As electronics continue to shrink in size and grow in complexity, companies face growing pressure to build with speed, precision and consistency. This has only intensified the importance of streamlining production methods with advanced technologies like collaborative robots (cobots). Cobots bring precision, consistency and 24/7 uptime to tasks that are difficult, repetitive or time-consuming for human operators. In fact, cobots accounted for 11 percent of all industrial robots installed in 2023, highlighting their growing role in modern manufacturing environments.
At RiverSide Integrated Solutions (RIS), we utilize cobots to help our customers meet increasing demand. They allow us to scale production while maintaining the high standards our customers expect, especially in the manufacturing of electronic and electromechanical assemblies. But this technology isn't replacing our people. Instead, our cobots work alongside our skilled workforce to streamline complex processes, improve product quality and reduce lead times.
Here are just two examples of how we’re using cobots to drive better results for our customers:
Precision Potting—Faster, Smarter and More Consistent
Ruggedization is one of our specialties at RIS. Our customers’ products must operate reliably in harsh and dirty environments, such as those found in agriculture, defense, and industrial settings. However, potting can increase the weight of an assembly, so designs often limit potting to only the areas that absolutely need it, making accuracy and control essential.
In one case, our customer has a complex assembly that requires precise potting—some areas need to be fully protected, while others have to be left exposed. Originally, we handled this through hand-dispensing, which offered the accuracy we needed, but was vulnerable to inconsistency due to human error, shift changes and breaks.
We saw an opportunity to automate. Our engineering team developed a custom workflow that integrated a cobot with our existing potting equipment and optical inspection system. The cobot ensures the correct amount of material is dispensed at the right pressure with no variation. It utilizes vision alignment, laser height mapping and integrated scale verification to apply the same amount of potting material to the same locations, every time.
With the cobot handling the repetitive, detail-driven work, we’ve significantly reduced cycle times and increased consistency, while freeing up operators for other tasks. Based on the success of this solution, we’ve begun identifying similar opportunities across other programs.
Soldering Smarter—From 60 Minutes to 7
Soldering is another process where consistency and precision are critical, especially for highly complex assemblies. In one instance, we identified an internal process that needed refinement. Under the old process, our production workers would hand-solder a connector onto a PCB, which took anywhere between forty and sixty minutes per unit to complete and, again, was especially vulnerable to human error due to fatigue, shift changes or breaks. Our engineering team recognized this as another great opportunity to integrate our cobot into the process to make improvements.
They fitted the cobot with a soldering head and developed a program tailored to the process. They also designed custom 3D-printed fixtures to hold the board in place and manage the attached wires, keeping them clear of the soldering path while the cobot works.
The cobot begins by scanning a decal that indicates which operation to run, then uses its camera to verify that the workspace is clear and the components are properly positioned. Once the process begins, the cobot executes precise soldering movements at a consistent speed and pressure, delivering high-quality results every time.
As with the potting application, our team handles the setup and supervision while the cobot handles the repeatable work. The result is a dramatic reduction in production time while ensuring quality.
Why It Matters for Our Customers
For our OEM partners, integrating cobots into production means more than just automation. Products move from build to delivery faster, and critical tasks are executed with unmatched consistency. Quality remains high even as volumes scale, and complex assemblies become easier to manage and replicate.
Whether it's ruggedized electronics for harsh environments or intricate electromechanical systems, our cobot-enhanced workflows let us handle complexity with confidence.
At RIS, it's not just about having the latest technology; it’s about knowing how to apply it to make your products faster and more cost-effective. Our success with cobot integration has been so strong that we've now brought in a fourth cobot to continue expanding automation across new processes. We're actively exploring more ways to apply this technology to improve outcomes for our customers.
Interested in learning more about how RIS can support your production goals? Reach out today!
