Ever wonder how a robot arm actually works?
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When it comes to actually installing robots, even a slight knowledge of the structure and movement of industrial robot arms can go a long way toward a successful implementation. By knowing what’s going on inside the robot, you can better understand what the robot is capable of.
Robots and humans are more alike than you may think. Humans and mechanical robots—as opposite as they may seem, share the same underlying structure of links (bones) and joints. Parts that that can freely bend and move about, such as the elbow and shoulder, are the joints, and the bones connecting those joints are equivalent to a robot’s links. The principle of moving joints and transmitting power through the links is common in both humans and robots.
Robots are roughly categorized into two types according to how their links are arranged:
The human arm is categorized as a serial link since its joints—the shoulder, arm and wrist—are aligned in series. Delta robots area classified as a parallel link as their joints are aligned next to each other. Industrial robots are also classified into several categories such as vertically articulated and horizontally articulated (SCARA) depending on the way the joints move and their structure.
Now, let’s take a look at the movement of a vertically articulated robot, which has a similar mechanical structure to a human arm. A vertically articulated robot is an industrial robot with a serial link structure. It is generally composed of six joints (6 axes).
The first through third axes are the waist to the arm, and the fourth through sixth axes are the wrist to the fingertips. The first three axes carry the wrist to a specific position, and the next three axes move the wrist freely. This 6-axis construction allows robots to move freely like humans can.
Next, let’s examine the internal structure of industrial robots in detail.
The illustration below shows the interior structure of Kawasaki’s small-medium payload general-purpose robot, the R series. R series robots are active across the globe in a broad range of applications, from assembly to arc welding. Since cables and harnesses can be built inside the arm, interference with peripheral equipment can be avoided and the robot can work in a small space. Its defining feature is speedy operation that can correspond to agile movements.
In this illustration you can see a robot is made up of many different parts. Among those parts are four particularly important ones: the actuator, reduction gear, encoder and transmission.
The actuator is a component that functions as the joint of the robot. This part allows a robot to move its arm up and down or rotate, and converts energy into mechanical motions. It may be difficult to grasp this concept, but think about motors as an example of actuators. The points marked by red circles in the illustration below are the position of motors of R series:
However, simple motors such as those used in plastic model kits may not be able to execute high precision movements. That’s why we use highly functional Servo motors, which can control position and speed. The most common source of energy to power actuators is electricity, but hydraulic and pneumatic energy may also be used. Some unique hydraulic-powered actuators can generate large amounts of power while retaining shock resistance.
A reduction gear is a device that increases motor power. A motor alone is limited in the amount of power it can output. In order to generate more power, motors are used in combination with a reduction gear. The areas circled in blue in the following illustration are the reduction gears:
For example, bicycles have different sized gears in front and rear wheel. Generally, the transmission ( you’ll learn more about that below) is used to change the gears of the rear wheel. When a large gear is selected and the number of wheel rotations is minimized, pedaling becomes easier at the cost of speed. Riding up steep hills becomes much easier and output power can be increased. This is the same concept as reduction gears in industrial robot arms.
An encoder is a device that indicates the position (angle) of a motor’s rotational shaft. Having an encoder can provide tangible data about how much and in what direction the robot moves. General optical encoders get their information from a disk attached to the rotating shaft of the motor. The disk has slits at regular intervals to let light pass through. There are light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) and light receiving elements (photodiodes) on both sides of the disk are to discern between light intensities (light and dark).
When the motor rotates, the light is either blocked or passes through the slits, so the rotation angle and speed can be determined by reading the signals. This allows Servo motors to precisely control positioning and speed.
The transmission is a component that transmits the power generated by the actuators and reduction gears. The transmission is also capable of changing the direction and magnitude of power. Going back to the bicycle as an example, the chain that connects the crank to the back wheel is the transmission. Bicycles are driven by taking the rotational movement from the pedals and transferring it to the rear wheel using the transmission.
This idea is also applied to the structure of the robot. A motor used in robots is usually placed near the joints, but it can also be placed away from the joints by using transmission mechanisms such as belts and gears. Take the R series for example. These robots have compact wrists because a motor can be installed on the elbow part of the arm by the conduction mechanism.
Different tools allow humans to perform various tasks. In the case of industrial robots, swapping the device attached to the wrist makes a robot highly versatile, allowing them to take on a variety of jobs. This device is called an end effector, or end-of-arm tool (EOAT), and there are a wide range of them on the market. Some of them include grippers that lift up objects, vacuum (suction) types, and tools for specialized processes like welding and painting. Robots can perform practically any task by combining the flexible movement by the arm itself and task-specific end effectors.
In manufacturing, automation is rewriting the rulebook — Industrial robots are speeding up production worldwide, and a crucial player on the factory floor is the robotic arm.
For decades, human arms have been assembling products in factories. Now, we have industrial robotic arms doing the same job, but way faster and more precisely.
But how do robotic arms work, and how are they changing production? In this article, we’re going to dive deep into this topic — and point you in the direction of an awesome robotic arm.
We’ll cover:
First, what is a robotic arm? Think about your own arm. What can it do? It can bend, grasp objects (with the help of your hand), lift things, and move objects. The jobs performed by robot arms are not all that different, although they tend to be more efficient.
A robotic arm is a series of connected segments, rather than one solid arm. These segments are connected through "joints" or "axes". Each joint has a motor that acts like a muscle. The more joints or axes a robotic arm has, the more flexible it is, as a general rule of thumb.
More things to know:
A robotic arm’s movement is like a human’s but with way more flexibility. These arms have parts that act like the shoulder, elbow, and wrist, working together to move and grab objects.
So, how do robots move? Here’s your answer:
Robot arms, often called robotic manipulators, are a key part of industrial robots. Robotic arms generally refer to a diverse grouping of robotic arm mechanism families. While these robots share some commonalities, each has unique features making it more suited to certain jobs.
