Industrial Robots - A Marvel Of Engineering

Invention of Robots has brought about revolutionaryperform that particular function till they are
changes in the field of industrial manufacturing. In thereprogrammed. The cost of a robot is not very huge,
earlier part of the century humans were engaged inbut generally the cost of programming the robot is so
jobs, which were very dangerous and involved serioushigh that instead of reprogramming it the
health hazards, but in 1956, Unimation a companymanufacturers find it more economical to buy a new
founded by George Devol and Joseph F. Engelbergerone for a different task. In simpler terms we can say
invented the first robot. These were initially used inthat usually the cost of the robot is just a fraction of
industries where it was required that dangers involvedthe cost of programming it.
in working should be reduced like in spot welding, dieRobots are made up of easily available materials.
casting and forging and then gradually they wereSteel, cast iron and aluminum are commonly used for
employed in areas requiring greater strength andmaking the arms and bases of robots. In mobile robots,
accuracy than human beings.rubber tires are fixed for smooth and quiet operation.
Industrial Robots are automatic devices, which to anRobots may be electronically operated and also laser
extent simulate the human behavior or moreor radio controlled. The exposed parts of the robot are
specifically human activity. Robots are important partenveloped with flexible neoprene sheaths and bellows.
of the science of Automation. Automation involvesThe importance of robots in industries is increasing day
machines and computers that are capable of learningby day and they constitute a very important part of
and performing various types of operations. The wordthe modern industries. Robots have made so many
robot has been derived from the Czech word "robota"things possible, which could not be even thought of
meaning compulsory labor. The robots are used inaround 6 decades ago. They have taken the place of
industries to perform various functions like materialmanual labor, especially in places where people
handling, spot welding, spray painting, die casting, ironing,worked in very dangerous and hazardous conditions
forging, assembly operations, palletizing, dispensing,like welding, die casting and forging. They have brought
testing, water jet cutting, picking and placing heavyabout revolutionary changes in the field of industrial
goods etc.manufacturing. According to a research conducted by
Robots are made in various shapes and sizes andthe United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
generally their load carrying capacity depends up onthe worldwide purchase for robots is increasing at the
their size and strength. An average human sized robotrate of approximately 19% every year.
is capable of carrying a load of more than 100 poundsIn recent years Robots are also being used in
and can also move it very quickly at the rate of +industries like consumer electronics and food
-0.006 inches. One of their major advantages is thatpackaging where robots outweigh the precision and
they can work continuously for days and years at aquality of assembling the products as compared to
stretch without developing any fault. Due to thiswork done by human hands. Earlier on some people
persistent accuracy robots are fast becomingprotested the inclusion of robots in industries on the
indispensable part of various industrial set-ups. Mostaccount that this will render many people unemployed.
often these robots are used for repetitive painting,But these fears have also been allayed and the best
welding and operations like picking up and placingargument in this regard has been given by economist
products into the machines.James Miller. He says "True, the existence of
The industrial robots can be programmed forautomation might depress workers' wages but it
performing a single function at a time and can onlyshouldn't ever leave them unemployable.