OVERVIEW
Classification of Industrial Robots
Work Volume
Arm Configuration
Advantages and Disadvantages of Robot Configurations
CLASSIFICATION OF ROBOTS
1. Based on Robot Arm Configuration
Cartesian coordinate
Cylindrical coordinate
Polar coordinate
Jointed arm configuration
2. Based on Power Source
Pneumatic
Hydraulic
Electric
3. Based on path control
Limited Sequence Robot
Point to point control
Path controlled Robot
WORK VOLUME
Work volume or work envelope refers to the space within which the robot can
manipulate its wrist end.
For defining the work volume, the wrist end convention is adopted to avoid the
complication of different sizes of end effectors that might be attached to the
robot’s wrist.
The work volume is determined by the following physical characteristics:
1. Robot’s physical configuration.
2. Sizes of the body, arm and wrist components.
3. Limits of robot’s joint movements.
ARM CONFIGURATION
Cartesian Coordinate System
• In this there are three orthogonal directions X,Y and Z.
• X-coordinate axis may represent left and right motion.
• Y-coordinate axis may represent forward and backward motion.
• Z-coordinate axis may represent up and down motions.
• Example of Cartesian System is Overhead Crane Movement.
Working Envelope of Cartesian Configuration Robot
The working envelope of the Cartesian configuration is a rectangular prism.
The robot can manipulate its maximum payload throughout the working volume.
Advantages:
Work envelope can be increased by travelling along the x axis.
Linear movement and hence simpler control.
High degree of accuracy and repeatability due to their structure.
Can carry heavier loads since load carrying capacity does not differ at different position
of the work envelope.
Disadvantages:
Movement is limited to only one direction at a time.
Applications:
Pick and place operation.
Adhesive applications.
Assembly and sub assembly.
Nuclear material handling.
Welding
Cylindrical Configuration Robot
• It uses a vertical column and a slide that can be moved up or down along the
column.
• The robot arm is attached to the slide so that it can be moved radially with respect
to the column.
• By rotating the column, the robot is capable of achieving a work space that
approximates a cylinder.
• It contains two linear motions and one rotational motion.
• Angular Motion, θ along vertical axis; Translation Motion, z along z-direction that
corresponds to up and down motion; Radial, r in or out translation.
Working Envelope of Cylindrical Configuration Robot
The working envelope of this configuration is as its name suggests a cylinder.
Advantages
Results in larger work volume than a rectangular manipulator.
Vertical structure conserves floor space.
Capable of carrying large payloads.
Disadvantages
Repeatability and accuracy are lower in the direction of rotary motion.
Requires more sophisticated control system.
Applications
Assembly.
Coating application
Die casting.
Foundry and forging application
Machine loading and unloading.