Maximizing Robotic Utility through Peripheral Motion Systems
In the world of robotics, it’s not just about the robots themselves, but also the systems that support them. The role of peripheral motion systems – the automated systems that serve, move, and enhance the robots – is crucial to maximizing their utility. These systems exist in varying levels of complexity, from simple machine maintenance to more advanced assembly operations and transportation tasks.
Take, for example, the pick and place functions in material handling, which requires coordination of all axes of the robot and end effector with the conveyor. The placement of the robot in relation to the conveyor, along with numerous other parameters, can be optimized through simulation software to minimize arm movement.
The Role of Seventh Axis Systems in Robotics
Seventh axis systems, also known as robot transfer units (RTUs), are pivotal when discussing peripheral motion systems. These pre-designed or in-house built systems typically consist of linear tracks carrying platforms where the robot is mounted.
However, for high-precision tasks, such as cutting or moving castings through various machine tools for processing, many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) prefer to use dedicated integrators. The biggest challenge here is programming the RTUs to synchronize with the articulation of the robotic arms they carry, while also maintaining precise linear motion over several meters.
Additional Linear Motion Technologies
Other linear motion technologies also complement robotic work cells. For instance, the Applied Cobotics Cobot Loader from PBC Linear is an automated rack designed for CNC machine servicing applications. This parts feeding system delivers and prepares parts entering a machining process.
The cobot loader is a comprehensive package that includes a storage and retrieval package with a UR robot base, an enclosed steel rack dunnage tower with 17 tray capacity to hold parts up to 50 lbs (22.6 kg), and a touchscreen human-machine interface (HMI). It also comes with standard Ethernet IP, Modbus and cobot UR communications.
Eighth-Axis Vertical RTUs
Eighth-axis vertical RTUs provide another linear motion solution for robotic work cells. The Bishop-Wisecarver RTU-V, for instance, extends the reach of the robotic arm in logistics, manufacturing, agriculture, and packaging with vertical strokes that reach 4 m (13.1 ft).
This type of eighth-axis RTU is particularly useful when robotic arms are working on oversized assemblies such as rocket tubes, boat hulls, and aerospace structures. However, these require structural mounting support to maintain stability and accuracy, meaning they cannot be mounted directly on a factory wall.
Conveyor Monitoring: A Special Case
Robotic conveyor maintenance is particularly complex, as it involves variable speeds and variable positions of parts. Conveyors themselves are intricate motion designs with drive belt or roller, motor, brake, and control elements that all need to be considered for work cell coordination.
Software plug-ins from some robot manufacturers can even configure and control conveyors and their accessories. Once installed, the conveyors are added to the programming with inputs and outputs for starting, stopping, referencing speeds, and status monitoring. This integration acts like a handshake between the conveyor and the robot, allowing operators to operate multiple conveyors from one controller at the same time and track overall performance.
To ensure parts are in a precise location on the conveyor, pallet conveyors (not to be confused with skid moving equipment) can be configured or programmed to start and stop at specific intervals to synchronize with robotic tasks. If parts on a conveyor are in all directions, machine vision or another solution may be necessary to determine the location and orientation of the part relative to the robot’s coordinate frame.
Whether it’s maintaining, assembling, or transporting, peripheral motion systems play an indispensable role in maximizing the utility of robotics. With the right system in place, robots can deliver their best performance – making them a valuable asset in any production line.
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