Ada Robot untuk Itu!
Ketika Anda berpikir tentang robot industri, hal pertama yang mungkin terlintas dalam pikiran adalah robot las di jalur perakitan mobil, tetapi robot industri berperforma tinggi dirancang secara unik untuk lebih dari itu. Dari industri kedirgantaraan hingga laboratorium klinis, dan segala sesuatu di antaranya, otomasi robotik dapat membawa proses produksi pabrik, otomasi target tugas, dan aplikasi lain ke level berikutnya. Berikut adalah beberapa penggunaan yang menarik dan mengesankan yang dapat menginspirasi Anda untuk menerapkan otomatisasi robot dalam waktu dekat.
Ablasi Laser
Aplikasi/Industri Otomotif, Dirgantara
Model Robot Biasanya, robot lengan panjang dengan muatan lebih rendah (mis., Yaskawa AR3120). Satu atau lebih robot dapat digunakan, bergantung pada ukuran bagian dan waktu siklus yang diinginkan.
Deskripsi Dalam aplikasi di mana permukaan memiliki lapisan (seperti cat, minyak, glasir, dll.) yang perlu dihilangkan, bahan kimia biasanya digunakan. Sayangnya, hal ini menimbulkan banyak limbah yang biasanya dianggap bahan berbahaya. Dampak lingkungan selanjutnya, dan dengan demikian regulasi, membuat penggunaan pelarut kimia menjadi sulit untuk proses ini. Selain itu, jumlah jam kerja manual yang diperlukan untuk menyeka atau mengikis lapisan untuk meninggalkan substrat bersih memakan waktu.
Masukkan ablasi laser, yang membakar lapisan pelapis ini untuk meninggalkan substrat yang bersih dan murni. Filter atau perangkat penahanan lainnya kemudian dengan mudah mengumpulkan lapisan karbonisasi. Karena proses laser termal memerlukan sel kerja yang kedap cahaya, robot diperlukan untuk keamanan yang tepat. Robot juga dapat diprogram untuk mengikuti kelengkungan permukaan yang rumit, daripada menggunakan otomatisasi keras lainnya.
Pencetakan Inkjet Permukaan Kompleks
Aplikasi/Industri Dirgantara, potensial untuk yang lain
Model Robot Lengan panjang untuk ruang angkasa, lebih kecil tergantung skala.
Deskripsi Di masa lalu, saat menerapkan grafik ke pesawat terbang atau permukaan besar lainnya, sulit untuk membuat detail secara akurat saat bekerja dengan permukaan melengkung dan rumit. Namun, sebuah proyek tahun 2017 oleh Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) telah mewujudkan tugas rumit ini, dengan menggunakan kepala cetak inkjet khusus yang terpasang di lengan robot. Proses yang rumit ini menggunakan pencetakan digital untuk kinerja yang unggul dan menggantikan tugas tradisional yang padat karya untuk melukis grafis atau menerapkan stiker dalam berbagai orientasi di area yang luas. Seperti ablasi laser, robot ini direkayasa untuk bermanuver dengan mudah, dengan ahli mengakomodasi perubahan sudut permukaan dengan sangat baik, dan menjaga keterulangan dan kualitas pencetakan yang konsisten.
Sejak awal teknologi ini, perusahaan seperti pabrikan robot Belanda, XYREC, bekerja sama dengan SwRI, Airbus dan Marabu, telah berhasil mendemonstrasikan aplikasi revolusioner ini di pesawat terbang, mengklaim dapat mengurangi waktu di bengkel pengecatan dari 16 menjadi 5 hari. Potentially compatible with any surface substrate, this technology could also be used to apply one-off or custom graphics to smaller surfaces, like textiles and billboards, or even complex graphics to wider surface areas.
Additive Manufacturing
Application/Industry Prototyping, Custom Parts
Robot Model Varies – usually a highly repeatable, 6-axis robot with six degrees of freedom (i.e., Yaskawa AR1440).
Description Thanks to the adoption of motion control technology, robotics and power conversion, 3D printing has reached a level of finesse and precision in recent years that is good enough to create usable parts without any (or much) finishing. Ideal for attaching unique tooling that enables a wide area 3D printer, the use of industrial robots in additive manufacturing is helping to create a diverse mix of products, including machine tooling fixtures.
