Robotics are designed to help complete the tasks that are either too demanding for humans, dangerous or just boring. In the manufacturing industry, many robots are or have robotic arms. A robotic arm can also be a part of a complex system of a robot.
Many robots are fitted with mechanical arms that function just as closely as the human arm. Some robot systems have only the robotic arm as the complete set up. In order to make movements, manipulation of the robotic arm is done by links that are normally interconnecting it to the main robot. The links functionality resembles that of arm joints in a human arm.
Types of Robotics
There are different types of robotics; classification of the system depends on the task it is designed for. For instance, while some are designed for welding, others are designed for spinning or gripping. Below is a look at some of the main types of robotics available today.
Articulated Robotics
This is a type of a robot with an arm that is normally used for assembling tasks for instance, in car production. The articulated robotic arm is ideal for welding, die-casting, or spray painting. To enable its functionality, the robotic arm of the articulated robot is fitted with no less than three rotational joints.
Spherical Robotics
This is robot with an arm fitted with axes that come together to form a polar system. Some refer spherical robots as polar robots. These type of robots are designed in a manner that allows for effective handling of machines. A spherical robot is also ideal for spot welding and gas welding.
Cartesian Robotics
This is a robot that has three main joints that are coincident with the Cartesian coordinator. A Cartesian robot is used in assembling tasks due to its ‘pick and place’ capability. It is also perfect for handling machine tools and arc welding.
A Scara Robotic
This is a robot designed for activities that revolve around picking and placing items. A scara robot is fitted with two parallel joints which make the picking and placing much easier.
The Robotic Arm and How It Works
As already mentioned, a robotic arm is designed closely to imitate the human hand. Many a times, the robotic arm is made of seven metallic segments that are adjoined to each other using about six joints whose motion is controlled step motors or hydraulics. By causing a rotation on the different motors the robotic arm makes a movement or a rotation. The step motors are responsible for the consistent and repetitive movements time and again.
The purpose of a human arm is to move the hand from one place to the other. The same methodology is applied when it comes to robots; the robotic arms job is to move the end effector from place ‘A’ to ‘B’. The robotic arm is always fitted to match the applications it is going to be undertaking.
How Do Robots Learn How To Do Their Work?
Robots are taught how to go through an application using a programmer’s guide. But how exactly does this happen? The robot programmer takes the arm through the associated motions with the help of a controller. The robot captures the exact procedure and feeds it into the memory. Because of this memory, whenever a unit comes along the same lines, the robot is able to solve similar issues as and whenever they arise.
There has been a lot of criticism regarding the robotic technology and how much these systems are designed to take away human labour. Nothing could be further from the truth, robotics make work easier and efficient. They are also important because they help humans stay away from tasks that are either life endangering or causes fatigue and boredom among many other factors. A task that would have taken days if done by human is made possible within a few hours of work thanks to the robotic technology. There are very many positive gains and these cannot be overlooked.
To find out more on robotics and how they can be beneficial to you, reach out to us, at Universal robots. We will help you find a solution that is not only friendly to your pocket but one which will also meet your needs.
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