Robotic Assembly of Steel Pool Panels Helps Pool Manufacturer Control Cost, Labor Issues
Robotic assembly supports the production of in‑ground swimming pools, helping streamline operations amid labor shortages.
Challenges
- Labor shortage causing staffing problems
- Rising costs
- Manual assembly could cause consistency issues
Results
Higher consistency of quality panels produced
Allows employees to be reallocated to other areas and tasks
Efficiency keeps production costs low for competitive pricing
Story
Latham Pools is the largest manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia and New Zealand. The company manufactures steel wall pool panels in their Fort Wayne, Indiana plant. Even though the facility had not previously used automation, the company sought out a robotic assembly process in response to labor shortages and rising costs. In early 2023, FANUC ASI KC Robotics installed six FANUC R-2000iC/165F and one FANUC R-2000iC/210F robots to create an end-to-end automated pool panel assembly line. This has created an efficient, less labor-reliant solution that frees up employees to do other tasks as well as helps the company keep costs low and remain profitable.
The whole experience working with FANUC has been fantastic. The equipment has been reliable. The service has been great. And the training they provide at their Michigan facility has been outstanding as well.
Bill Wentz Manager, Manufacturing Engineering – Latham PoolFANUC Products Used
R-2000iC/165F
The FANUC R‑2000iC/165F is a 6 axis material handling robot capable of delivering excellent cycle times, especially spot welding automotive applications.
- Max Payload:
- 165 kg
- Reach:
- 2655 mm
R-2000iC/210F
The FANUC R‑2000iC/210F is a 6 axis material handling robot ideally suited to any number of heavy handling jobs on almost any application.
- Max Payload:
- 210 kg
- Reach:
- 2655 mm
Meet KC Robotics, FANUC Authorized System Integrator
KC Robotics empowers manufacturers to overcome production challenges and create consistently better products—faster. As a robotics system integrator, KC Robotics provides custom solutions and creative applications, with design, engineering, build, and integration services to meet customers’ needs. With over 30 years’ experience in the robotics industry, KC Robotics has the expertise and financial stability to design and engineer in-house, take on unusual challenges, and ensure each system complies with RIA safety standards.
About Latham Pool
Latham is the largest designer, manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia and New Zealand with over six decades of experience at the center of the backyard lifestyle. Every day, families in North America, Europe and Australia enjoy the Latham pool experience. And each year, thousands more join them. Latham is an established provider with a proven history of quality and customer satisfaction. When it comes to quality, selection, simplicity and support, Latham is The Pool Company.
