Robot cells make for an efficient automation process, reduce labor costs, and increase worker safety. Learn about the common features, components, and safety requirements of industrial robot work cells. See our related articles covering robot work cells: Automation on the Move: Mobile Robot Cells Collaborative Robot Cells: Simple and User-friendly Design Priorities Robotic work cells … Read more
Mobile robot work cells can move between workstations and tend to where demand is highest. These self-contained work cells offer more flexibility for manufacturers than industrial and collaborative robot cells we have previously talked about. See our previous articles covering robot work cells: Industrial Robot Cells: Designing for Safety and Effectiveness Collaborative Robot Cells: Simple … Read more
Learn about the common applications, programming procedures, and safety protocols of collaborative robot work cells, which are often simpler and less expensive than industrial robot work cells. See our related articles covering robot work cells: Automation on the Move: Mobile Robot Cells Industrial Robot Cells: Designing for Safety and Effectiveness Collaborative robots are a type … Read more
This article offers an introduction to cartesian (gantry) robots, including how they work and the applications they’re created for. Cartesian coordinate geometry is an excellent method for mapping three-dimensional space in a simple, easy-to-understand numerical system. In the Cartesian system for three-dimensional space, there are three coordinate axes that are perpendicular to each other (orthogonal axes) … Read more
Robots as a service (RaaS) can open the door to automation for small to mid-sized companies that are looking to automate a process without a large upfront capital investment. Figure 1. Autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) are common in warehousing applications. What is RaaS? The software industry, particularly cloud computing, has been developing products as a … Read more
The welder shortage is continuing to grow. Are cobots the answer to help relieve the welder shortage gap? Trade positions, such as machinists, welders, sheet metal workers, plumbers, and others, are in short supply. The shortage has been anticipated for decades, but the past few years have been a perfect storm. Between COVID-19 restrictions, supply … Read more
In this article, learn the basic principles of laser-guided vehicles (LGV), including navigation and control systems. An LGV is a subtype of automated guided vehicles (AGV). LGVs are equipped with a laser scanner for positioning and navigation. While laser guidance was first introduced at the end of the 1980s, LGVs today are machines at the … Read more
There are a lot of companies considering in-house automation or consulting with integrators for automated systems. But where do you start, and how do you even pick a project for automation? One of the most impressive things in the manufacturing world is when products are being made with little or no intervention, giving operators more … Read more
During national safety month, let’s dive into a safety feature required by OSHA: machine guards. OSHA Machine Guarding Standards Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the regulatory body in the United States for ensuring labor safety and devises protective methods from a severe or life-threatening injury. Machine parts, especially moving ones, can harm the … Read more
For many manufacturing processes, Cartesian robots work well. However, there are times with a robot with more movement capabilities works better. Learn about six-axis robots, how they move, and popular applications. Cartesian robots move on the x, y, and z-axis. It has three degrees of freedom for movement. The disadvantage of Cartesian or linear robots … Read more