WHAT IS ROBOT?
Industrial robots are mechanical devices which, to a certain degree, replicate human motions. They are used whenever there is a need to reduce the danger to a human, provide more strength or accuracy than a human, or when continuous operation is required.
MANUFACTURING PROCESS:
Design
Every robot begins with the design phase. Most manufacturers have a basic machine design to which they incorporate modifications and accessories to meet the specific requirements of the application.
Fabrication
Once designed, the base, arms, column, and supports are fabricated. The base is usually heavy, to prevent the robot from tipping over. It is made by casting or by welding, then machined. Many robot manufacturers use robots to weld parts for new ones. Those areas that mate with the rest of the robot are machined with close dimensional control to assure proper fit and operation of the attaching components. Likewise, the main column and arms are constructed to fit accurately into the final assembly.
Assembly
Robots are assembled using a substantial amount of purchased components such as electric motors, hydraulic cylinders, bearings, wiring, controllers, and other important parts. An industrial robot can contain 2,000 individual parts and is assembled by teams. These teams begin with the base and assemble components into the robot until it is complete and ready for testing and finishing.
Link
The next joint is the link. It acts like an elbow and connects the arm to the base. A stabilizer support provides positional control to the link, allowing it to move in a predetermined path. The link contains a position sensor which provides another position signal to the controller.
Arm
The arm is assembled onto the upright portion of the link. It provides the most "reach" to the robot and supports the wrist. The arm contains the drive shafts that operate the wrist. Three motors, or a combination of motors and hydraulic cylinders, are connected to the drive shafts.
Wrist
The wrist is the critical mechanism of the robot. It is the wrist that most replicates human motion by twisting and turning to place the paint gun, welder, or other tool in the correct position. Many robots also have load-sensing electronics in the wrist to signal when an obstruction has been hit, or when a load is too heavy to safely pick up.
Wiring to the controller
Once the mechanical assembly has been completed, the wiring and plumbing of the robot can be finished. All of the motor's sensors and electrical components must have wires for power and to carry information back to the control computer. Occasionally, unused space in the arms and base provides a handy place to mount some of the controller electronics, shortening the wiring paths. Hydraulic and air cylinders have hoses that carry pressure to operate them, controlled from the valves in the base.
Installation
Installation occurs at the user's site. If / stationary, the robot is secured to the floor with bolts. If moving, a guide wire is buried into the floor for the robot to follow from task to task. It follows the wire by radio signals and also uses the wire to communicate with the central controller. Recently, lasers have been used to eliminate the wire. The robot is guided through its path by a laser beam reflected off the walls.
Quality Control
Testing consists of two parts: functional accuracy and a process known as "burn-in." Once the assembled robot is energized with power, a computer program instructs the controller to move the robot arm through a series of motions. Accurate recordings of these motions are made, any problems corrected.
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DISCLAIMER
The information is provided by Tecquisition for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal advice. If you have any feedback, comments, requests for technical support or other inquiries, please mail us by tecqusition@gmail.com.
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