9 practical parameters for industrial robot selection
- 1. C&T RF Antennas Inc www.ctrfantennasinc.com coco@ctrfantennasinc.com Please Contact us for more information, thank you. Coco Lu Mob & Wechat: (+86)13412239096 9 Practical Parameters For Industrial Robot Selection For veterans in the automation industry, senior mechanical and electrical engineers, choosing the right robot may be a simple job. But for designers or factories that are planning to buy and import robots for the first time, they may be a little confused. The following discusses how to choose a suitable industrial robot from 9 professional parameters. 1. Application First of all, the most important source is to evaluate the imported robots, what kind of applications, and what processes are used. If the application process needs to be coordinated by the machine beside the manpower, for the common semi-automatic line of human-machine mixing, especially when the position or displacement line needs to be changed frequently, and the occasion with a new type of torque sensor, the cooperative robot (Cobots) should be a good option. If you are looking for a compact pick & place robot, you may want to choose a horizontal joint robot (Scara). If you are looking for small objects and fast pick-and-place, the parallel robot (Delta) is the most suitable for such needs. In the following discussion, we will focus on the vertical joint multi-axis robot (Multi-axis). This robot can be adapted to a very large range of applications. From picking and unloading to palletizing, as well as spraying, deburring, welding, and other special processes. Now, industrial robot manufacturers basically have corresponding robot solutions for each application process.
- 2. C&T RF Antennas Inc www.ctrfantennasinc.com coco@ctrfantennasinc.com Please Contact us for more information, thank you. Coco Lu Mob & Wechat: (+86)13412239096 All you need to do is clarify which job you want the robot to do for you, and choose the most suitable model from different categories. Robots referred to in the factory 2. Payload The payload is the maximum load that the robot can carry in its workspace. It ranges from, for example, 3Kg to 1300Kg. If you want the robot to finish moving the target workpiece from one station to another, you need to pay attention to adding the weight of the workpiece and the weight of the robot claw to its workload. In addition, it is particularly important to note that the load curve of the robot, the actual load capacity will vary at different distances in the spatial range. 3. Degrees of freedom (number of axes) The number of axes configured by the robot is directly related to its degrees of freedom. If it is for a simple straight-to-go situation, such as taking from one belt line to another, a simple 4-axis robot is enough. However, if the application scenario is in a small workspace, and the robot arm needs a lot of twisting and turning, a 6-axis or 7-axis robot will be the best choice. The number of axes generally depends on the application. It should be noted that, as long as the cost allows, the selection of a larger number of axes is not a problem in terms of flexibility. This is convenient for the subsequent reuse of the transformation robot to another application process, which can adapt to more work tasks instead of finding that the number of axes is not enough. Robot manufacturers tend to use slightly different axis or joint names. Basically, the first joint (J1) is the one closest to the robot base. The next joints are called J2, J3, J4, and so on until they reach the end of the wrist. Other Yaskawa/Motoman companies use letters to name the axes of their robots. 4. Maximum operating range When evaluating the target application, you should understand the maximum distance the robot needs to reach. Choosing a robot is not based solely on its payload-it also needs to consider the exact distance it reaches. Each company will give a map of the corresponding robot's operating range, from which it can be judged whether the robot is suitable for a specific application. The horizontal movement range of the robot, pay attention to the non-working area of the robot in the vicinity and behind. The measurement of the maximum vertical height of the robot is the distance (Y) from the lowest point that the robot can reach (often below the robot base) to the maximum height that the wrist can reach. The maximum horizontal actuation distance is the distance (X) from the center of the robot base to the center of the furthest point that the wrist can reach horizontally. 5. Repeatability Similarly, this factor also depends on your application. Repeatability can be described as the robot's ability to complete routine tasks every time it reaches the same location. Generally between ±0.05mm and ±0.02mm, even more precise. For example, if you need your robot to assemble an electronic circuit board, you may need a super-precision repeating
- 3. C&T RF Antennas Inc www.ctrfantennasinc.com coco@ctrfantennasinc.com Please Contact us for more information, thank you. Coco Lu Mob & Wechat: (+86)13412239096 precision robot. If the application process is relatively rough, such as packing, palletizing, etc., the industrial robot does not need to be so precise. On the other hand, the requirements for the selection of robot accuracy in assembly engineering are also related to the transmission and calculation of dimensions and tolerances in all aspects of assembly engineering, such as the positioning accuracy of incoming materials, the repeated positioning accuracy of the workpiece itself in the jig, etc. This indicator is expressed in terms of positive and negative ± from the 2D perspective. In fact, since the robot's motion repetition point is not linear but moves in 3D in space, the actual situation of this parameter can be anywhere within the spherical space within the tolerance radius. Of course, the current motion compensation with the current machine vision technology will reduce the robot's requirements and dependence on the accuracy of incoming materials, and improve the overall assembly accuracy. 6. Speed This parameter is closely related to each user. In fact, it depends on the Cycle Time that needs to be completed in the job. The specification table lists the maximum speed of this type of robot, but we should know that considering the acceleration and deceleration from one point to another, the actual running speed will be between 0 and the maximum speed. The unit of this parameter is usually measured in degrees per second. Some robot manufacturers will also mark the maximum acceleration of the robot. 7. Bodyweight The weight of the robot body is an important factor when designing the robot unit. If the industrial robot must be installed on a customized machine, even on the guide rail, you may need to know its weight to design the corresponding support. 8. Braking and moment of inertia Basically every robot manufacturer provides information on their robot braking system. Some robots are equipped with brakes for all axes, while other robot models do not have brakes for all axes. To ensure accurate and repeatable positions in the work area, a sufficient number of brakes are required. In another special case, when an unexpected power failure occurs, the axis of the load-bearing robot without brakes will not be locked, which may cause accidents. At the same time, some robot manufacturers also provide the rotational inertia of the robot. In fact, for the safety of the design, this will be an additional guarantee. You may also notice the applicable torque on different shafts. For example, if your movement requires a certain amount of torque to complete the work correctly, you need to check whether the maximum torque applicable on the axis is correct. If the type selection is not correct, the robot may be down due to overload. 9. Degree of protection According to the use environment of the robot, choose a standard that achieves a certain level of protection (IP level). Some manufacturers provide product series with the same manipulator and different IP protection levels for different occasions. If the robot is working in food-related products, medicine, medical equipment, or in a flammable and explosive environment, the IP level will be different. Generally, for example, standard: IP40, oil mist: IP67, cleaning ISO level: 3.