The application of robots in the industry field dates back to several decades ago when the high repetitiveness of operations made their use justifiable. But their high cost and programming complexity have long been a brake on the spread of their technology and often did not motivate their use. Over the years, the need to increase efficiency in production combined with the development of innovative software and programming methodologies (for example self-learning or process simulation software) and the reduction of purchasing costs have made that robotics reached such an importance that today it is almost impossible to imagine carrying out certain processes and movements of components without robot support.
In this article Brentech, a mechanical design studio from Schio, Vicenza, discuss the topic of industrial robotic automation, focusing on the advantages they can bring to the industry.
Why to use robots?
One thing is certain and proven, by the advent and introduction of robot technology we are witnessing the optimization of the production process. More than this, robots are no longer perceived as a simple substitute for human work but as a collaborator who relieves users from repetitive or dangerous operations, allowing staff skills to be focused on tasks with greater added value.
The evolution of the human-machine interface
Programming a robot is not a process to be trivialized, as it is not enough to know how to maneuver an anthropomorphic arm to solve complex problems but a correct analysis of the process is necessary to get the most from their capabilities.
It is basicly important to understand the possibility of integrating and adapting different technologies to the machine to build artificial intelligence in the industrial automation process and not simply perform repetitive operations. An example is the integration of the process control system with the vision/scanning systems that communicate with the robot itself.
Applications and advantages of robots
Brentech is committed to the development of complex robotic automation in different fields, from handling parts to assembly processes, from testing equipment to the packaging field.
The pick & place application is the most used in these sectors, allowing the transfer of components from one station to another to carry out machining or assembly, or simply permitting an easier transfer, avoiding the use of complex linear systems and thus allowing a greater flexibility in programming.
In the packaging sector, the integration of robot technology into industrial automation is commonly defined as “pick & pack”: multiple products are picked up and placed inside specific packages with a high frequency, obtaining superior performance compared to classic or semi-automatic manual systems, greater flexibility in product format change and greater setting speed.
During test equipment, robots, also called cobots, are used to easily manipulate components that have complex geometries and, by maintaining their grip on the piece, it is possible to carry out different processes with high repeatability and guarantee an action continuity in complete safety mode even without operator supervision.
The application of robots as well lets carrying out wear testing on production components in real operating conditions through the installation of sensors on the robot-equipment system.
Brentech also guarantee the application of robot in safe conditions by respecting the rules of the machinery directive: we are often led to think that a collaborative robot is safe by its nature but this is absolutely not true. The overall application must be safe!
