Choosing the right robotic design
Sep 18, 2013
Your application depends on the correct robotic design for the increase of output for manufacturers. Many industrial robotic companies are helping to create perfect robots to help improve the speeds and productivity on production lines.
Robots are designed for a multitude of purposes. Depending on the specific purpose for which a robot will be used, the inherent design is essential for proper function.
The robotics design process begins with defining the problem or the task for which the robot will be used. The specific requirements and purpose of construction must be addressed before a design can be created. Next, research occurs to identify details of the task and practical functions, like how the robot will move, manipulate objects, sense, and obtain intelligence. A prototype can be created at this point to test and troubleshoot the design. Then, robot construction can commence, and after it is built, it must be programmed, tested, and evaluated. If the robot accomplishes its designated tasks, the design was a success.
The design of industrial robots is crucial to speed up production and output for manufacturers. Two of the oldest problems for industrial robots that needed to be addressed were the time it takes to engineer the robot dressout, and the downtime caused when the dressout is disrupted by contact with plant equipment. Fanuc’s design team solved these problems with the evolutionary design of the M‑20iA due to its hollow upper arm and wrist. This allows the utilities to be contained within the arm, eliminating dressout issues. Since the dressout and control boxes can fit within the robot arm, offline simulations benefit as well. This design does not require any of the robot’s performance specifications to be sacrificed.
Another issue industrial robots face is interference between robot tooling and the upper arm. Motoman addresses this issue by equipping their MH5F and MH5LF robot models with a slim arm. This design also improves the B‑axis range of motion while shortening the distance between the B‑axis and the T‑axis. This provides increased carrying capacity for the main functions of the models, which include assembly, handling, machine tending, and packaging.
KUKA Robots are featured in late 2013 in the Design Museum’s exhibition “The Future is Here.” This exhibition explores what drives innovation and new manufacturing techniques. The KUKA exhibit features two AGILUS robots working together.
Some of the more interesting robotic designs developed include the Humanoid Ever‑2 Android. It is a robot with the shape of a person that moves its entire body, makes facial expressions, and speaks. It can read to children and sing. The T‑Rot Robotic Bartender recognizes speech, picks up delicate items by adjusting its grip, and delivers items it is asked to get. The Waseda University Flautist Robot actually plays the flute with a perfect rendition of “Flight of the Bumblebee.”
Robots.com is a certified integrator of industrial robots and can help you choose the right one for your facility. Contact us today online or at 877−762−6881 for more information about which robotic design is best for you.
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