Robots have been successfully performing the work assigned to them for several decades. Just look at those products which production is impossible without the help of machines. For example, the semiconductor industry where the final product is too small for human hands and the auto industry which began to fill the factories with robots back in the 70s of the 20th century. Now robots with end effectors have become even more accessible than 20 years ago. Business only benefits from its acquisition, as it increases production efficiency and eliminates labor costs.
Production automation
In fact, production automation is not as easy as you think. Most people imagine the delivery of a robot to the production base is literally like bring into the room and put down - you buy an automatic hand, install it and that’s all. But in reality, this is not like that.
Let's start with the fact that you decide to purchase a robot. You buy an automatic manipulator. Next, you need a specially created heavy-duty platform to install it in the assist. Besides, the robot needs a cage. The kit will include safety equipment, such as an emergency stop button, protective sensors, and so on.
It’s time for end effector
After that, you will have to decide on the end effector, a very important thing. It will pull and manage your product. These can be fingertip nozzles for holding parts, vacuum heads, electric drills, and many other specialized designs. There is a chance that you will not find anything suitable, and someone will have to develop a seizure specifically for you.
The human hand is universal and capable of performing thousands of different works, the end effectors are not although they look like our hand. Your robot will most likely need several grippers to perform different jobs. For this, you may need an automatic tool changer. Your robot will be able to quickly change details with this tool. Learn what types of end effectors are nowadays.
Optional equipment
A typical automatic hand has a very weak sensitivity. You will have to give her the ability to feel with additional touch equipment. However, such equipment will solve the problem of sensitivity only to a certain limit.
In addition, you will need something else to hold the parts on which the robot works. In order to keep the production parts in place, you will need fixtures and frames designed uniquely to your particular product.
After this step, you will have to think about where the robot will take the parts for work and where it will add the fruits of its labor. For small parts, you may need an automatic supplier that will supply details at the right angle. To supply large parts, you will need a conveyor or other delivery methods. You can also hire a person who will supply the robot with parts for assembly.
You will need to install a visual recognition system consisting of one or more cameras and an information processing unit. You will also have to install the perfect lighting. The fact is that if there is a little more or less brightness than necessary, the system will not work.
Do not forget also about providing the robot with air and electricity. Usually, robots do not come with compressors, so you have to buy and install the compressor yourself.
Control system
All the additional equipment that you purchased will have to be connected to a single control system that will control the valves, activate servos, determine the location of the product, and so on. Such work is performed by a programmable controller or an embedded computer.
You will have to teach your robot to make the movements you need.
Usually, for the assembly and configuration of the system, they hire a company from which you bought the equipment. All these production lines are customized for the production of only one product. Replace it and you have to change the entire production line. Therefore, be careful and patient when switching to automated production.
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