Summers are becoming longer, hotter, and more frequent. In 2024, France recorded an average of 42 days of heatwave, compared to 22 in 2010 (Météo France).
For highly automated industries, this climatic shift carries real consequences: industrial robots, controllers, switch cabinets and sensors are directly exposed to these disruptions.
What are the actual risks? How can they be mitigated? And what can be done to avoid downtime in the middle of production? Here’s an explanation.
Extreme temperatures: silent enemies of robots
Industrial robots—even the robust kind—operate within specified temperature ranges, generally between 5 °C and 45 °C for standard series like the KUKA KR QUANTEC or KR CYBERTECH. Beyond that, reliability starts to decline.
Direct consequences observed in hot environments:
- Overheating of electrical cabinets → leading to power cuts or voltage drops
- Degradation of axis lubricants → reducing the service life of gearboxes
- Malfunctions of temperature, vision or position sensors
- False alarms triggered by exceeded thermal thresholds (drives, inverters)
- Unexpected stops in the middle of production
📉 According to a study by Schneider Electric, every 10 °C increase above the nominal temperature halves the lifespan of electronic components.
Refurbished robots: a particular point of concern
Reconditioned industrial robots face the same thermal constraints as new equipment. However, they are sometimes installed in less air‑conditioned workshops or on older production lines, where risks are heightened if maintenance isn’t properly adapted.
👉 A thorough reconditioning process—including inspection of internal fans, verification of thermal seals, and replacement of lubricants—is essential to ensure reliability in hot environments.
Best practices to prevent heat‑related incidents
To maintain performance, profitability and reliability, consider these key measures:
🔧 Enhanced preventive maintenance in summer: check internal temperatures, clean filters, and verify ventilation.
🌡️ Continuous temperature monitoring using sensors and automatic alerts.
❄️ Localized air conditioning of electrical cabinets, even in semi‑open environments.
🧪 Oil and grease analysis after prolonged heat peaks.
📊 Annual audit of equipment exposed to significant thermal variations.
Tailored support, even during a heatwave
At Robotique Concept, we offer maintenance contracts specifically designed for thermal constraints. Our on‑site interventions include:
- Checking the actual temperature ranges of KUKA robots
- Verifying ventilation systems and internal thermal regulation
- Making retrofit recommendations for aging installations
🛠️ We intervene on site—even during critical periods—with a comprehensive diagnosis and full traceability of all actions taken.
Conclusion: anticipate to avoid downtime
Heatwaves are no longer exceptional. They demand a new level of rigor in managing a robotic fleet, especially for reconditioned or long‑serving equipment.
A reliable robot is a well‑maintained robot—no matter the outside temperature.