Industrial Robot Types: A Guide to Choosing the Right Robot for Your Business

Industrial robots are essential for automating tasks in manufacturing, logistics, and other industries. There are many different types of industrial robots, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right robot for your business can be a challenge, but it's important to make the right choice in order to maximize productivity and efficiency.

Types of Industrial Robots

There are many different ways to classify industrial robots, but the most common classification is based on the robot's structure. The four main structural types of industrial robots are:

Articulated robots have a jointed arm that can move in multiple directions. They are often used for assembly, welding, and painting.

Cartesian robots have a rectangular frame that moves in three directions. They are often used for pick-and-place operations and machine loading.

SCARA robots have a jointed arm that moves in two directions. They are often used for assembly and inspection.

Delta robots have a triangular frame that moves in three directions. They are often used for pick-and-place operations and packaging.

In addition to structural type, industrial robots can also be classified by their drive system, payload capacity, and reach.

Structural Type	Description	Examples
Articulated	Jointed arm that can move in multiple directions	Assembly, welding, painting
Cartesian	Rectangular frame that moves in three directions	Pick-and-place operations, machine loading
SCARA	Jointed arm that moves in two directions	Assembly, inspection
Delta	Triangular frame that moves in three directions	Pick-and-place operations, packaging

Drive System	Description	Examples
Electric	Electric motors power the robot's joints	Most industrial robots
Hydraulic	Hydraulic fluid powers the robot's joints	Heavy-duty robots
Pneumatic	Compressed air powers the robot's joints	Small, lightweight robots

Payload Capacity	Description	Examples
Low	Less than 10 kg	Small assembly robots
Medium	10-100 kg	Welding robots, painting robots
High	Over 100 kg	Heavy-duty robots

Reach	Description	Examples
Short	Less than 1 m	Small assembly robots
Medium	1-3 m	Welding robots, painting robots
Long	Over 3 m	Heavy-duty robots

Benefits of Industrial Robots

Industrial robots offer a number of benefits for businesses, including:

Increased productivity

Improved quality

Reduced labor costs

Increased safety

Greater flexibility

For example, a study by the Robotics Industries Association (RIA) found that companies that use industrial robots experience an average increase in productivity of 25%.

How to Choose the Right Industrial Robot

Choosing the right industrial robot for your business can be a challenge, but it's important to make the right choice in order to maximize productivity and efficiency. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing an industrial robot:

The type of task you need the robot to perform

The payload capacity you need

The reach you need

The speed and accuracy you need

The environment in which the robot will be operating

Once you have considered these factors, you can start to narrow down your choices. It's important to consult with a robotics expert to get help choosing the right robot for your specific needs.

Getting Started with Industrial Robots

If you're new to industrial robots, there are a few things you should do to get started:

Learn about the different types of industrial robots

Read case studies to see how other companies are using industrial robots

Attend a robotics trade show or conference

Consult with a robotics expert

Once you have a good understanding of industrial robots, you can start to explore your options and make a decision about which robot is right for your business.

Stories

Story 1

Benefit: Increased productivity

How to:

A large automobile manufacturer was able to increase productivity by 25% by using industrial robots to automate the welding process. The robots were able to weld faster and more accurately than human workers, resulting in a significant increase in output.

Story 2

Benefit: Improved quality

How to:

A medical device manufacturer was able to improve the quality of its products by using industrial robots to assemble the devices. The robots were able to assemble the devices more precisely than human workers, resulting in a decrease in defects.

Story 3

Benefit: Reduced labor costs

How to:

A small electronics manufacturer was able to reduce labor costs by 30% by using industrial robots to automate the assembly process. The robots were able to assemble the products faster and more efficiently than human workers, resulting in a significant decrease in labor costs.

Effective Strategies, Tips and Tricks

Use industrial robots to automate repetitive tasks.

Choose the right robot for the job.

Invest in training for your employees.

Keep your robots well-maintained.

Use industrial robots to improve safety.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't underestimate the cost of industrial robots.

Don't choose the wrong robot for the job.

Don't neglect training for your employees.

Don't forget to maintain your robots.

Don't overlook the safety implications of using industrial robots.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of industrial robots?

What are the benefits of using industrial robots?

How do I choose the right industrial robot for my business?

How do I get started with industrial robots?

What are some effective strategies for using industrial robots?

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using industrial robots?

Call to Action

If you're interested in learning more about industrial robots, please visit the following resources:

Robotics Industries Association (RIA): https://www.robotics.org/

International Federation of Robotics (IFR): https://www.ifr.org/

Association for Advancing Automation (A3): https://www.a3automate.org/

Industrial Robot Types: A Guide to Choosing the Right Robot for Your Business