Role of Industrial Robots In Global Modern Industries
What are Industrial robots?
An industrial robot is usually some hinged structure that may be configured in a variety of ways. For the most common, the robot business has specified categories, which are as follows:
- Articulated
- SCARA
- Cartesian
- Parallel (or Delta)
- Cylindrical
The constructions are composed of several rotational and linear movements or joints that are linked together. Every joint offers mobility that, when combined, allows the robot framework, or robot arm, to be positioned in a given position. Six joints, or six degrees of freedom, usually called six axes, are required to place a tool installed on the robot’s tip at any location and any angle.
As in the past, robots were required to do extremely precise jobs in a given area. However, because of ecologically conscious sensors that influence the form factor and functioning of industrial robots, the combined usage is changing drastically nowadays. These collaborative industrial robots, also known as co-bots, today work side by side plant operators, performing only a fraction of the tasks that humans accomplish, including bin picking. Sensors have made it feasible for them to function in a human-populated area while recording their surroundings. Consequently, we can collect data at every stage of the production process for complete transparency and extensive data analysis to help us make better decisions.
Usage of Industrial robots
- Arc Welding
In the 1980s, arc welding, sometimes known as robot welding, grew popular. One of the main motivations for the transition to robot welding is protecting employees from arc burns and dangerous gases.
- Welding on the Spot
Spot welding unites two touching metal surfaces bypassing a significant current across the spot, melting the metal, and forming the weld in a short amount of time (approximately ten milliseconds).
- Handling of Materials
To transport, pack, and select items, material handling robots are used. They can also automate operations such as part transference from one piece of machinery to the next.
- Machine Maintenance
The process of loading and unloading raw materials into machinery for processing, as well as monitoring the machine as it works, is known as robotic automation for machine tending
- Painting
Robotic painting is utilized in the automobile industry and several other sectors to improve its quality and uniformity. Rework is also reduced, resulting in cost savings.
- Palletizing, packing, and picking
Before the actual delivery, most items are processed many times. Picking and packing by robots improve precision and agility while cutting manufacturing costs.
- Assemblage
Robots commonly construct things, removing time-consuming and exhausting processes. Robots boost productivity while lowering expenses.
- Cutting, grinding, deburring, and polishing mechanically
Robots with dexterity give a production alternative that would otherwise be impossible to automate. The manufacture of orthopedic implants, such as knee and hip joints, is an example of this. Hand buffing and polishing a hip joint can take 45-90 minutes, but a robot will do the same job in a matter of minutes.
- Materials for gluing, adhesive sealing, and spraying
Sealer robots come with a variety of robotic arm configurations that allow them to spread adhesives to various products. The key benefit of this application is improved end product grade, speed, and consistency.
- Other Procedures
Inspection, waterjet cutting, and soldering robots are among them.
Advantages of industrial robots
Higher level of quality and consistency
When combined with other technologies such as the industrial internet of things (IIoT) or 3D printing robots, industrial robots may deliver improved product quality and more accurate and dependable procedures. Reduced cycle durations and genuine monitoring to better preventative maintenance procedures are other additional benefits.
Maximum output and productivity
An industrial robot accelerates the pace of production operations by running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Breaks and shift changes are unnecessary for robots, and robots’ agility and reliability help cut cycle time and increase output.
Added protection
Workers are less likely to be injured when robots do repetitive activities, especially when production occurs in dangerous environments. Supervisors can also monitor the procedure from afar, either online or over the phone.
Conclusion
Many manufacturing tasks are more complex to maintain by a person than by a robot. As a result, workers’ talents and knowledge may be put to better use in other areas of the organization, such as design, programming, and management.