Robotics & Machine Automation Blog

• Pneumatics

2-Pressure-Select Pneumatic Circuits

When designing pneumatic circuits, there are usually various ways to achieve your desired end goals. Some designs can be complex with many parts to consider, while other designs can be relatively simple; both can give you similar end results. I’d like to explore some options for designing a “2-Pressure-Select” pneumatic circuit. This type of circuit is typically used on an actuator when you need to quickly switch from a higher pressure to a lower pressure (or vice-versa) while moving in the same direction.

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• Partner: Omron

6 Lessons Learned From the Installation of Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

The implementation of Lean Manufacturing Systems, the drive to reduce waste along with human ‘steps’, and the need to connect islands of automation, have all increased the interest in and implementation of Mobile Robots such as Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs). AGVs are changing the game as they are becoming more affordable.

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• Pneumatics

Achieving Motion Control With A Pneumatic Actuator

Can true motion control be obtained with a pneumatic actuator? The ideal motion control motion profile has a trapezoidal shape and looks like the figure above. This is the typical profile desired by most engineers when programming a move controlled by servo motor moving a linear actuator. Can a move such as this be obtained when using a pneumatic actuator?

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• Partner: Omron

Programming Robots with PLCs

In today’s rapidly changing world of automation, it seems as though every year there is a new way to program or some new wrinkle in every manufacturer’s PLC or Machine Controller lineup. To keep up, this usually requires a software upgrade and some more training. In response to this, most integrators and OEM machine builders will lock onto one company and hold on for dear life.

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• Robotics

Universal Robots Application Programming: Segmentation and Organization

Series Introduction Universal Robots has come to be known as the leader in the collaborative robotics industry. They also have a strong reputation for being easy to implement and program. There is no doubt that, compared to other collaborative robot products and traditional industrial robots, Universal Robots has a very user-friendly interface.

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• Robotics

Universal Robots Application Programming: Machine Features

Series Introduction Universal Robots has come to be known as the leader in the collaborative robotics industry. They also have a strong reputation for being easy to implement and program. There is no doubt that, compared to other collaborative robot products and traditional industrial robots, Universal Robots has a very user-friendly interface.

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• ElectroMechanical Motion Control

Yaskawa SigmaLogic7 Compact Is Rockwell AOI Compatible

Uncompromising Motion and Control performance are now available to OEM’s and Machine Builders as Yaskawa adds new Rockwell AOI-friendly servo amplifier solutions to the state-of-the-art Sigma-7 line.

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• Partner: Omron

4 Steps to Building Custom Industrial Robots

Industrial robotics typically come in four main types: Delta, SCARA, Cartesian, and robotic arms with 3-7 joints. These have become the standard for the industrial robot market because almost every application can be solved with one of these types. As the demand for industrial robots grows, the type and complexity of applications being solved also grows. The question is, what happens when an application calls for features or abilities that standard off-the-shelf industrial robots can’t tackle, thus requiring a custom robotic solution?

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• Robotics

Optimizing Machine Tending With Robots

For years, suppliers to the automotive and truck transportation manufacturing markets have seen demands for additional processing and finishing to make their components ready for the assembly line. Additional machining and assembly processes are now being required in the contracts of Tier I and Tier II suppliers. This pushes many manufacturers to expand their operations beyond their core competencies to meet added processing requirements while continuing to meet volume demand.

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