What are the benefits of an industrial robotic arm?

Industrial robotic arms are complicated machines with multiple purposes. They are popular in the manufacturing industry to perform routine actions to automate processes in the production line. They deliver consistent quality which means that your end-product will always be the same and produced at a faster rate. These robots are best suited for high-volume and mostly unchanging processes. They’re usually implemented for processes that require precision and accuracy. Robots don’t deviate from the process application that they were programmed to do which ensures ongoing quality.

 

What are robotic arms?

‘Robot arms’ is a broad term for many types of robots that can be used for production processes. They have similar functions, but each one is customized to perform specific tasks within the manufacturing process that other robotic arms can’t. These robots are stationary as they are bolted to the floor or wall and can’t be moved around. They are used to perform tasks that require a hand-like motion with precision.

 

Robotic arms for industrial automation include:

Articulated arm – this is the most common robotic arm. They’re made specifically to mimic a human arm and have a wide range of motion to achieve this. It comes in the shape of a single mechanical arm that is attached to a rotating base. They have four to six axes that they operate on which gives it the ability to move more freely. They are generally used for arc welding, spot welding, painting, assembly, material removal, material handling, and palletizing.

 

Dual arm – these robots have two mechanical arms to perform more complex assembly operations. They can have between four to fifteen axes and each arm works separately from the other for optimized productivity or together on the same task.

 

Parallel link arm – these robots consist of three slender and lightweight arms that extend from the robot body. Unlike with other robots, the motors are located above the arms and not inside the arm itself. They offer high speeds and precise, agile operation. They can generally be used for automated assembly, pick and place, and dispensing.

Cartesian – this is a rigid three-axes robot that operates on linear movements. It’s a simple control system and can lift heavy objects. It doesn’t offer rotational movements but is a good solution if you don’t need a big range of motion.

 

SCARA – the Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm can rotate in two joints and has one linear joint. It’s considered ‘selective compliant’ because it is compliant in the horizontal plane, but not in the vertical, which limits its range of motion. They are fast and flexible and are generally used for pick and place, and assembly operations.

 

Cylindrical – this is a very compact solution. It consists of one axis that turns the arm at the base and two linear axes that control the height and arm extension. It doesn’t take up a lot of workspace and can be used for packaging, machine tending, simple welding or soldering tasks, and palletization.

 

Polar – also known as a spherical robot, the polar robot can rotate around its base and shoulder and a linear joint extending the arm. They can have a long reach depending on the arm attachment. They’re generally used for molding, painting, and welding.

 

Benefits of robotic arms

Many manufacturers choose robotic arms for their speed and efficacy. They have many benefits that can easily be integrated with your assembly line to boost productivity and throughput. Put into practice, robotic arms can increase your return on investment (ROI) and speed up your production.

 

The benefits include:

●      Improved safety

●      Efficiency and productivity

●      Precision

●      Flexibility

●      Cost-effectiveness

●      Can work in hazardous environments

 

Uses of robotic arms

There are many industries that make use of robotic arms for various applications. Each industry has certain requirements, and the robots are used in line with this to help manufacturers increase productivity.

 

Industries that commonly use robotic arms:

●      Aerospace

●      Automotive

●      Metals

●      Food and beverage

●      Pharmaceutical

●      Plastic

●      Health sciences

●      Electronics

●      Agriculture

 

What they’re used for:

●      3D printing

●      Packaging

●      Palletizing and depalletizing

●      Material handling

●      Painting

●      Welding

●      Assembly

●      Inspection

●      Quality control

●      Cutting

●      Dispensing

●      Grinding

●      Molding

●      Polishing

●      Sorting

 

Yaskawa’s robotic palletizers

We are a trusted partner and leader in the manufacturing of robotic solutions. It involves flexibility through 2D and 3D vision software, as well as specialized software and tooling to enable customization for speed, safety, accuracy, and maximum productivity. We can also provide you with the necessary training to use your robot to its full potential. Contact us for more info.