Industrial robots have already become the backbone of various industries, yet many people still may not know what industrial robots do. From their humble beginnings to their evolution into manufacturing mainstays, these robots also have a ton of untapped potential. This Revelation Machinery guide explains everything you need to know about industrial robots.
In the simplest possible terms, industrial robots are programmable machines designed to carry out various tasks within a manufacturing environment. These multipurpose machines are key in modern automation and offer substantial speed, precision, and efficiency improvements. Let’s take a closer look at some of their key characteristics.
- Programmable: What are industrial robots if not highly-programmable instruments? These robots can easily be programmed using various software interfaces to perform pre-determined actions and follow set paths.
- This control method allows manufacturers to maintain consistency in their production, even when managing complex operations involving hundreds of employees and multiple pieces of expensive industrial machinery.
- Safety: Safety is a huge priority when working with any piece of powerful equipment. The speed and power offered by industrial robots are balanced out by their built-in safety features. These robots typically operate in dedicated spaces on the production floor, closed off by light curtains and barriers.
- Payload Capacity: If you know what industrial robots are, you’re likely already familiar with their varying payload capacities. Manufacturing robots are incredibly versatile in terms of their maximum payload capacities. For example, an industrial robot on an aerospace production line can hold and manipulate components weighing hundreds and even thousands of kilograms.
- Precision: What industrial robots do in their everyday operations can vary greatly based on the industry in question. Luckily for manufacturers, industrial robots aren’t just effective at handling massive payloads; they’re also just as precise.
‘Precision’ in this context refers to the industrial robot’s effector and its accuracy. The effector can be programmed to consistently perform actions with pinpoint accuracy, which is essential for tasks like assembly and machining.
- Durability: Most answers to ‘What are industrial robots?’ tend to miss out on this key characteristic, focusing instead on their accuracy and repeatability. Industrial robots are often deployed in incredibly harsh environments and exposed to high temperatures, corrosive materials, dust, and vibrations.
Key Applications
Now that we’ve established the basics, we can move on to some key applications and industries where industrial robots are commonly used.
Automotive Manufacturing
Automotive manufacturing and industrial robots are practically synonymous, and for good reason. Automotive mass production involves several difficult tasks that are simply too time-consuming and repetitive for human workers to complete consistently. For example:
- Industrial robots are what allow manufacturers to perform precise spot and arc welding, creating the general structure of the car by joining different panels together.
- Tasks like painting and coating can be performed uniformly by robotic arms equipped with specialized equipment. These arms can be programmed to reach difficult angles and crevices for a complete, high-quality finish.
Metal Fabrication
Fabrication processes, particularly those involving metal, typically occur in punishing high-temperature environments. What industrial robots do here is offer a safer and quicker way to work with difficult materials.
For example, industrial robots frequently incorporate plasma and laser-cutting tools to cut complex shapes in metal plates. This process can be automated using software, further reducing material waste and boosting efficiency.
Electronics Assembly
Even if you don’t know what industrial robots are, you’ve probably already seen a clip of one in an assembly line somewhere. The electronics industry relies heavily on industrial robots for their precision rather than their high payload capacities. For example, electronics manufacturing involves the delicate assembly of circuit boards. Each board needs to be identical; even a tiny mistake can lead to thousands of recalled products.
Looking Ahead
While ideas about industrial robots started to float around as early as the 1920s, it wasn’t until the 60s that the world got its first unit, courtesy of General Motors. These machines have come a long way since then, with innovation leapfrogging due to the introduction of microprocessors.
Considering what industrial robots are and their progress so far, it’s exciting to note that the next big step in their evolution might already be here. Factories already use IoT-enabled robots to boost their productivity, allowing industrial robots to communicate with other machinery through sensors and ML-driven processors.
Try It Yourself!
This equipment is also more affordable than ever. Businesses can leverage used robots for sale online to revolutionize their production lines with the click of a button, and the possibilities for what industrial robots can do are endless. Get started today with Revelation Machinery’s massive nationwide inventory of used equipment. Find the perfect fit for your production floor with our expert team.