What you need to know about robots

A robot is an automated machine, but unlike other machines, it possesses intelligent capabilities similar to those of humans or living organisms, such as perception, planning, action, and collaboration. It is a highly flexible automated machine.

Robot Classification

In my country, robots are classified into two categories based on their application environment: industrial robots and special robots. International robotics scholars also classify robots into two categories based on their application environment: industrial robots in manufacturing environments and service and humanoid robots in non-manufacturing environments.

Industrial robots are multi-joint manipulators or multi-degree-of-freedom robots used in industrial fields, such as robotic arms. Special robots are advanced robots used in non-manufacturing industries and serving humanity, excluding industrial robots. These include service robots, underwater robots, micro-manipulation robots, entertainment robots, military robots, agricultural robots, and roboticized machines.

Composition of Industrial Robots

Actuator – The actuator can grasp workpieces and move them to a specified position at a specified speed and trajectory, then release the workpiece. The actuator usually consists of the following parts: 1. Hand. The hand is the part of the industrial robot that grips the workpiece or tool. Some industrial robots directly fix tools (such as welding guns, paint spray guns, containers, etc.) to the hand, eliminating the need for a separate hand attachment. 2. Wrist. The wrist is the component that connects the arm to the hand. Its function is to adjust the position and orientation of the hand and expand the range of motion of the arm. 3. Arm. The arm supports the wrist and hand, expanding the range of motion of the hand. Both the hand, wrist, and arm have many shaft holes; a shaft and a joint are formed between the shafts, and each joint gives the robot a degree of freedom.

Mechanical Body – 1. The mechanical body supports the hand, wrist, and arm, and the driving device and other devices are also fixed to the mechanical body. 2. For industrial robots that can move, the mechanical body is movable; otherwise, the mechanical body is directly fixed to the base. The walking mechanism is used to move the industrial robot. Some walking mechanisms imitate human legs, while others are simply track and wheel mechanisms. 3. The drive system is installed within the mechanical body, and its function is to provide power to the actuators. Based on different power sources, the transmission methods of drive systems are divided into four types: hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, and mechanical.

Control System – 1. Function of the control system. The control system is the command center of the industrial robot. It controls the industrial robot to perform actions according to a predetermined program. The control system can also store various instructions (such as action sequence, motion trajectory, motion speed, and timing of actions), and simultaneously issue instructions to various actuators. When necessary, the control system monitors its own behavior, and if there is any deviation, it can troubleshoot the cause of the fault and issue an alarm signal in a timely manner. 2. Artificial intelligence system. This gives industrial robots five sensory functions to achieve automatic recognition and adaptive operation of workpieces. Intelligent mechanical systems with self-adaptability are also the current development direction of mechatronics technology. Although the application of fuzzy computing is still in its early stages, truly adaptive intelligent systems will inevitably break through here.

Detection System – Primarily used to detect the position and posture of its execution system and feed this information back to the control system in a timely manner. The control system then issues adjustment signals based on this feedback information, causing the actuator to move further, thus enabling the execution system to reach the specified position and posture with a certain degree of accuracy.

Characteristics of Industrial Robots – Versatility, flexibility, automation, and accuracy.

Main Types of Industrial Robots – Welding robots, painting robots, assembly robots, mining robots, handling robots, food industry robots.

Brief Overview of Industrial Robot Development – ​​Japan has the world's leading technological strength and number of robots. Europe and the United States are rapidly catching up with Japan. China is relatively behind, but has developed rapidly in recent years. Robot performance is improving.

Industrial Robot System Components

1) The mechanical structure system of an industrial robot consists of three main parts: the base, the arm, and the end effector. Each major component has several degrees of freedom. If the base has a walking mechanism, it forms a walking robot; if the base does not have a walking or bending mechanism, it forms a single robot arm. The arm generally consists of an upper arm, a lower arm, and a wrist. The end effector is an important component directly mounted on the wrist. It can be a two-finger or multi-finger gripper, or it can be a spray gun, welding tool, or other working tool.

2) The drive system, in order to make the robot operate, requires the installation of transmission devices at each joint, i.e., at each degree of freedom of movement. This is the drive system. The drive system can be hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, or a combination of these systems. It can be direct drive or indirect drive through mechanical transmission mechanisms such as timing belts, chains, gear trains, and harmonic gears.

3) The sensing system consists of internal and external sensor modules, used to obtain meaningful information about the internal and external environment. The use of intelligent sensors improves the robot's mobility, adaptability, and intelligence. The human sensory system is extremely dexterous in perceiving information from the external world; however, for some specific information, sensors are more effective than the human sensory system.

4) The robot environment interaction system is a system for the exchange and coordination of information between modern industrial robots and external equipment. Industrial robots and external equipment are integrated into a functional unit, such as a processing unit, welding unit, or assembly unit. Of course, it can also be multiple robots, multiple machine tools or equipment, and multiple parts storage devices integrated into a functional unit to perform complex tasks.

5) The human-machine interface system is a device that allows operators to control and interact with the robot, such as a standard computer terminal, command console, information display panel, and danger signal alarm. This system can be broadly divided into two categories: command input devices and information display devices.

6) The robot control system is the brain of the robot and is the main factor determining the robot's function and performance.

The task of the control system is to control the robot's actuators to complete the specified movements and functions according to the robot's operation instruction program and the signals fed back from the sensors. If an industrial robot lacks information feedback capabilities, it is an open-loop control system; if it possesses information feedback capabilities, it is a closed-loop control system. Based on the control principle, control systems can be divided into programmed control systems, adaptive control systems, and artificial intelligence control systems. Based on the form of control operation, control systems can be divided into point-to-point control and continuous path control. Point-to-point control only controls the precise positioning of the actuator from one point to another, suitable for tasks such as machine tool loading and unloading, spot welding, and general handling and loading/unloading operations; continuous path control allows the actuator to move along a given trajectory, suitable for tasks such as continuous welding and painting.

Industrial Robot Applicat-ions

Definition of Industrial Robots: An industrial robot is a multi-purpose automatic operating device that can imitate the functions of certain human organs (mainly motor functions), has an independent control system, and can change its work program and programming.

In industrial production, industrial robots can replace humans in performing monotonous, frequent, and repetitive long-term tasks, or tasks in dangerous and harsh environments.  For example, they are used in processes such as stamping, die casting, heat treatment, welding, painting, plastic product molding, machining, and simple assembly, as well as in industries such as the nuclear industry, to handle or process materials harmful to humans.

As a key supporting force in modern manufacturing, industrial robots, with their diverse types, precise constituent systems, and outstanding characteristics, have demonstrated irreplaceable value in numerous industrial fields. From simple repetitive operations to complex and precise process flows, from dangerous and harsh environments to scenarios requiring extremely high precision, industrial robots can efficiently complete tasks with their inherent advantages. With continuous technological advancements, industrial robots are developing towards greater intelligence, flexibility, and collaboration. In the future, they will undoubtedly play an even more important role in promoting industrial upgrading, improving production efficiency, and ensuring production safety, injecting continuous momentum into the development of global manufacturing.