Once limited to plastics, today’s technology can accommodate substances such as ceramics, composites, metals, hybrid materials and more. Most recently, advancements in slicer software within offline robot programming software has made it possible to print metal pieces using filler metal techniques such as MIG, TIG, or laser welding. These parts can then be used directly or machined as needed, saving a great deal of waste from other milling or machine techniques on a block of metal.
High-Precision Milling
Application/Industry Machining, Custom Components
Robot Model Versatile and powerful handling robot with a mid-range payload. (i.e., Yaskawa GP-series robots).
Description Traditionally an arduous manual task, milling is the process of grinding or cutting superfluous material away from a mold to form a specific structure. In an effort to increase worker safety, accelerate production rates, enhance product quality and better adhere to industry standards, companies in diverse industries are implementing the use of automated milling systems, with easy-to-program robots equipped with flexible tooling. This is often used in conjunction with 3D printing for part finishing.
Pallet Assembly
Application/Industry Pallet Production
Robot Model 6-axis palletizing robot, ranging in payload from 50 kg to 800 kg.
Description Difficult and dangerous, the task of manually building pallets is hard work. This, combined with the growing trend for stronger custom-designed pallets, has prompted competitive-minded manufacturers to implement robotic pallet assembly systems that provide the flexibility and consistency needed to build custom, stringer and block pallets from the same system. Likewise, freeing workers from the dull, dirty and dangerous work of pallet production allows decision makers to redeploy skilled workers to higher-value jobs within the company, maximizing return on investment.
Meat Processing
Application/Industry Meat Packing, Poultry Production, etc.
Robot Model Fast and powerful handling robot with a medium range payload.
Description While safer and more sanitary than in the past, meat packing and poultry production plants still present distinct hazards that can impact the physical health of manual workers. To reduce human error and protect employees, meat and poultry processing companies are seeking out robotic technology to drive safety, optimizing efficiency in the process. Furthermore, improvements in vision technology and end-of-arm tooling over the last decade have enabled robots to easily facilitate a variety meat processing tasks, optimizing production.
Speciman Processing
Application/Industry Clinical Laboratory
Robot Model Varies on application (i.e, Yaskawa MotoMini for bulk oader, or a high-performance 6-axis robot with a lower payload for centrifuge).
Description From skilled technician shortages to rigorous accreditation requirements – along with rising specimen volumes combined with inefficient workflows – clinical laboratories are facing many challenges today. Chief among these is the pressure to expand services in creative ways, providing a more value-based care approach while yielding cost savings. In an effort to move forward into the future of Clinical Laboratory 2.0, high throughput clinical diagnostic labs are turning to robotic automation solutions to complete pre- and post-analytic specimen sorting and processing tasks.
Ribbon Tying
Application/Industry Food and Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Products, Tacking and Logistics, Industrial Packaging
Robot Model Compact and agile material handling robot with a lower payload.
Description Manual bow tying can be a tedious task, potentially causing physical harm to workers. Due to increased demand for customized packaging, ribbon tying is growing in popularity. First used in 2014 for Esther Price Fine Chocolates Candy Co., this difficult to automate application required the combined use of 3D simulation software for precise programming and a high-performance robot for greater maneuverability and consistency. Likewise, having the proper end-of-arm tooling and a controlled environment for this application was critical to achieving optimal choreographed repetition.
Entertaining / Food Assembling
Application/Industry Entertainment, Casual Dining, Theme Park, etc.
Robot Model Varies on application.
Description Not only do industrial robots help provide consistency for certain tasks in day-to-day operations, but also, they allow restaurant and other business owners to provide a unique experience to patrons. From being used for carnival rides to making egg sandwiches and dispensing ice cream, industrial robots are growing in use throughout the entertainment world. When outfitted with the proper end-of-arm tooling and equipped with the correct safety features, robots can accomplish a wide variety of out-of-the-box tasks such as bartending and more.
Conclusion
While the list for these unique applications could go on, the fact that industrial robots are able to add value to businesses in nearly every industry is impressive to say the least. The truth is, certain applications are extremely unsafe for humans to try, making those tasks perfect for robotic automation. Other applications that are dull or dirty are well-suited for robots, as they can fill a need where a human may not want to do the work. If you can dream it, most likely, our team of experts can make it a reality. And, if you are on the fence about whether a particular task could be automated, chances are, there’s a robot for that!
