Industrial robots are multi-jointed manipulators or multi-degree-of-freedom machines designed for industrial applications. They can perform tasks automatically, relying on their own power and control capabilities to achieve various functions. They can be commanded by humans or operate according to pre-programmed procedures. Modern industrial robots can also act according to principles established by artificial intelligence technology.
A 6-axis industrial robot is entirely controlled by a single microcomputer. Another approach is distributed control, where multiple microcomputers share the robot's control responsibilities. For example, when two levels of microcomputers work together to control the robot, the master computer is typically responsible for system management, communication, kinematic and dynamic calculations, and sending instructions to the lower-level microcomputers. Each joint, acting as a slave, corresponds to a CPU, performing interpolation calculations and servo control processing to achieve the given motion and feeding back information to the master computer. Depending on the requirements of the task, robot control methods can be further categorized into point-to-point control, continuous trajectory control, and force control.
The main features of a 6-axis industrial robot are as follows:
1) Programmable: The most significant feature of 6-axis industrial robots is their flexible operation, making them an important component of flexible manufacturing systems. Industrial robots can be reprogrammed to adapt to changes in their working environment and the parts they process, making them suitable for applications in flexible manufacturing production lines that require balanced high efficiency for small-batch, multi-variety production.
2) Anthropomorphism: 6-axis industrial robots combine the characteristics of robots and humans. The structure of a 6-axis industrial robot includes parts similar to human walking, waist rotation, upper arm, forearm, wrist, and gripper, and it is controlled by a computer. Its sensors enhance the industrial robot's adaptability to its surrounding environment.
3) Versatility: Generally, 6-axis industrial robots have good versatility when performing different tasks. Of course, there are also dedicated industrial robots.
4) Mechatronics: 6-axis industrial robots are a combination of mechanics and microelectronics – mechatronics technology. Industrial robots have various sensors to acquire information about the external environment, and also possess artificial intelligence capabilities such as memory, language understanding, image recognition, and reasoning. These are all closely related to the application of microelectronics technology, especially computer technology.
The research, design, and manufacturing of six-axis articulated industrial robots have a history of several decades. The entire industrial robot research and manufacturing system is relatively complete, and various manufacturers can imitate, improve, and continuously innovate in the process of competition.
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