According to the definition in ISO 8373, an industrial robot is a multi-joint mechanical arm or multi-degree-of-freedom robot designed for industrial applications. An industrial robot is a machine device that automatically performs tasks, relying on its own power and control capabilities to achieve various functions. It can accept commands from humans or operate according to pre-programmed instructions, and modern industrial robots can also act based on principles set by artificial intelligence technology.
——Wikipedia
01
Composition of Industrial Robots
Industrial robots are mainly composed of three basic parts: the main body, the drive system, and the control system.
Main Body – This includes the base and the end effector, comprising the arm, wrist, and hand, and some robots also have locomotion mechanisms. Most industrial robots have 3 to 6 degrees of freedom, with the wrist typically having 1 to 3 degrees of freedom;
Drive System – This includes the power unit and the transmission mechanism, with the core components being the reducer and the servo motor, which enable the end effector to perform corresponding movements;
Control System – This issues command signals to the drive system and end effector according to the input program and performs control.
Diagram of an industrial robot disassembled
02
Classification of Industrial Robots
There is no unified international standard for the classification of industrial robots; they can be categorized based on load capacity, control methods, degrees of freedom, structure, application areas, etc.
Classification by structural form is as follows:
Classification by application is as follows:
03
Industrial Robot Industry Chain
The industrial robot industry chain mainly consists of robot component manufacturers, robot body manufacturers, agents, system integrators, and end users. The body is the core of the robot industry chain; typically, body manufacturers design the body, write software, and procure components through agents to sell to system integrators, who directly serve end customers. Some body manufacturers and agents also act as system integrators.
Regionally, Europe and Japan firmly dominate the industrial robot landscape, with Japan and Germany leading the world in industrial robot technology, primarily due to their first-mover advantage and technological accumulation. Japan has strong technical barriers in the research and development of key components for industrial robots (such as reducers and servo motors). Germany has certain advantages in raw materials, body components, and system integration.
From a corporate perspective, ABB, FANUC, KUKA, and YASKAWA are the four major players in the industrial robot market, accounting for approximately 50% of the global market share.
04
Working Principles of Industrial Robots
The working principle of robots is a relatively complex issue. Simply put, the principle of a robot is to imitate various human limb movements, thought processes, and decision-making capabilities. From a control perspective, robots can achieve this goal through the following four methods.
“Teaching and Reproduction” Method: It teaches the mechanical arm how to move through a “teaching box” or by direct human guidance, and the controller memorizes the teaching process, allowing the robot to repetitively perform the taught actions, such as in spray painting robots.
“Programmable Control” Method: Workers pre-program control programs based on the robot’s tasks and motion trajectories, then input the control program into the robot’s controller. When the control program is activated, the robot completes the actions step by step as specified by the program. If the task changes, the control program can be easily modified or rewritten, making it very flexible. Most industrial robots operate according to these first two methods.
“Remote Control” Method: A human controls the robot using a wired or wireless remote in hard-to-reach or dangerous environments, such as bomb disposal robots, military robots, and robots working in nuclear radiation or chemically contaminated environments.
“Autonomous Control” Method: This is the highest and most complex control method in robotics, requiring robots to have the ability to recognize their environment and make autonomous decisions in complex, unstructured environments, akin to certain intelligent behaviors of humans.
For instance, a six-axis vertical multi-joint robot can achieve actions and coordination of six axes through its controller and control system, enabling movements such as S-axis rotation, L-axis lower arm tilting, U-axis upper arm tilting, R-axis arm swinging, B-axis wrist pitching, and T-axis wrist rotation.
If a centralized control system is used, its control principle will be as shown in the following diagram:
However, if a distributed control system is used, its control principle will be as shown in the following diagram:
05
Challenges Faced by Industrial Robot Manufacturers
With the continuous upgrading of the industrial manufacturing sector and the emergence of various new technologies, robot manufacturers must also consider the usage needs of their end users during the production process. For instance, as factories and production lines undergo upgrades and renovations, robot manufacturers need to adapt to market changes and make corresponding adjustments.
End
Source: Industrial Control Sharing
