Types of industrial robots & their different uses

As technology advances, there is a significant increase in its use in different industry sectors. One industry where there has been steady growth is robotic technology for manufacturing plants. This type of technology has made it easier for manufacturers to complete repetitive and strenuous tasks to create efficiency and higher yield.

 

In the 1960s, the first industrial robot was introduced and implemented within the motor industry in the form of a robotic die-casting mould that assisted with the dangerous task of releasing hot auto parts into vats of cooling liquid before it moved along the assembly line to workers. This meant that the manufacturer didn’t have to halt the assembly to wait for these items to cool off naturally and made it safer for workers to complete their tasks.

 

Introducing industrial robots to your manufacturing process has the potential to be exceedingly cost-effective and optimises the speed of production. How much a robot solution will benefit your business will greatly depend on your need and the different types of robots available to you. There are many industrial robot solutions available and knowing their uses will help inform your decision when you opt to go the automation route.

 

Types of industrial robots

An industrial robot is described as an “automatically controlled, reprogrammable, multipurpose manipulator, programmable in three or more axes, which can either be fixed or mobile for use in industrial automation applications. It forms an extension of your assembly line that aids in production and, ultimately, efficiency and profitability. The most used is the robotic arm, which is a stationary robot that is bolted to a surface to perform repetitive tasks such as handling and stacking. There are five different types of robots available with different uses to choose from based on your requirements. These are:

 

Cartesian robots

Cartesian robots work on three linear axes, operating forwards and backwards, up and down, and side to side. They operate on the Cartesian Coordinate system (X, Y, and Z). This means that they perform at a ninety-degree plane that offers flexibility and precision. They are generally used for material handling, packaging, drilling, 3D printing, and storage and retrieval. They are meant for simple tasks as they have simpler controls but can deliver higher accuracy. They are the commonly used robot as they address most needs in the production line to perform consistent repetitive tasks. 

 

SCARA robots

Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm (SCARA) robots are used for assembly applications and specialises in lateral movement. They operate on two parallel rotary joints. Although they are faster than cartesian robots, they are less precise which makes them less suitable for material handling. They are also commonly used for assembly applications. They are rigid in their vertical plane, which is why they are deemed ‘selective compliance’. This is helpful for fitting parts in single planes such as circuit boards as it requires some rigidity which other robots can’t deliver. However, their design doesn’t allow for high weight limits and has limited freedom of movement, which means that it has limited applications.

 

Articulated robots

Although costly compared to other robots, these have more flexibility in movement and can perform a broader range of tasks. They resemble a human arm analogous to a shoulder, elbow, and wrist. They pivot six degrees of freedom, giving it a range of motion that is suited for almost any task. They are generally used in packaging, painting, metal casting, welding, machine tending, and material handling. It operates with ten joints which gives it a smoother motion to perform more dynamic tasks. The robotic arm can be attached to a gripper to perform handling tasks with suction or hand-like gripping tools.

 

Delta robots

These spider-like robots are typically mounted above a workspace for quick and accurate motions. They are made from jointed parallelograms connected to a base. It has a light design, but has a limited weight-load, which means that they are better suited for smaller tasks. They are well-suited for tasks where they have to pick up small items and are mostly used in the manufacturing of food, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. They are more specialised and have limited ability compared to other robots.

 

Cylindrical robots

Well-suited to cramped spaces, these robots provide rotational and linear motion through rotary and prismatic joints. They have a compact design which means they can easily be incorporated on the production line. They are commonly used for simple assembly, coating, and machine-tending.

 

Uses of industrial robots

Industrial robots were developed with intent in mind. From simple actions such as robotic arms used to transfer items or finished products, to more advanced robots that perform actions with precision, such as painting or welding. Here is what robots can be used for in manufacturing:

 

●      Arc welding

●      Spot welding

●      Materials handling

●      Machine tending

●      Painting

●      Picking, packing, and palletising

●      Assembly

●      Mechanical cutting, grinding, deburring, and polishing

●      Glueing, adhesive sealing, and spraying materials

●      Waterjet cutting

 

Finding the right robot for your needs will be determined by the task you have in mind and your budget. When looking at incorporating a robot in your business you need to do your research and speak to experts, like Yaskawa, to help you decide.

 

Yaskawa’s robotic palletizers

We are a trusted partner and leader in the manufacturing of robotic solutions. It involves flexibility through 2D and 3D vision software as well as specialised software and tooling to enable customisation for speed, safety, accuracy, and maximum productivity. We can also provide you with the necessary training to use your robot to its full potential. Contact us for more info.