Components and functions of industrial robots

Industrial robots play a key role in various industries, improving production efficiency, reducing costs, improving product quality, and may also change the production methods of the entire industry. So, what are the components of a complete industrial robot? This article will introduce the various components and functions of industrial robots in detail to help you further understand this key technology.

Mechanical structure

The basic structure of an industrial robot includes the body, arm, wrist and fingers. Together, these components form the robot's motion system, enabling it to accurately position and move in three-dimensional space.

-Body: The body is the main part of the robot, usually made of high-strength steel, used to support other components and provide internal space to accommodate various sensors, controllers and other equipment.

-Arm: The arm is the main part of the robot to perform tasks, usually driven by joints to achieve multi-degree-of-freedom movement. Depending on the application scenario, the arm can be designed with a fixed axis or a retractable axis.

-Wrist: The wrist is the part of the robot's end effector that contacts the workpiece, usually composed of a series of joints and links to achieve flexible grasping, placement and operation functions.

-Finger: The finger is part of the robot's end effector, usually including various tools and fixtures to complete specific operation tasks.

Control System

The control system of an industrial robot is its core part, which is responsible for receiving information from sensors, processing this information, and sending control instructions to drive the robot's movement. The control system usually includes the following components:

-Controller: The controller is the brain of the industrial robot, responsible for processing signals from various sensors and generating corresponding control instructions. Common controller types include PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), DCS (Distributed Control System) and IPC (Control System).

-Driver: The driver is the interface between the controller and the motor, responsible for converting the control instructions issued by the controller into the actual movement of the motor. Depending on the application requirements, the driver can be divided into stepper motor drivers, servo motor drivers and linear motor drivers.

-Programming interface: The programming interface is a tool for users to interact with the robot system, usually including computer software, touch screen or special operation panel. Through the programming interface, users can set the robot's motion parameters, monitor its operating status, and diagnose and handle faults.

Sensor

Industrial robots need to rely on various sensors to obtain information about the surrounding environment in order to perform tasks such as correct positioning, navigation, and obstacle avoidance. Common sensor types include:

-Vision sensors: Vision sensors are used to capture images or video data of target objects, such as cameras, lidar, etc. By analyzing these data, robots can achieve functions such as object recognition, positioning, and tracking.

-Force/torque sensors: Force/torque sensors are used to measure the external force and torque applied to the robot, such as pressure sensors, torque sensors, etc. These data are important for the robot's motion control and load monitoring.

-Proximity/distance sensors: Proximity/distance sensors are used to measure the distance between the robot and surrounding objects to ensure that there is no dangerous range of motion. Common proximity/distance sensors include ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors, etc.

-Encoders: Encoders are sensors used to measure rotation angles and position information, such as photoelectric encoders, magnetic encoders, etc. By processing these data, robots can achieve accurate position control and trajectory planning.

Communication Interface

In order to achieve collaborative work and information sharing with other devices, industrial robots usually need to have certain communication capabilities. The communication interface can connect the robot with other equipment (such as other robots on the production line, material handling equipment, etc.) and upper-level management systems (such as ERP, MES, etc.) to achieve functions such as data exchange and remote control. Common types of communication interfaces include:

-Ethernet interface: The Ethernet interface is a universal network interface based on the IP protocol and is widely used in the field of industrial automation. Through the Ethernet interface, the robot can achieve high-speed data transmission and real-time monitoring with other devices.

-PROFIBUS interface: PROFIBUS is a national standard fieldbus protocol that is widely used in the field of industrial automation. The PROFIBUS interface can achieve fast and reliable data exchange and collaborative control between different devices.

-USB interface: The USB interface is a universal serial communication interface that can be used to connect input devices such as keyboards and mice, as well as output devices such as printers and storage devices. Through the USB interface, the robot can achieve interactive operation and information transmission with the user.

In summary, a complete industrial robot consists of multiple parts, including mechanical structure, control system, sensor and communication interface. These parts work together to enable the robot to complete various high-precision and high-speed tasks in complex industrial production environments. With the continuous development of technology and the continuous expansion of application needs, industrial robots will continue to play an important role in modern manufacturing.