Introduction to industrial robots

Industrial robot is a multi-purpose, reprogrammable and widely used multi joint manipulator or multi degree of freedom machine device in the industrial field. It has certain automaticity and can realize various industrial processing and manufacturing functions by relying on its own power energy and control ability. Industrial robots are widely used in electronic, logistics, chemical and other industrial fields.

Industrial robots usually have three or more programmable axes. In order to adapt to different purposes, the mechanical interface of the last axis of the robot is usually a connecting flange, which can be connected with different tools or end actuators.

Common types of industrial robots

According to different application fields and uses, industrial robots are generally divided into welding robots, palletizing robots, assembly robots, spraying robots, handling robots and so on.

welding robot

It refers to the industrial robot engaged in welding (including cutting and spraying), and the welding clamp or welding (cutting) gun are installed on the connecting flange at the end of the robot to enable it to carry out welding, cutting or thermal spraying.

Welding robot has the characteristics of stable performance, large workspace, fast movement speed and strong load capacity. Welding robots are generally divided into hollow welding robots and general-purpose welding robots. The general-purpose 6-axis robot is generally used as the body of the general-purpose welding robot, while the hollow welding robot is a model specially used for welding automation, and its structure can be directly installed with welding machines and other equipment for supporting welding.

No matter what kind of industrial robot, as long as it has the welding process and the system has the welding parameter setting, it can be basically applied to the welding field. The selection of the appropriate welding robot is based on the actual production situation, combined with the product situation, specifications, welding requirements, etc.

Robot Palletizer

It refers to the industrial robot engaged in palletizing operation, which arranges and stacks the objects loaded into containers on pallets or other vehicles according to certain rules. The flexible grasping operation is realized by installing different types of grasping mechanisms on the end flange.

The palletizing robot generally adopts coordinate robot, which has the advantages of simple structure, low failure rate, reliable performance and simple maintenance. Generally, the 4-axis form is often adopted, which has the advantages of small overall floor area, strong applicability and low energy consumption. It only needs to locate and grasp the starting point and placement point, and the teaching method is simple and easy to understand.

The application of palletizing robot is relatively specific. Generally, it can only carry out plane handling and palletizing, and can produce automatic palletizing program through software setting.

Assembly robot

The structural types of industrial robots designed to complete assembly operations include horizontal joint type, rectangular coordinate type, multi joint type and cylindrical type. Compared with general industrial robots, assembly robots have the characteristics of high precision, high compliance and small working range.

Spraying robot

It refers to an industrial robot that can automatically spray paint or spray other coatings.

Spraying Robots mostly adopt 5 or 6-DOF joint structure. The arm has large motion space and can move in complex trajectory. The wrist of more advanced spraying robot adopts flexible wrist, which can not only bend in all directions, but also rotate, and its action is similar to human wrist.

The spraying robot has the characteristics of large flexibility, large working range, pluggable structure and modular design, and low requirements for the repeated positioning accuracy of the robot.

Handling robot

It refers to an industrial robot that can carry out automatic handling operations.

The handling robot is basically the same as the palletizing robot. The main difference is that the handling robot adopts more 6-axis form, which is characterized by fast motion speed and high flexibility.

The general handling robot combines the conveying line and processing equipment to complete the material grasping and handling operations, so as to realize unmanned production and transportation.

Industrial robot selection

Industrial robots are usually composed of robot body and end effector. In the application process of industrial robot, the robot body is usually selected according to the use conditions, and the end effector is customized for different use industries and environments.

For the selection of robot body, the main selection parameters are application scene, degree of freedom, repeated positioning accuracy, payload, working radius and body weight.

Application scenario

For different application scenarios, the adapted robots are also different. Multi axis robot, cooperative robot, horizontal joint robot and parallel robot can give full play to their working ability in their respective application scenarios.

freedom

The number of axes configured by the robot is directly related to its degrees of freedom, and the number of axes generally depends on the application scenario. The different degrees of freedom affect the application cost of the robot. If the cost allows, a little more axes can improve the overall compatibility.

Repeat positioning accuracy

Generally, it refers to the accuracy of the robot reaching the same position every time when it completes routine tasks. The repeated positioning accuracy affects the accuracy and stability of the robot. Different application scenarios have different requirements for the repeated positioning accuracy of the robot. For example, the stacking of large materials generally does not require high positioning accuracy, but the assembly robot used in some processing and manufacturing industries needs high repeated positioning accuracy.

Payload

The maximum load that the robot can carry in its workspace, which includes the weight of the end effector installed on the end shaft of the industrial robot. Due to the different position and distance within the robot workspace, the actual load capacity of the robot will be different. Therefore, in the selection process, about 20% allowance will be reserved for the robot load.

Working radius

For the horizontal motion range of the robot, each company will give the action range diagram of the corresponding robot, so as to judge whether the robot is suitable for a specific application.

Body weight

The weight of the robot body is an important factor in its selection and application. If the industrial robot must be installed on a customized machine or guide rail, it is necessary to know the weight of the robot body to design the corresponding support.

Industrial robot applications

With the development of intelligent manufacturing, the demand for automation is increasing. Industrial robots are widely used in more and more industries. Industrial robots are integrated with various machine tools and lines to improve production efficiency and safety.

Robot technology is a typical representative of advanced manufacturing technology and automation equipment. Intelligent industrial equipment has become the basis for the transformation and upgrading of the global manufacturing industry. The integrated application of industrial machine technology and MES / WMS makes intelligent manufacturing, digital workshop and intelligent factory from concept to reality.