Classification of Industrial Robots
All industrial robots have their specific purpose, thus they can be classified according to various criteria such as type, load capacity, mechanical features, and control methods.
Types of Industrial Robots
Industrial robots are divided by the type of production into three main categories:
- Specialized Robots - designed for specific tasks.
- Universal Robots - advanced versions capable of performing various functions and operations on equipment of different purposes.
- Specialized Robots - can perform only one type of work and service a single target equipment.
Load Capacity
Robots can also be classified by load capacity:
- Light (up to 50 kg)
- Medium (from 50 to 1000 kg)
- Heavy (over 1000 kg)
Stationary and Suspended Robots
Depending on the ability to move, robots are divided into:
- Stationary Robots - perform transport and orienting movements.
- Suspended Robots - alongside their main functions, have the ability for coordinated movement, operating on rails.
Number of Axes and Mobility
Each robot has a certain number of axes for movement, which is linked to its classification. The maximum number of axes in a robot can reach six.
Types of Construction
Industrial robots can have various constructions:
- Built-in Robots - compact, space-saving, but can service only one process.
- Suspended and Floor Robots - have similar functions, capable of more complex actions, such as tool changes and servicing multiple machines.
Robot Control
Robots have different control systems that can be divided into:
- Program Control - based on cycle, numerical, positional, and contour measurement.
- Adaptive Control - able to respond to changes in the environment using measuring instruments, while the program may be incomplete.
Programming Methods
The programming method plays an important role in production. The main methods are:
- Analytical Method - includes the calculation of the robot's action program.