
Top robots and systems from BHS Robotics
What makes BHS Robotics an automation stalwart?
Here’s some of what they’ve got going on:
- Panel-handling: Their Robotic Panel Handling System tackles panels up to 35 feet long. It flips, stacks, and wraps these massive pieces of material faster than you can say “production bottleneck.”
- PalletBot: Based on the Yaskawa HC20 robot, this guy can handle payloads up to 20 kg (40 lbs.) with a reach of 1700 mm — perfect for palletizing two full 48"x48" pallets up to 60 inches tall.
- Quick pick bin magic: Their AutoStore 3D Vision-Guided Bin Picking System slashes pick times to just 4 seconds, handling parts up to 20 lbs. Double picks? Missed grabs? Not a chance, thanks to integrated camera inspection.
- Custom tool options: From suction cups to grippers, they’ve got the attachments to make sure your robot is well-equipped to do what it needs to do.
Performance and capabilities
BHS Robotics has some pretty good integrated bots.
Here’s why their systems consistently get good results:
- High accuracy: Their robots don’t just move things — they place them with precision down to fractions of a millimeter. Perfect for industries where accuracy is a total must-have.
- Ready to hustle: With continuous operation as the focus, these systems keep running through long shifts and the kind of grueling work that would break a regular human.
- Tackling heavy work: Oddly shaped materials, awkward packaging sizes, or whatever chaos your workflow throws at them — these systems adapt and keep moving.
Applications of BHS Robotics
Where do these systems thrive?
Pretty much anywhere precision and efficiency matter:
- Auto manufacturing: Putting car frames together, welding, assembling panels, or keeping production lines humming along.
- Corrugated packaging: Cutting, stacking, palletizing — you name it, they handle it like they’ve been doing it for 114 years (because they have).
- Retail logistics: With their bin-picking setups, warehouse fulfillment gets a speed boost that rivals Amazon’s Prime Day.
- Medical manufacturing: Precision tools and devices demand reliable automation, and BHS has a really solid track record.
Advantages of BHS Robotics
What’s the upside of teaming up with BHS?
Here’s the scoop:
- Industry-specific knowledge: They don’t do “generic” — they tailor systems for what your industry actually needs.
- Better productivity, less stress: Automated operations cut downtime and keep things moving like clockwork. This leads to more productivity overall.
- Long-term reliability: With over a century of experience and partnerships with the likes of Yaskawa and ABB, you’re in good hands.
Limitations of BHS Robotics
But hey, nobody’s perfect:
- Hefty upfront investment: High-quality systems don’t come cheap, and smaller companies might feel the pinch. With the price of the robot, plus the integration, training, etc., you’ll have to budget at least tens of thousands of dollars. The Yaskawa HC20 alone (used in the PalletBot) will cost you over $55000.
- Focused scope: If you’re looking for a do-it-all robot, their specialized systems might not fit the bill. They have something for everyone, yes, but their systems don’t exactly scream “flexibility.”
- Learning curve: Operators might need training to master these high-tech setups. And training — you’ve guessed it — also costs money.
How does BHS Robotics stack up to other solutions?
- RO1 by Standard Bots: This six-axis cobot arm does it all — welding, assembly, material handling — with a payload of 18kg and a price starting at $5/hour. Need flexibility, precision, and something easy to use, with AI capabilities to boot? RO1 is your answer.
- ABB Robotics: A solid choice for general industrial automation but doesn’t dive as deep into specific industries like corrugated packaging. They’ve got a wide range of options, but you’ll need a robotics integrator to get the most out of them.
- FANUC material handling bots: Reliable and precise, but the integration process can be more complex compared to BHS’ ready-made approach.
Summing Up
BHS Robotics knows its strengths and plays to them, rocking out in corrugated packaging, automotive, and other heavy-duty applications.
If you’re in one of their niche industries and have the budget, they’re hard to beat.
But if you need something more flexible — or budget-friendly — you might want to check out the competition.
Next Steps with RO1 by Standard Bots
If you’re ready to explore automation that’s accessible and powerful, RO1 is the six-axis cobot arm designed to elevate your business operations:
- Affordable and versatile: RO1 offers best-in-class capabilities at half the purchase price of comparable robots. Not ready to buy? Leasing starts at just $5/hour.
- Precision and strength: With a repeatability of ±0.025 mm and an 18 kg payload, RO1 handles everything from assembly and welding to material handling effortlessly.
- AI-driven and user-friendly: Featuring AI capabilities comparable to GPT-4 — RO1’s intuitive, no-code setup makes it easy to program and scale.
- Safety-first design: Equipped with machine vision and collision detection, RO1 operates confidently alongside your team without barriers.
Schedule your risk-free, 30-day onsite trial today and experience how RO1 elevates your shop floor with cutting-edge automation.
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