In today's world, robots are pretty simple devices. Some of the simple tasks that our bodies perform, such as picking up an object, are a bit difficult for robots. The human brain is capable of processing many bits of data in a fraction of a second to make the action of picking something up happen.
Robots, unlike humans, are not born but built. They are forged by robot manufacturers from conventional materials. However, the industrial robot arm has many similarities to the human arm. The connections and joints contained in both are very similar. The robotic arm draws its energy from these links to function.
Robotic arms are made up of several parts that help the arm function properly in terms of the work assigned to the robotic arm. This article examines the internal composition of an industrial robotic arm.
Parts of a robotic arm
It is not uncommon for a robotic arm to consist of a few parts. These include the controller, the arm, the encoder, the end effector, the sensors, and many other parts.
The Controller
The controller acts as the brain and central processor of the robotic arm. With the controller, the robotic arm can be programmed automatically or manually instructed by an operator.
Ideally, there are control consoles for industrial robotic arms, and they come in several models depending on the processing power required by the robotic arm. Some of these controls, depending on the complexity of the arm, use computer systems while others use simple controllers such as conventional joysticks.
The arm
The central arm is the main part of an industrial robotic arm, and is composed of three parts: the shoulder, the elbow and the wrist. These three parts are connected to each other, with the shoulder resting at the base of the arm and being connected to the control system to allow forward, backward and rotational movements.
The elbow is located in the middle and allows the upper arm to move forward and backward independently of the lower arm. The wrist is located at the very top of the robotic arm and is connected to the end effector.
The encoder
An encoder is an instrument that indicates the angle or position of the rotating shaft. Having an encoder can provide substantial data on the direction and amount of robot motion.
Optical encoders typically have a ring connected to the rotating shaft of the motor. The ring has been cut at standard intervals to allow light to pass through. On both sides of the ring are light receiving elements, photodiodes and LEDs, light emitting diodes. This makes it possible to differentiate the intensity of the light, whether it is bright or dark.
Once the motor is running, the light passes through the slots or is refused entry. By observing the signals, the position and speed of rotation can be calculated. This will allow the servo motors to accurately manipulate the angle and speed.
The end effector
The end effector is essentially the hand of the robotic arm. It usually consists of two, sometimes three, claws that open or close according to the instructions received. Some end effectors are also able to rotate at the wrist, allowing for easy maneuvering of equipment and materials.
Sensors
These are parts contained in a robotic arm, but are more commonly found in advanced robots. Robotic arms equipped with sensors recognize their environment and react accordingly. Sensors are very important in robotic arms because they help avoid collisions and accidents. For example, the robot will stop if a manual operator appears to be in danger.
Conclusion
To summarize, this review has explained the general shape of industrial robots as well as their internal structure. This knowledge can be very crucial to understand the operation of the arm.