The different types of robotic arms you'll find include:
Let's look at the most common types of robotic arms today:
Picture a robot arm that's as flexible as your own; that's an articulated arm in a nutshell. It's one of the most common types in industrial automation, featuring a single mechanical arm attached to a base with a twisting joint. These robots, often with four to six joints, are incredibly flexible and capable of jobs like arc welding, assembly, material handling, and more.
Cartesian robots, also known as linear or gantry robots, move in straight lines on three different axes — up and down, in and out, and side to side. Cartesian robotic arms offer precise control and are commonly used in CNC machining and 3D printing applications.
The SCARA robot, short for Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm, is a multijober of sorts. It can move in three directions and twist around. It's lightning-fast and ideal for jobs like assembling things and stacking cases of products or goods on pallets.
Imagine a robot with a single arm that can go up and down. This robotic arm has a rotary joint at the base and can extend its arm to reach for things. Cylindrical arms are compact and perfect for assembly operations and taking care of other machines.
Also called parallel robots, delta arms are known for their incredible speed and precision. They have three arms connected to one base and are perfect for high-speed jobs in industries like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and food processing.
Also known as spherical robots, these robots have a base and an arm with one joint that moves back and forth, and two rotary joints that spin. This setup lets them work in a sphere-like work envelope. They're typically used in jobs like die casting, material handling, arc welding, and more.
For more information, please visit Robot Joint Actuator.
Not all robotic arms move the same way — some are smooth operators, while others are more rigid and specialized. The secret? Joints. Just like in the human body, different joint types give robotic arms their range of motion and flexibility.
Exploring robotic arm joints:
Robotic arms are no longer just mechanical workhorses — they’re getting smarter, more adaptable, and better at handling complex tasks. Thanks to AI, sensors, and cutting-edge control systems, modern robotic arms are learning on the job and working more efficiently than ever.
Innovation in motion:
Emerging trends:
Robotic arms are taking over the jobs that humans find repetitive, dangerous, or just plain exhausting. Whether it’s assembling products, handling delicate procedures, or moving heavy loads, these machines thrive in making industries more efficient.
Here’s where they’re making the biggest impact:
Robotic arms have fast become essential in modern times and have given various industries a major shot in the arm, making jobs quicker, more efficient, and safer.
Most industrial robotic arms have a primary goal: Handling repetitive and occasionally risky jobs that require perfect precision. From assembling intricate products to organizing our food, industrial robot arms can be programmed to carry out a wide range of functions.
Robotic arms are commonly used in manufacturing applications, where they handle jobs like:
But, robotic arms like Standard Bots’ RO1 can do much more than this — it can handle most manufacturing jobs easily, and re-adapt to a new job in a flash.
In today's ever-changing industrial landscape, robotic arms have become indispensable in multiple sectors. Not only do they change the way we work, but they also bring plenty of benefits.
The role of robotics in the industrial sector is not to replace human workers, but rather to work alongside them: Although it may seem like this will create fewer jobs for humans, in practical terms robots free up human workers to focus on jobs that require more skill.
Let’s take a look at some of the major benefits:
Robotic arms are great for automating repetitive jobs, which means human workers can dedicate their time to more complex and creative projects. This not only makes work less monotonous but also cuts down on mistakes that often occur with routine, mundane jobs - human error, in other words.
By taking on hazardous jobs, robotic arms can safeguard human workers from potential injuries. A safer work environment not only protects the well-being of employees but also minimizes potential medical and compensation costs for employers.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of robotic arms is the fact that they're tireless workers, capable of maintaining high-speed and high-precision performance 24/7. Their efficiency means more work gets done in less time, increasing overall productivity and profits.
Getting a machine to be fast and accurate at the same time is tough, but robotic arm motors have mastered this balance. They use modern programming to operate quickly without making mistakes or sacrificing precision.
This can translate into consistent and top-notch product quality that not only boosts customer satisfaction but also reduces waste and rework.
Robotic arms are also incredibly reliable, hardly ever breaking down or stopping. This means operations can keep running smoothly without costly interruptions or delays.
Another useful feature of robotic arm motors is that you can change what they do fairly easily. They're not stuck doing the same thing all the time. Depending on what a manufacturer needs, they can be reprogrammed to perfect a different set of jobs.
Some arms are designed to collaborate, while others are meant to dominate the workspace. If you're trying to decide between a cobot and a traditional robotic arm, here’s what you need to know:
Which one’s right for you? If you need flexibility, easy integration, and a human-friendly design, cobots are the move. If raw power and speed are your priorities, a traditional robotic arm might be the better fit.
The cost of industrial robotic arms can vary widely. The price can range from $25,000 to $150,000 but may increase significantly when specific features are added. Simpler single-axis robot arms can start at around $3,000, while more advanced articulated robots can exceed $500,000.
The total cost depends on the robot's type, capabilities, and any extras like controllers and software needed to make it work.
An industrial robotic arm is controlled using both hardware and software. It moves thanks to motors, like electric servo motors or hydraulic/pneumatic actuators. The robot controller sends signals to these motors, telling the arm how to move and where to go. In basic terms, it's like a remote control for the robotic arm, guiding its actions.
At their core, robots tackle repetitive, boring, and time-consuming jobs, all while feeding us essential data to make everything run even smoother.
In a nutshell, robotic arms have become indispensable tools in modern manufacturing. Taking cues from the flexibility and mechanics of human arms, the types of robotic arms are wide-ranging and incredibly versatile.
But, of course, the crux of the matter is choosing a robotic arm that serves your purposes, and that’s why we recommend that you keep reading.
RO1 is the six-axis cobot upgrade your shop’s been waiting for:
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