Idustrial Robot Application

           What should you know about industrial robots? Depends on reasons why you are searching for this information. However, in this article I'll try to address the most common questions and issues regarding robots used in industrial environment.

Components

           A typical industrial robot consists of a tool, an industrial robotic arm, a control cabinet, a control panel, a teach pendant, as well as some other peripheral equipment. So what is what?

A tool (also called the end effector) is a device designed for a specific task for example – welding or painting. The robot arm, basically, is the thing that moves the tool. Beware! It's important to understand that not every industrial robot resembles an arm. As I will explain later, there are different types of different robot structures.

A control cabinet resembles robot's brains. A control panel and a teach pendant makes up the user environment. These parts usually come together.

A control panel is intended to be used by operator to do some routine tasks for example - changing programs or controlling the peripheral devices. Whereas the teach pendant is usually used only in time of programming, although, it can be left connected to the control cabinet if additional memory is needed to execute a program.

Application

         When should you use an industrial robot instead of a human worker?

         Ideally, this should be a win-win situation. You know that there are jobs that no one really wants to do. These are those repetitive, tedious jobs that require a lot of monotonous action from the side of a worker, like picking something from one conveyor to another.

         If it is always the same task you could use an automated solution tailored specifically for your needs. What if it's not the case? The situation where a factory needs to be more and more flexible is becoming more and more common. In these cases a re-programmable robot which can be used for different tasks is the right solution.

          Also, you should consider a "robot worker" for those tasks that are hazardous for a human worker. For example - surface treatment with dangerous chemicals and work in the environment that is hazardous. In many cases like the ones mentioned it is wiser and cheaper in the long term to use a robot than to hire a worker.

          And of course, there are jobs that can't be done by a human. Like lifting very heavy weights or working in conditions unsuitable for human life. Again, specific automated solutions can be applied in many of these cases. However, if flexibility is required then a robot should be considered.

Here's a list of most often seen robot applications:

• Arc welding
• Assembly
• Coating
• Deburring
• Die Casting
• Moulding
• Material handling
• Picking
• Palletizing
• Packaging
• Painting
• Spot welding

What to consider when choosing a robot? (At least)

          What's the task at hand?Exactly, you should evaluate what will be the task assigned to the robot. This may seem silly at first. You probably already know that you need an arc welding robot for example. Anyway, you may want to consider it more deeply.

          Maybe there's a probability of expanding? If so, maybe later there could be other or slightly different tasks that could be assigned to the same robot? Maybe the same industrial robotic arm can be used with different tools at different times?

          You should consider opportunities like that, it can save you (or your employer) a lot of money.

Technical support.Is a dealer located nearby? Probably you will need to train employees, get software updates, warranty maintenance etc.The dealer should be located as near to you as possible. The farther your robot's dealer is located, the longer will be your down-time if maintenance is needed and the higher will be the costs of personnel training.

          Of course, there could be exceptions. Maybe you have a specific task and the only ones that could provide a robot needed are far away.Otherwise, you should really choose the robot integrator that's the closest to you.

Your factory.You really shouldn't forget to check if all needed facilities for a specific robot to operate are present in your plant. Where will you place it? Are all needed connections available at the future robot site? These could include electricity, IOs, Ethernet, Serial etc.

           The same thing I mentioned in a task part should also be considered when thinking about technical support and your factory - try to evaluate the future possibilities.

Manufacturers.

Here is a list of most known industrial robot manufacturers:

• ABB
• Adept Technology
• Asyst Technologies
• Brooks automation
• DENSO robotics
• Epson robots
• FANUC robotics
• Intelitek
• Kawasaki heavy industries
• KUKA Robotics
• Yaskawa-Motoman
• Nachi robotic systems
• Reis robotics
• Toshiba Machine