Interest in industrial robotics started way back in the 1970s with ABB Robotics and Kuka Robotics bringing robots to the European market in 1973. ABB Robotics (formerly Asea) introduced IRB 6, among the world’s first commercially available all-electric micro-processor-controlled robot. The first two IRB 6 robots were sold to Magnusson in Sweden for grinding and polishing pipe bends and were installed in production in January 1974. In 1973 Kuka Robotics built its first robot, known as Famulus, also one of the first articulated robots to have six electromechanically driven axes.

The technology is still fairly new in the Middle East but is expected to pick up as the UAE-based company, DigiMatrix Technologies, in association with the German Kuka, has launched robotic solutions to the regional market.

The technology was introduced in January this year and the company has been receiving a very good response from the market, according to Bilal Al Hattab, managing director, DigiMatrix Technologies.

INDUSTRIAL FIRMS TARGETED

With this product the company is targeting industrial companies with huge capacities in order to help firms reduce labour and increase efficiency.

“Our robotics can replace any job where human beings are required.  We have created solutions for engraving, painting and cutting. We are getting very good feedback from the market as our solutions help reduce overhead costs and increase efficiency. We are lucky as we are the first ones to launch this and many people will follow,” said Al Hattab.

“Our main customers are from the stone and marble and fibreglass industries. We have also entered steel and metal fabrication, aluminium cladding and the woodworking industry. We have supplied our technology to companies in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Soon we will be supplying to companies in Qatar and Oman.”

HARD WORK

Al Hattab observed it is not easy to develop technology. “I have been in the industry for 10 years and was watching the market very closely. I realised that companies were facing many problems, including finding skilled labour. So they were looking for more automation solutions. I had seen a programme on television regarding automation so I decided to develop the solution. It took us over a year and a half to come up with our technology for which we took help from companies from Germany and the UK,” the official recalled.

Al Hattab (centre, second row, with an arm around an employee) posing with his staff at the Dubai WoodShow

“Our technology has helped companies increase their capacity by 40-50 per cent.”

Currently the company is developing mobile robots that can be used for moving products in shopping centres and big warehouses.  It is also working on robots to handle production lines and robots that can be used by courier and shipping companies.

“We are also looking at working with schools and universities to educate students. Today, even a three-year-old knows how to use an I-pad. We wish to give students a platform to learn and be aware of the latest technologies,” Al Hattab said.

Established in 2005, DigiMatrix Technologies started operations as a technologies and machinery supplier in the Middle East, Africa and CIS regions.

DIGIROB OPTIONS

Its latest technology, DigiRob, is available in a number of models and options to meet the requirements of a wide range of industries. These include the following:

• DigiRob Engraver DGRG series for 2D/3D/4D engravings on wood, metal, foam, PU foam, marble, stones and even chocolate and ice. It can be used for moulding, modelling, sculpturing, interior and exterior decorations and furniture

• DigiRob Laser DGRL series for metal cutting and welding. It uses an advanced fibre laser-head or plasma-head to cut almost all kinds of metals and steel for fabrication, and also offers advanced solutions to weld all kinds of metals with high efficiency, speed and safety

 • DigiRob Plasma DGRP for mechanised cutting applications

• DigiRob Waterjet DGRW range for automation solutions

• DigiRob Painter DGRT series for a wide range of painting jobs including ones on cars, wood, metals, fibreglass, furniture and decorative items. There are also grinding and polishing options for automated production lines

MOVING AHEAD

Commenting on the company’s future and its expansion plans, Al Hattab said: “We are looking at opening a facility in Saudi Arabia. We are also investing more in the UAE on warehousing and research facilities and we are expanding our R& D department. We are also going to expand our office in the UK to expand into Europe.”

The company is also looking at setting up a facility to train designers. “We train our customers. We send our engineers not only to install machines but also to teach customers how to operate and provide maintenance.

“After-sales service is very critical as it helps in building a good image for the company. It is not enough to offer quality products if there is no after-sales service. We have a team of engineers available 24X7 to assist customers,” said Al Hattab.

“In the region, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar are doing well and Jordan and Kuwait are slowly picking up. We are focussing on African markets where there is a lot of potential as currently there are not many production lines.”