Industrial Robots

Industrial robots are programmable mechanical devices that contain rotary and/or prismatic joints in order to perform precise, repetitive movements. There are several basic types of industrial robots. Articulated robots have arms with three rotary joints. Cartesian robots (rectangular coordinate robots, rectilinear robots) have three prismatic joints whose axes are coincident with a Cartesian (X, Y, and Z) coordinate system. Gantry robots are a type of Cartesian robot that is suspended from an X or X/Y axis beam. Cylindrical robots operate in a cylinder-shaped space or coordinate system and have at least one rotary joint and at least one prismatic joint. Parallel robots such as hexapods have multiple arms, each of which has three concurrent prismatic joints. Selectively compliant arm for robotic assembly (SCARA) robots are cylindrical and have two parallel joints to provide compliance in one selected plane. Spherical robots have an arm with two rotary joints and one prismatic joint. The axes of a spherical robot form a polar coordinate system. 

Specifications for industrial robots include number of axes, load capacity, reach, X-axis travel, Y-axis travel, and Z-axis travel. The total number of joints determines the number of axes in which devices operate. Applying force to a prismatic joint creates a linear movement in the positive direction along the axis of translation.  The reach or work envelope determines the maximum distance that industrial robots can extend an arm to perform a task. Each type of robot has a different work envelope. For example, Cartesian robots work within a cube-shaped envelope while cylindrical robots work within a cylindrical envelope. Polar and articulated robots work, respectively, within envelopes that are partially or completely spherical. X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis travel is expressed in a variety of measurements, including inches, feet, yards, millimeters, nanometers, and miles. 

Selecting industrial robots requires an analysis of drive systems and mounting styles. Large, industrial robots often use hydraulic drive systems for improved speed and strength. By contrast, SCARA robots typically use electric drives. Smaller robots with fewer axes of movements such as pick-and-place devices use pneumatic drives. Typically, pneumatic robots are less expensive than hydraulic or electric robots. Some industrial robots mount on ceilings or walls to save space. Others are rated for cleanroom applications or can be transported easily from one location to another. Mobile devices use treads, wheels, robotic wheels, and other methods.

Industrial robots are used in a variety of industries. Typical applications include assembling, fluid dispensing, gluing, sealing, inspection, laser integration and processing, material handling, tending, palletizing, metal removal (cutting, drilling, deburring), packaging, labeling, painting, coating, and welding. Industrial robots that are used to inspect pipelines, storage tanks, and boilers are usually mobile and capable of withstanding harsh environments. Painting robots are used in the automotive and aerospace industries or when high volume, programmable, and precise painting is required.

• Force/torque sensors help industrial robots make the right moves
  Knowing what load levels robots exert is key to more repeatable, safer operation. Feedback from force/torque sensors (black cylinder mounted on arm end) gives robots the delicate touch needed for...
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• Shake hands with a robot
  Graspers that mimic human dexterity may open new doors for industrial robots. Three articulated fingers of the BarrettHand spread and conform to various shapes. The TorqueSwitch mechanism in cutaway...
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• Examining Robot Safety Standards
  ANSI R15.06-1999 is the accepted American National Standards Institute standard covering safety requirements for industrial robots and robot systems. Speaking of safety, it's safe to say that many end...
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Part Numbers for Robots