About Industrial Robots
Industrial robots are essential for achieving high precision and efficiency in manufacturing environments. These advanced systems are designed to perform a wide range of tasks, from assembly and packaging to material handling and quality control, enhancing the overall productivity and reliability of industrial operations.
At A-Tech Instruments, we offer a comprehensive range of robotics solutions, including SCARA, 6-axis, and Cartesian models. Each type of robot is engineered to meet specific operational requirements, ensuring optimal performance in various industrial applications.
Our SCARA robots are known for their high-speed and precision capabilities, making them ideal for tasks such as pick-and-place operations, assembly, and inspection. They provide an excellent balance between cost and performance, offering reliable automation solutions that enhance production efficiency.
Our 6-axis robots feature advanced articulation, allowing for complex movements and precise handling. These robots are perfect for applications requiring flexibility and accuracy, such as intricate assembly processes, welding, and painting.
Cartesian robots, also known as linear robots, operate on three linear axes (X, Y, Z) and are designed for straightforward tasks requiring linear motion. These robots are highly effective in parts assembly, conveying, and transfer applications, offering robust performance and ease of integration.
At A-Tech Instruments, we provide full support for our robotics solutions, including installation, integration, and ongoing maintenance. Our goal is to ensure that our clients can fully leverage the benefits of advanced automation, enhancing their manufacturing processes with reliable, high-performance robots.
Cartesian Robots: Simplifying Automation
Cartesian robots, also known as linear robots, are designed for high-speed and high-accuracy tasks, operating within the X-Y-Z plane. These robots are highly configurable, with options ranging from single-axis to four-axis capabilities. Unlike other manufacturers, Shibaura Machine ensures that the Z-axis is always the vertical axis in their Cartesian systems. The design emphasizes simplicity, allowing for straightforward integration into existing production lines without the need for extensive programming.
Cartesian Robot Series
BA-III Series The BA-III Series represents the latest advancements in Cartesian robot design. This series is engineered for simplicity and ease of use, requiring little to no programming. The enhanced design allows for longer intervals between routine maintenance and features a compact footprint. These robots come as a complete plug-and-play system, with all cables, connectors, junction boxes, actuators, servo motors, and controllers provided and pre-assembled. This reduces setup complexity and engineering time, as there is no need to calibrate motors to the actuator and controller.
BAC Series The BAC Series is a lightweight Cartesian solution designed to replace pneumatic actuators in integrated machine solutions. Operating on a 24V actuator, this series is ideal for applications requiring precise linear motion in a compact and lightweight form. The BAC Series offers a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional pneumatic systems, providing reliable performance in various industrial settings.
2-Axis Cartesian configurations
3 Axis and 4 Axis Cartesian configurations
These plug-and-play systems come fully assembled with all necessary components, key features are:
- High Configurability: Options for single-axis to four-axis setups to match specific application requirements.
- Ease of Use: Plug-and-play systems with minimal programming needed.
- Compact Footprint: Enhanced designs for space efficiency and reduced maintenance intervals.
- Cost-Effective: Reduction in engineering time and operational costs with pre-assembled systems.
Applications of Cartesian Robots
Cartesian robots are distinguished by their straightforward linear motion, which makes them a robust choice for various industrial applications. Typically employed in parts assembly, these robots excel at quickly positioning components with precision, significantly enhancing productivity by reducing cycle times.
In addition to assembly tasks, these systems are adept at handling conveyance operations where they transfer items along predetermined paths. This capability ensures smooth and consistent movement, which is essential for maintaining workflow efficiency. Cartesian robots also play a crucial role in inspection processes, where their precise movements allow for thorough and reliable checks, and in palletizing, where they ensure orderly stacking and handling.
Moreover, their precise control is advantageous in sealing and cutting applications, where exact movements are critical. The versatility of Cartesian robots extends to loading parts, further showcasing their ability to adapt to diverse tasks within a production environment. Each of these applications demonstrates the robot's ability to streamline complex processes and maintain high accuracy, and speed, making them indispensable in modern manufacturing setups.
Our Cartesian robots are perfect for parts assembly, conveying, and transfer applications, offering a cost-effective solution to boost productivity.
Need assistance selecting the right Cartesian robot? Our team is ready to help you find the perfect solution to enhance your facility’s productivity without breaking the bank
SCARA Robots: Technical Overview
SCARA (Selective Compliant Articulated Robot Arm) robots are designed for tasks that require high speed and precision. These robots operate with four axes of motion, primarily on the X-Y-Z plane, with an additional rotation around the Z-axis. This design makes SCARA robots particularly suitable for compact spaces and diverse industrial applications, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and automotive manufacturing.
