By industrial automation, we define the use of technologies and control systems for the intelligent management of industrial machinery and production lines. Hence, the use of physical machines and control systems to automate activities within an industrial process.
Industrial automation machines and robotic systems for industrial automation processes, where to start.
Industrial robotics is a branch of industrial automation applicable in many repetitive, hazardous and low-value industrial processes such as: deburring, grinding, marking, grinding, assembly, etc.
A robot, on the other hand, is a programmable and reprogrammable multifunctional machine, autonomous or semi-autonomous, capable of performing a series of tasks in place of or alongside an attendant at a constant and frenetic pace. A robot, or rather a robotic system, is therefore a complex system that can be represented as a series of interconnected subsystems.
The mechanical system (coinciding with the manipulation and locomotion apparatus), the actuation system (the robot’s muscles) that enables manipulation or locomotion, the sensory system capable of acquiring data on the internal state of the mechanical system and the external state of the environment, and the control system with the ability to intelligently connect perception and action.
In industrial robotics, the control system resides in the control unit, which allows programming via a human-machine interface device. The robot arm consists of a series of rigid bodies interconnected by mechanical joints (the joints), at the end of the arm is the end-effector mounted above the flange. A gripper or a working tool can be mounted to the end-effector.
The mechanical articulation between the two links can be achieved by means of two types of prismatic or rotoidal joints, which determine the degrees of freedom. Each joint confers a single degree of freedom.
The concept of degrees of freedom is fundamental in industrial robotics since the task that can be performed by a manipulator is closely related to the number of degrees of freedom.
Most industrial robots have 6 joints and 6 links to be able to perform in all kinds of situations.
Finally, the workspace represents that portion of the environment accessible by the manipulator’s end-effector.
Which robots to choose?
The type and sequence of degrees of freedom make it possible to identify recurring mechanical structures for industrial robotic manipulators. There are different types of robots:
Cartesian robots
With only three prismatic points they allow the positioning but not the orientation of an object with great precision.
SCARA robot
With two rotoid joints and one prismatic joint it has variable stiffness and is usually used for vertical assembly.
Anthropomorphic robots
With six rotoidal joints it is the most widely used in the field of industrial robotic manipulators.
Delta robots
Delta robots perform sorting and pick & place movements at high speeds and frequencies of hundreds of parts per minute.
Collaborative robots: lightweight, ultra-light and double-armed
Kinematic redundancy and intrinsic safety of the mechanical structure towards an operator are the two characteristics of collaborative robotic manipulators.
Kinematic redundancy and intrinsic safety of the mechanical structure vis-à-vis an operator are the two features of the new robotic manipulators, which have enabled the emergence of collaborative robotics. Suitable for performing assembly operations. They are designed to interact safely with an operator. This interaction can take place through indirect modes (voice command, gestures, facial expression) or direct modes (physical interaction, or physical Human-Robot Interaction, pHRI). In this interaction, human and robot share the work space to the point of direct contact with each other.
AMR (Industrial Mobile Robot, IMR)
Industrial robots that have a self-propelled base that allows the robot to move freely in the environment in which it is to operate.
Industrial robotics
Process robotization is an automation strategy, applying technologies that enable process management and control, standardising processing and achieving higher output, lower costs and greater reliability and control.
The applications are diverse. Industrial robots can be used in both rigid automation systems (mass production with constant characteristics) and flexible automation systems (variable products).
The resulting benefits are manifold depending on where and when the robots are used within the production process (grinding, deburring, polishing, cutting, grinding, servicing, etc.):
increased productivity: thanks to the constant and tireless use of robotic automation, production times are shortened and oversights and errors are avoided. This optimises costs, profitability and production quality;
safety of the working environment: the movement of particularly heavy or toxic objects or material can be entrusted to robots and automated processes to avoid contact, for example, between electrical components and harmful materials;
Increased competitiveness: the use of robots leads to a significant reduction in production costs and increased efficiency, which provide an important competitive advantage to be used in an increasingly competitive market where competition from low labour cost markets wins out;
increase in the value of human capital: moving staff to higher value-added activities also allows the possibility of redeployment in different positions of greater control. People will be able to take advantage of the opportunity to reformulate their required skills. Acquiring new skills gives employees access to more rewarding, high value-added roles and at the same time this reskilling process improves the company’s workforce and consolidates its competitive position in the market.
Robotic automation systems for industry
With the advent of Industry 4.0, industrial robots can work almost completely autonomously, using machine learning systems to become increasingly high-performance and capable of making decisions independently. This is called smart manufacturing, an advanced approach with seamless integration between the physical and digital worlds.
At Kablator, the KabRobotic Business Unit is ready for any automation challenge!
Robotics in manufacturing
Across the globe, the spread of robotics in the industrial sector continues and, according to Ifr’s ‘World Robotics 2023‘ report, has never been higher, especially in manufacturing.
The European Union is the portion of the world with the highest density of robots. In fact 208 units per 10,000 employees. Countries such as Germany, Sweden and Switzerland are in the world’s top ten.
Italy is the second largest European robot market after Germany. An all-time high of almost 12,000 units (+10%) was installed in 2022. This is a 16% share of total EU installations.
For a Kablator robotics consultation:
+39 3313466711- info@kablator.com
