5 Of The Basic Components Of An Industrial Robot
Posted on: 4 January 2021
When customers commission the construction of industrial manufacturing robots, it's wise for them to know a bit about the machines. You should have a basic familiarity with these 5 components.
Controller
Computerized control is a central feature of nearly all industrial robots. At least one central processing unit (CPU) is present in the controller to allow it to process programmed instructions. The CPU also acts as a traffic cop, keeping tabs on data from other components and sending commands out to them. Similarly, it verifies that none of the commands that are issued conflict with others.
Likewise, many newer systems that employ AI and machine learning include graphics processing units (GPUs). These allow programmers to take advantage of machine vision systems, statistical models, and parallel programming. This makes it possible to train machines on tasks, perform quality control, and examine products for defects all through an automated system.
Sensors
If the controller is the brain, the sensors are the eyes and nerves of a robot. Industrial robots use visual sensors to scan scenes and translate information to data. They also frequently employ heat and touch sensors to understand the robot's surrounding space and the state of each item being processed.
Arm
Most industrial manufacturing robots employ a single arm. This allows the robots to maneuver within their workspace. If a robot needs to access a block of metal for machining from several angles, for example, the arm allows it the necessary degrees of freedom in three dimensions to get the job done.
Effector
Industrial robots that need to manipulate tools usually have an effector at the end of their arm. The effector is generally a strong reflection of the robot's specific task. For example, a robot meant for welding points on a chassis will have an effector that allows it to precisely perform appropriate welds.
Drives
Something has to power the various components of industrial manufacturing robots. A drive is a component that initiates and stops an action. If a robot needs to drill through a plate, for example, it's the drive that triggers and terminates the process.
Drives come in three common types. Electrical drives are generally intended for high-speed and low-power applications. Hydraulic drives are usually employed in applications that require a lot of power or sudden bursts of speed. Pneumatic drives are similar to hydraulic ones, but they're used in situations where hydraulics might not be effective or allowed.
For more information, contact an industrial robot manufacturing company.
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