industrial robot are mechanical arms with sensors and controllers attached. They are classified into six distinct categories depending on their arm configuration: Cartesian, Polar, Cylindrical, SCARA and Delta.Many manufacturing businesses are turning to robots as an economical and timesaving alternative for hazardous and mundane tasks that would require human labor. But what should you keep in mind before investing in one?
Cost
industrial robot may be costly to buy and install initially; however, their long-term savings for manufacturers can be substantial by lowering labor costs, cutting waste production and improving product quality. Plus, industrial robots can access dangerous or complex environments where humans simply can’t go allowing companies to increase production without increasing overhead costs.
Cost of industrial robots depends heavily on their application; welding robots will likely incur higher expenses than assembly robots; however, the average purchase cost is about $250,000. Aside from upfront purchase price costs, companies also incur systems engineering, operations and maintenance expenses which could reach as much as $10,000 annually.
Manufacturing robots often require additional accessories to perform certain tasks, such as vacuum grippers and cutters, which can add up over time when used in harsh environments. Therefore, it is crucial that additional costs such as these be considered when calculating total cost of ownership (TCO) of industrial robots.
Industrial robot costs can also be driven up by their limited flexibility, as most are designed for one specific task and changing its programming can be costly and time consuming; in extreme cases, complete redesign of production lines may even be required.
As robotic applications have grown more widespread in recent years, ARK estimates that the overall Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of an industrial robot will decrease substantially over time; by 2025 the cost will likely drop below $11,000 – far less than Boston Consulting Group’s prediction of around $24,000 per robot.
industrial robot tend to cost considerably less than human workers and, over time, can save companies significant sums of money by eliminating the need for employees and freeing up time for other tasks. Furthermore, robots work faster than their human counterparts while producing more products faster.
Efficiency
industrial robot offer companies an efficient way of performing tasks. By increasing production efficiency and decreasing operating costs, robotic systems enable companies to boost profits with this investment technology. Furthermore, their reliability provides better data accuracy needed to identify inefficiencies in processes and improve them; unlike humans however, robots do not experience fatigue like human workers would and can continue their output speeds even overnight.
Industrial robots offer many advantages when deployed in tight spaces. By freeing up space that would otherwise be utilized by staff movement, their versatility allows for multiple functions to be condensed into fewer machines – saving both space and money – while being easily programmable makes industrial robots more versatile than human employees.
A high-performing robotic system can be tailored to work safely in harsh or hazardous environments. Programmable robots can help avoid hazardous situations and accidents in the workplace; additionally, they work faster and more efficiently than humans – ideal for dangerous jobs that involve risk. Furthermore, industrial robots increase productivity at manufacturing plants by eliminating human errors – meaning businesses recoup the investment costs within two years of purchasing industrial robots.
But there are certain important considerations that companies should keep in mind when selecting an industrial robot. First and foremost is cost of maintenance and repairs; secondly is number of operators necessary; this will allow companies to determine how much work can be completed within given period.
Precision and repeatability of industrial robots should also be carefully considered. Precision depends upon how accurately its sensors are calibrated, while end-effectors must match objects being handled for an ideal experience. ISO 9283 can help measure accuracy and repeatability accurately and consistently.
Companys should consider spending money on software and hardware upgrades to enhance the performance of their robots, such as calibration, maintenance program adjustments or accessories to extend functionality.
Safety
industrial robot can be an invaluable asset to employers looking to reduce workplace risks and hazards. Their versatility enables them to work in dangerous environments that would be inaccessible or impractical for humans, performing precise, arduous tasks that require precision and endurance. Industrial robots also reduce repetitive stress injury risks while increasing productivity – while helping lower employee costs by eliminating wages, health insurance premiums and paid time off expenses altogether – making industrial robots an attractive option for many manufacturing firms.
However, safety remains a top concern of robotics systems. Organizations must take all steps necessary to protect their employees when installing and using robots; including following all applicable occupational safety standards as well as including them in risk evaluation processes.
Safety incidents typically result from human errors, control errors, unauthorized access, mechanical failures and power system malfunctions. They also often involve inadequate training or awareness about how best to collaborate with robots.
An effective industrial robot safety system consists of physical barriers, warning signs, and floor space markings that separate the work area from robots. Furthermore, this should include a mechanism allowing manual shutdown in case of robot malfunction; additionally it will include passcode requirements to activate and prevent them from operating in hazardous environments.
An effective industrial robot safety program should also include predictive maintenance, which involves conducting regular inspections to detect any potential issues before they become major ones. Predictive maintenance is significantly cheaper and timelier than major repairs or rebuilds and will significantly decrease downtime from unexpected mechanical issues.
Lockout/tagout procedures must also be used when connecting robots to energy sources, which will ensure safe shutdown when maintenance or repairs need to be performed. All electrical equipment, including robots, contains dangerous energy that could result in accidents if disconnected improperly from its source of power.
Accuracy
industrial robot can be utilized for a range of tasks. Some, like sanding and deburring, require accuracy to ensure a product free from debris and impurities is produced at its final destination. Often performed over large areas using rotating tools, industrial robots must precisely follow pre-programmed paths without deviating.
Accuracy in robot operation depends upon its arm configuration, the type of material being processed, and operating conditions. There are a few ways to increase accuracy for robotic operations; using high-accuracy sensors or performing online path correction may increase accuracy by up to 50 percent while increasing speed by an equal percentage.
One effective method of increasing robot accuracy is using high-accuracy angle encoders or rotary encoders on each axis. These sensors give more precise representations of where each robot axis lies than scaled integer or floating-point representations, compensating for backlash and temperature variations while offering more precise tracking data.
One way to increase the accuracy of a robot system is using a rigid-body model to simulate the motions of its end effector (EE). You can measure or calculate its stiffness directly, or use points in Cartesian space as measurements for that stiffness. Although computationally intensive, this method provides realistic results.
An alternative approach for improving robot accuracy involves employing a 3D pose-based visual sensor and real-time path tracking algorithm. This technique improves static EE positioning to less than 0.05 mm while dynamic path tracking up to welding speeds with an error of only 0.02 deg; meeting industrial standards for accuracy across a variety of applications that involve edges as well.
A fourth way to improve robot accuracy involves employing a virtual joint model and multi-body dynamics solver. The model can predict axis rotations and stiffness levels of key components in a robot such as drive motors and transmission structures; then reduce jitter on key axes as well as deviations in robot paths to within industrial standards.