Industrial robots are increasingly being used in industry, replacing repetitive manual labor. In reality, many factories use imported industrial robots. So, what are the differences between domestically produced industrial robots and their imported counterparts? Furthermore, what are the current applications of industrial robots? This article will reveal the answers to these questions. If you are interested in this article, please continue reading.
one, Analysis of the Gap Between Domestic and Foreign Industrial Robots
The demand for industrial robots in China has been continuously growing, but the market has always been monopolized by foreign brands. Initially, the Chinese industrial robot market was dominated by the "Big Four" ( ABB , FANUC, KUKA , and Yaskawa), mainly due to two key factors: control systems and core components. For example, harmonic reducers have long been dominated by Japanese brands, whose prices to domestic manufacturers were once several times higher than those of the "Big Four."
Based on the development over the past few years, robotics and automation have risen to the level of a national strategy. Strong domestic policy support has provided excellent development opportunities for domestic industrial robot companies. my country's industrial robots have gained extensive practical and exploratory opportunities in areas ranging from core technology and key component R&D to complete machine manufacturing. The core hardware technology of industrial robots includes core components such as reducers and motors. With the increasing market share and quality demands of domestically produced robots, the technology of these core components is constantly iterating. The technological maturity of industrial robots will also increase, and prices will become more transparent, providing numerous opportunities for the development of domestic robots. Even more important are the controllers and software algorithms—the control systems of industrial robots. The key here is the software algorithm, and currently, a few domestic robot manufacturers have achieved independent R&D of high-performance control systems.
China boasts a vast industrial cluster, with each industry employing unique production processes, resulting in varying requirements for robots from different companies. In some emerging fields, domestically produced and imported robots are on a level playing field. The choice of industrial robot depends on its application and whether it meets expected returns on investment. Regardless of whether it's an imported or domestic brand, it's crucial to consider whether it can provide efficient solutions tailored to the specific industry's production needs.
II. Industrial Robot Applications
(a) Welding applications
1. Welding components of a welding robot
It mainly consists of two parts: robots and welding equipment. The robot comprises the robot body and a control cabinet (hardware and software). The welding equipment, such as arc welding and spot welding equipment, consists of a welding power source (including its control system), a wire feeder (for arc welding), and a welding torch (clamp). For intelligent robots, there should also be a sensing system, such as laser or camera sensors and their control equipment.
2. Characteristics and Applications of Welding Robots
Welding robots offer stable welding quality, improved working conditions for workers, and increased labor productivity. They are widely used in the automotive, construction machinery, general machinery, metal structures, and weapons industries. According to incomplete statistics, approximately half of all industrial robots serving the world are used for various forms of welding processes.
(II) Waterjet Cutting Applications
1. Industries applicable to waterjet cutting
High-pressure water jet cutting is suitable for various materials, such as glass, marble, leather, plastic, steel plates, automotive interior parts, etc. It can precisely cut complex workpieces with free-form surfaces. It is used in automotive interior and exterior parts, aircraft manufacturing, building materials, and the clothing industry.
2. Advantages of waterjet cutting
It can significantly improve the cutting quality and production efficiency of workpieces, and is suitable for processing various products. Compared with impact forming, it can greatly save on mold development costs. It can also reduce labor intensity, freeing workers from heavy labor.
(III) Grinding Applications
Many castings require manual deburring. This is time-consuming, produces poor polishing results, is inefficient, and often injures the operator's hands. Air pollution and noise at the deburring site can also harm the operator's physical and mental health.
Applications: Polishing of cast steel parts of various sizes and complex shapes. It can also be used to polish aircraft glass, large irregularly shaped parts, various metal household items (silver and gold utensils, cookware, lamps, handicrafts), and aircraft, motorcycle, and automobile parts.
