Robotic Systems News

Include the life cycle of automation equipment in your purchasing decisions; it is part of the total cost of ownership. Automation life and buying cycles depend, to a degree, on the vendor's life cycle. Buying technology on the bleeding edge (before it has demonstrated agreed-upon value) is a calculated risk. You may win big, or you may get stuck with a loser. As installed technology becomes dated, new state-of-the-art technology is available for purchase; this is the time to consider buying new.

Stäubli's MPS 630 automatic tool changing system for robot arms handles tools to 630 kgs and can withstand high bending and torsional moments created by fast moving robots, significantly expanding suitable applications. All services required by the tool are simultaneously connected, and the electric or pneumatically activated locking mechanism ensures fail safe security.

Vaccon's all-pneumatic Air Saver vacuum pumps provide a strong holding force to safely lift and move large objects (sheet metal, composites, glass) between manufacturing operations. Cycling on only when needed, Air Saver pumps maintain pre-set vacuum levels for secure robotic pick-and-place, vessel evacuation, and vacuum clamping applications.

Non-contact electrical connections eliminate downtime resulting from loose or broken connections. They are ideal for demanding environments and for robot arms, allowing them to move fully without limitations due to cabling. The components themselves have no moving parts, rendering them nearly maintenance-free, and they are rated to be used for food operations and in clean rooms.

No one likes moving, particularly when the move involves complex robotic work cells, but there are things you can do to ease the pain and cost of a move. If you foresee the need to be flexible, design your system with modularity or use a more economical palletized approach. If you need to move an existing system, read the suggestions for basic considerations, such as safety, and more complicated issues, such as programming errors.

"Software and controls generally have a baseline architecture but have a built-in unique architecture on top of that aimed at an application," explains material handling expert Claude Dinsmoor. While the control software for a robot that is welding and one that is palletizing might be the same, the HMIs are application-specific. Open-source operating systems are making inroads into industrial robot software, particularly in the application-specific realm.

Rapyuta, also called the RoboEarth Cloud Engine, is an open-source platform that lets robots connect directly to the cloud to harness the power of huge data centers (think Google's giant server farms) for their own needs. This Platform as a Service (PaaS) allows robots to perform complex tasks, such as learning and navigation, quickly and without needing cumbersome, on-board computers, thus "paving the way toward lighter, cheaper, more intelligent robots."

Kryptane Systems, a division of Argonics, Inc., offers a variety of durable, low rolling resistance polyurethane components including precision rollers, bumpers, and springs. Let our team of experienced engineers help you design and quickly prototype a urethane solution to meet your needs.

This Peridot-manufactured end effector is a custom machined Knurl pattern for over molding adhesion on a machined component. The rod is CNC Swiss turned, and the two are laser welded together using a rotary attachment. This particular end effector is machined 304 stainless welded to a 304 CNC Swiss part.

Robots are being used in an ever-widening array of picking applications, thanks to improved 3D vision and sensor technology. Powerful controllers can move a single camera to different positions instead of collating images from multiple cameras. Another option is to use a single vision system for pick-and-place operations and quality control functions, eliminating ancillary equipment. Using the vision system as a control, "a robot can be signaled to respond to variations based on camera input."

Building on lessons learned from other industries, engineers have improved 3D vision-guided robotics (VGR) systems for palletizing. Using vision, robots can custom stack pallets with flexible packages (e.g., bags) to optimize shipping efficiencies and minimize product damage. Stereoscopic vision systems project light grids which help robots distinguish one bag or container from another during depalletizing. VGR systems equipped with a learning capability can beat human-programmed cycle times by up to 10%.

Penetrations of your firewall can compromise safety systems. This comprehensive article profiles 13 types of attacks aimed at firewalls and presents mitigation measures you can take. It also provides a handy table of mitigations with simple grades (red, yellow, and green) assigned for the effectiveness of the compensating measures. Safety functions can be updated with patches, but unidirectional security gateways provide the broadest protection.

"The question is whether to integrate safety or not." Integrating safety during design can cut costs and reduce development time; it is particularly effective for simple situations. However, stopping systems is different from making the machines move, so you might want to consider a separate programmable safety controller for more complicated systems.

The lightweight, digital LandMark™40 INS/GPS offers break-through performance with ultra low noise MEMS gyros and accelerometers enabling precise position information and:
• Ultra Low Gyro Noise 0.002°/sec/√Hz
• Excellent In-Run Gyro Bias: 5°/hour

Gladiator Technologies offers a full line of high performance inertial systems to suit your application. Learn more here.

Study online, at your own pace, to earn a Robotics Technician Certificate. This accredited program prepares you to install, maintain, operate, and repair industrial robotics systems. The RoboLogix simulation software converts your computer into a virtual robot. The simulation environments include conveyor/palletizing, pick-and-place, spray painting, and welding. Get Info Pack!

With greater search and filtering options, the newly enhanced GlobalSpec.com makes it even easier for you to the find the products and services you need and connect with suppliers. It's all about getting you to what you are looking for, faster. IHS GlobalSpec remains your key resource to discover the products, services and information you need to do your job. Visit GlobalSpec.com and get started.

This part of ISO 10218, available now from IHS, specifies requirements and guidelines for the inherent safe design, protective measures, and information for use of industrial robots. It describes basic hazards associated with robots and provides requirements to eliminate, or adequately reduce, the risks associated with these hazards.

For more information on IHS standards, visit us here.

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