Popular Applications for Industrial Robots

Industrial robots can be used to automate a wide variety of applications. Their versatility is one of the many reasons for the rapid and continuing growth of robotic automation. Factories are relying less on manual labor and more on the FANUC Lr Mate 200ic and other articulated robots. While robots can automate most production related processes there are still some robotic applications that are more popular than others. Robotic users tend to gravitate to automating their most repetitive, dangerous, hazardous, or tedious tasks as these are often the most valuable to automate. Popular applications for industrial robots include:

• 1. Welding - Welding applications are the most popular for robotic automation. A shortage of skilled welders along with the tedious and hazardous nature of welding processes has led to the popularity of welding robots. The most popular welding applications are those that fall under the arc welding category, spot welding, laser welding, electron beam welding, and ultrasonic welding. There are many robots designed specifically for welding automation. The FANUC Arcmate 120ic is an arc welding robot. The main purpose of the ABB 6640 is for spot welding automation. Many multipurpose robots can also automate welding applications as is the case with the ABB 2400.


• 2. Assembly - Assembly processes can be painstaking, tiring, tedious, and repetitive which is why they have become popular for robotic automation. Assembly robots are being used in a number of industries including the automotive, pharmaceutical, and electronics. The ABB 120 is ideal for automating many small parts assemblies that are required for electronic devices. Six axis robots excel at repetitive tasks and are highly accurate. They can carefully and precisely put parts together without tiring or loosing focus. Automating assemblies with robots decreases cycle times and eliminates bottlenecks in your production.


• 3. Painting - Painting robots first got their start in the automotive industry and have since grown into one of the most popular types of robots. Industrial painting presents many hazards to workers including fumes and exposure to combustible chemicals. Not to mention painting requires a steady hand, even strokes, and great focus which is nearly impossible for humans to maintain. The FANUC Paintmate 200ia/5L and other painting robots outshine manual painting with their accurate paint application and steady robotic arms. Each paint job is smooth, even, and high quality. Painting robots are able to control parameters eliminating errors that lead to excess paint, too little paint, dripping, or bubbling. Painting robots are built with explosion proof arms so they can work with combustible paints without incident.


• 4. Material Removal - Material removal is another category of applications that present ergonomic hazards to humans. They can involve the operation of dangerous equipment, exposure to debris, and stress injuries due to repetitive motions. Many manufacturers are opting to automate their material removal tasks to improve the ergonomics of their factories. Robots often are used to automate cutting, sanding, deburring, routing, and grinding.


• 5. Pick and Place - Pick and place tasks can be laborious and repetitive. Industrial robots can easily handle and move workpieces regardless of size or mass. Parts are quickly and safely transferred while workers are freed for more critical and valuable processes.