Chapter 6

An introduction to
industrial robots
 Learning Outcomes

• Understand the meaning of the term robotics

•
• Understand the meaning of the term robot
•
• Identify the different generation of robot development
and appreciate the difference between them.
•
• Recognize some of the advantages and disadvantages of
introducing robots to manufacturing applications.
•
• Understand the various elements of the robots system
Robot Versus Human
 Robots and robotics

• The general definition of robotics is ‘’the science or

technology of robots.’’

• In Europe robotics is defined as ‘’the science of

robotology’’ and robotology is defined as ‘’ the
means by which robot machines are put together
and made to work.’’

• Robotics encompasses diverse area of technology

as mechanical, electrical, electronic systems,
computer hardware, and computer software.
 Type of robots

• Industrial robots
• military robots
• show or promotional robots
• educational robots
• medical robots
• domestic or personal robot
 What is an industrial robot?
As defined by the Japanese Association:

An industrial robot is defined as an all-

purpose machine equipped with a memory
device and a terminal, and capable of
rotation and of replacing human labor by
automatic performance of movement.
 What is an industrial robot?
• As defined by the robot institute of America:

An industrial robot is defined as a reprogrammable,

multifunctional manipulator designed to move
material, parts tools or specialized device, through
variable programmed motions, for performance of a
variable tasks.
 What is an industrial robot?
As defined by the robot institute of America:

An industrial robot is defined as a

reprogrammable, multifunctional manipulator
designed to move material, parts tools or
specialized device, through variable
programmed motions, for performance of a
variable tasks.
 Features of industrial robot
• Industrial robots have been developed over a
number of years and have changed their
characteristics in line with advances in
computer technology.

• On other hand, the mechanical design of

robot has remained largely unchanged over
the years. It is convenient to think of robot
development in terms of generations as
follows.
 A-Generations of the robot

First generation robots:

• These were the early robots with neither
‘senses’ nor ‘brain’. In effect they lacked
sensor interfaces that would enable them
to interact with the environment so
receiving information from their
surroundings.
First generation robots
Second generation robots:
These are the robots that are currently available from robot
manufacturers and found in manufacturing industry. These robots are
provided with a fairly high level of computing power, allowing them to
process any data received and respond to changes taking place in the
environment as determined by sensing systems.
Third generation robots:
These are the generation currently under research. Not yet readily
available to industry they are characterized by their ability to think.
They will be able to make decisions, execute tasks and interpret
information via sensors and other means.
 B-Robot activities

The type of activities that robots are involved

with in industry can be considered under
four categories which cover a range from
relatively simple applications to those
requiring high accuracy and control
• Category a:
• Robots may be used in processes that required
low accuracy curve following with no gripping
requirements. There is no requirement that the
robot actually touches a component, rather it is
required to maintain a fixed distance away from
a component as to moves through the path.

• Paint spraying is example of this type of process

where the robot may be required to maintain a
distance of say 20cm from a surface but it is not
critical if the path varies by 2cm.
• Category b:
• There are processes requiring low precision gripping
operations. Typical processes in this category are unloading
of die casting, injection moulding machines and heat
treatment operations.

• Category c:
• Processes involving more precise handling operations
necessitating interstage tooling and special gripping facilities
for each different operation. Example is transfer between
stations for hot and cold forging operations.

• Category d:
• Assembly operations and processes requiring a similar
degree of handling and positioning accuracy with versatility of
manipulate and gripping. Typical process is robotic tacking
device (RTD).
Robotic Tacking Device (RTD).
 Advantages of introducing robots to industry
• Some of the advantages, tangible and
intangible benefits of introducing robots can
be listed as follows:
• Advantages
• 1. Safety of workers
• A. hazardous environments
• Toxic fumes
• High temperatures
• Radiation
•
• B. hazardous operations
• Loading and unloading dangerous
machinery
 Advantages of introducing robots to industry

• 2. Better working environment

• 3. Higher productivity
A. No need for rest breaks
B. 24hours operation
C. in some cases higher speed of operation
D. fewer mistakes resulting in less scrap

• 4. Ability to work from unusual orientations, such as

ceiling or wall mounts.
 Tangible and Intangible benefits
• Tangible benefits
• increased plant production
• increased product quality
• Decreased energy requirements
• decreased raw material requirements
• manpower savings

• Intangible benefits
• increased plant and personnel safety
• reduce maintenance requirements
• increased flexibility of the system with respect to changes
or additions
• Better response to emergencies
• better maintenance scheduling
 Disadvantages of introducing
robot to industry
• fixed space required for the robot and controller
• High level language of programming
• Risk of using robot
• Start up time is required
• Fixed cost is high
• Skillful operator required
• High maintenance cost for robot and controller
1.2.The industrial robot systems
• 1.2.1 The robot arm

• The robot as used in industry is a device that

consists of a number of joints. Each joint is driven
by some form of actuator in a controlled fashion so
that the robot can perform the desired tasks. The
motions are computer controlled through the use
of a robot programme written by the user.

• Figure 1-1 shows a robot form that has movement

capabilities similar to the human body. There is a
waist, shoulder, elbow and wrist movement.
Figure 1-1: the complete robot system
 1.2.The industrial robot systems
• 1.2.2 The complete robot

• The complete robot package consists of the robot

and controller with teach pendant. There is also
usually a terminal of some kind that allows the user
to write programmers and to interact with the robot
through the controller (see figure 1-1).

• The controller contains the microprocessor that runs

the programme through the control software to drive
the robot joints and performs other activities.
1.2.The industrial robot systems
• 1.2.3 The working environment

• This is the environment that the robot works

in and interacts with.
• Figure 1-2 shows a robot cell that is
performing an assembly tasks. There may
also be sensor devices on the robot gripper
or on the other elements of the cell; these
provide information of the status of the
operation.
Figure 1-2: the robot and its environment
 Review questions

• What is robotics?

• What is an industrial robot?

• Name several different areas of robotics?

• Identify the different generation of robot development?

• Categorize the application areas for industrial robots?

• Recognize some of the advantages and disadvantages of introducing robots

to manufacturing applications?

• What is the main element of the robot system?