| An articulated robot is one that has rotary joints. A | | | | accomplish at the same work station. |
| rotary joint is a connection between two objects. The | | | | The joints of articulated robotics are programmed to |
| connection allows both objects, even though each is | | | | work in unison with other parts of the robotic or can |
| connected to another object, the ability to rotate or | | | | work independently. This characteristic gives the |
| have movement up to 360 degrees. Most of the time | | | | robotic a high degree of functionality. There are great |
| these two objects that are connected together are | | | | variations in the kinematics of articulated robotics. This |
| cylindrical. The connection gives both objects increased | | | | arrangement of the rigid member and the joints in the |
| capabilities to perform work functions. Articulated | | | | robot determines what the type and range of motions |
| robotics usually have several of these connections | | | | of the robotic. Simple tasks that are to be performed |
| which gives them a great deal of flexibility in | | | | require only a limited amount of rigid parts and joints, |
| performing work duties. | | | | while multiple rigid parts and multiple joint can do more |
| Each joint that a robotic has represents an increase in | | | | challenging tasks or even several tasks. |
| freedom to perform tasks. There is no limit to the | | | | The utility of articulated robotics has grown so much in |
| number of rotary joints that articulated robotics can | | | | the last few years that they can now do the most |
| have and a robotic may have other types of joints to | | | | minute work on the smallest objects, while their |
| increase its capability even more.. After a certain | | | | counterparts work with very large objects. |
| number of joints, however, there would be diminishing | | | | Characteristics of articulating robotics have moved |
| capability of the robotic to do any productive work. All | | | | toward meeting the needs of demanding |
| the movements of each of the objects that are | | | | manufacturing operations. Directly coupled drives are |
| connected together to create articulated robotics must | | | | much more reliable than robotics built with belts, pulleys |
| be programmed to move in order to do the tasks that | | | | or chains. There are various mounting options, |
| they are assigned to do. | | | | depending on robotic size, upright, inverted, or wall, |
| The more joints that a robotic has, the more complex | | | | whatever meets the needs of the application. Cables |
| become the robotic functions. An increase in the | | | | are enclosed in the body of the housing to eliminate |
| complexity of the robotic would increase the set of | | | | entanglement. Encoders have absolute positioning so |
| instructions that tell the robot when, where, and how to | | | | that homing or calibration is eliminated at power-up. |
| move. Usually articulated robotics are assigned a | | | | Other units have both pneumatic and electrical |
| limited number of tasks to perform. | | | | connections. With articulated robotics installed on a rail |
| Most of the time articulated robotics are assigned to | | | | more than one unit can share the same central |
| one work station in a group of work stations that | | | | processing unit. These units are most versatile for |
| perform individual steps in manufacturing or assembly | | | | medium payloads and work well for welding, wash |
| operations. To create the work assignment for an | | | | down and clean room applications. |
| articulated robotic work station one must take into | | | | Small articulated robotics, if installed on the floor, require |
| account the: | | | | less floor space for operation. These type units can be |
| - How much weight is required to be lifted to complete | | | | configured in multiple ways to accommodate a wide |
| this task? | | | | variety of reach, payload, and application requirements. |
| - How much time is required to complete the task? | | | | Some units are controlled by multitasking controllers |
| - What movements are require to complete the task? | | | | with individual axis monitoring. A single electric gripper |
| - What position or positions are required to complete | | | | or two pneumatic grippers can handle components. |
| the task? | | | | The gripper force is continuously adjustable, so that |
| - How does the environment effect the completion of | | | | fragile items are handled safely and securely. |
| the task? | | | | Larger counterparts of these robots have extra long |
| - How does the task effect the environment where | | | | reach area with very small footprints, but with higher |
| the task is accomplished? | | | | payloads. These are useful in spot welding, material |
| Not unlike the industrial engineering functions in factories | | | | handling, sealing, die and investment casting, material |
| of years gone by, the program designed to run a | | | | movement, machine tending, assembling of small parts, |
| robotic work station must take into account how it | | | | calibration, and testing, grinding, polishing, and bonding |
| interacts with the other work stations on "the line". One | | | | Larger models of articulated robotics are designed |
| of the big differences between the work increments | | | | without the need for counter-balancing. These units |
| defined by industrial engineers years ago and the | | | | have advanced link structuring and have the capability |
| program steps defined by robotic programmers today | | | | to handle very heavy payloads, Usually this type of |
| is the inaccuracy of humans as opposed to the speed | | | | robotics has mechanical stops and limit switches to |
| and accuracy of robotics. Articulated robotics are | | | | create a safe working environment. These robots are |
| capable of very precise and unending, repetitive tasks | | | | used to handle engines, handling car bodies, moving |
| that simply cannot be done as accurately and as | | | | large appliances, investment casting, and forging |
| swiftly by humans. In many cases the robotic | | | | applications. Some models are built to withstand |
| replacement for a human in a production line can | | | | extremely cold temperatures with the need of heating |
| perform many more steps in the manufacturing | | | | or shrouds. These are the real work horses of |
| process than the human could ever hope to | | | | industry. |