Practical Use of End Effectors in Collaborative Robots
Apr 26, 2021
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Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, have transformed and redefined how various tasks are accomplished in the manufacturing industries. Cobots are light in weight and are extremely flexible, and hence can contribute to enhanced productivity at minimal costs.Cobots are easy to set up compared to the traditional robots, given that they have the robot arm and the end effectors as their major parts. A robot end effector is versatile and flexible, which makes it possible for numerous tasks to be accomplished in the shortest time possible. The end effectors are located towards the periphery of a robot’s arm. They are intended to handle objects.
The end effectors can only move from one point to another upon their activation via the related software. This article focuses on robot end effectors and their uses.
Uses of End Effectors
There are six main ways end effectors can be utilized. They are as follows.
1. Pick and place
This task involves picking an object from one point and placing it on another point. The act of picking and placing necessitates high levels of precision plus capabilities of handling objects safely regardless of the material or extent of the fragility of the object.
Your choice of gripper is highly reliant on your target for picking and placing, and the type of objects you want to be handled. For instance, classic grippers consist of enormous strokes plus fingertips that are customizable to accomplish the target tasks. Classic grippers can be utilized in the categorization of materials based on the shape, material plus sizes.
In dealing with the pick and place for delicate items, human fingerprints are required to minimize the rate of a defect by up to 60%. The type of gripers that best suit such a scenario are the grippers equipped with the F/T sensors.
Moreover, there are electric vacuum grippers and adhesive grippers.
2. Machine tending
This task involves the process of overseeing a machine as it accomplishes its tasks. It involves loading and offloading machines, but can also comprise tasks such as part inspection. This task is monotonous, hence, it necessitates high extents of consistency over an extended period.
Since machine tending involves heightened risks of getting hurt and achieving great product inconsistencies, the cobots would be an ideal replacement for human labor. The utilization of cobots enhances employee safety, increases consistency, and minimizes cycle times.
3. Packaging plus palletizing
These two processes comprise precise, high-speed packaging and assembly, loading of products plus palletizing. This part of production requires fast or quick handling of goods, with utmost care for fragile products.
The cobots specially designed for packaging and palletizing have flexible end effectors whose function is to optimize packaging tasks, and release workers from monotonous tasks.
4. Assembly
Assembly is a manufacturing process that involves the creation of products by bringing together parts after parts of the item at hand. One part of the product is added one after another in an order that has already been stipulated.
Objects of varying sizes, shapes, and material constituents require assembling to produce high-quality products. Given that the task is repetitive, and requires handling of varying materials types and sizes, cobots are best suited. To reliably generate high-quality, close to zero defect products, the robots are employed.
5. Quality testing plus inspection
Product testing and inspection for quality requires the application of a consistent level of force. High levels of precision are required to exert an equal amount of tension plus pressure while carrying out quality testing plus inspection, something which is not forthcoming from human labor.
However, cobots operate with high levels of precision, and can therefore be programmed to perform quality testing plus inspection tasks. Also, monotonous product tests that involve a series of steps can be performed better by cobots via the end effectors.
6. Surface finishing
This process entails flexibility. It is the dirtiest process of the production or manufacturing process, qualifying it for automation. Some of the surface finishing tasks that can be accomplished effectively via the use of end effectors comprise sanding, buffing, and polishing.
All these surface finishing tasks can be effected on varied materials like plastic, wood, metal, marble, and even carbon fiber. The mentioned surfaces requiring surface finishing vary, and require the cobots to be programmed to achieve the desired finish.
Conclusion
Cobots are effective in relieving workers from monotonous tasks, and tasks that expose workers to injuries. Cobots have end effectors mounted at the end of the cobot’s arms. Since cobots almost guarantee high levels of precision, accurateness, and can work round the clock making it possible to meet high demands.
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