Key Features:
- Compact and Flexible: Suitable for tight spaces and varied applications.
- High Efficiency: Ideal for pick and place, assembly, and packaging.
- Affordable Automation: Quick return on investment.
There are three main series of SCARA robots; THL, THE, and TH
- THL Series combines energy-efficient controls with cost savings design features to provide the best price-to-performance ratio SCARA robot on the market.
- THE Series is an enhanced version of the THL series, with higher performance gearboxes and updated design features making the THE series ideal for electronic assembly and quick precise movements.
- TH Series (also referenced as THA or TH “A”) combines heavy-duty gear boxes, high-power motors, and cast body elements to provide the heaviest-duty SCARA robot arms on the market for over a decade.
Our SCARA robots offer the versatility and efficiency needed to stay competitive in Industry 4.0.
Example of applications using SCARA robots
Conveyance and Inspection of battery cells
In this application, a SCARA robot from the THE Series is used to transport battery cells rapidly to inspection equipment. Despite the weight of the battery cells, the robot handles them with ease, ensuring they are delivered quickly and accurately for inspection. This process demonstrates the robot's ability to maintain high speed and precision, essential for industries where efficient handling of components is critical to maintaining productivity and quality control. See the video of this application Here.
Conveyance of cosmetic items with conveyor tracking
Here, a SCARA robot from the THE Series synchronizes with a conveyor system to sort and convey cosmetic products. The robot's ability to track the conveyor enables efficient and accurate sorting, ensuring seamless movement of items through the production line. This application showcases the robot's integration capabilities with other systems, optimizing workflow processes and enhancing overall production efficiency. See the video of this application Here.
6-Axis Robots: Ultimate Flexibility and Strength
6-axis robots are designed to perform complex tasks with high flexibility and reach. Mimicking the movements of a human arm, these robots operate on the X-Y-Z plane and add yaw, pitch, and roll capabilities. In addition to the X-Y-Z coordinates, the robots also use A-B-C coordinates, where A is rotation around the X-Axis (Roll), B is rotation around the Y-Axis (Pitch), and C is rotation around the Z-Axis (Yaw). This six degrees of freedom allows 6-axis robots to execute a wide range of movements and applications.
While 6-axis robots are highly dexterous, they can be slower than SCARA robots. Their multiple joints also mean that their precision can sometimes be less than that offered by SCARA robots. However, their flexibility and ability to handle complex tasks make them invaluable in various industrial settings.
Key Features:
- Six Degrees of Freedom: Independent motion for versatile applications.
- Precision and Control: Ideal for delicate and precise automation tasks.
- Reprogrammable: Easily adaptable for various tasks.
6-Axis Robot Range
- TVM Series The TVM Series features a medium-sized, medium-duty robot designed for enhanced rigidity, particularly on joints J5 and J6. This allows for the use of larger tooling sizes, making the TVM Series ideal for machine tending. Its robust design is well-suited for industries including automotive, plastics, and medical.
- TVL Series The TVL Series is known for its compact, award-winning design. This series is perfectly suited for assembly tasks where space is limited. The TVL Series combines high performance with a space-saving design, making it a versatile choice for various industrial applications.
- TV Series The TV Series offers a clean design with internal wire harnesses and airlines, making it particularly suitable for the medical and pharmaceutical markets. Its streamlined design also makes it ideal for machine tending in tight spaces, combining the efficiency of SCARA robots with the full range of 6-axis movement.
6-axis robots from A-Tech Instruments provide the flexibility and precision required for complex industrial tasks. Their ability to handle material handling, assembly, packaging, and other applications with high agility makes them a valuable addition to any manufacturing environment. Whether you need a compact solution for tight spaces or a robust robot for heavy-duty tasks, our range of 6-axis robots offers the right solution for your needs.
Controller Specifications for Industrial Robotics
Controllers are pivotal components in robotic systems, designed to match the specific requirements of different robot arms across various industries. These devices are crucial for achieving precise control and seamless operation, regardless of the robot manufacturer.
General Controller Characteristics
Controllers typically vary based on the robot type they are designed to support. For applications requiring adherence to regional safety standards, controllers often come in versions that include additional safety features to meet these criteria, denoted by specific model suffixes.
Advanced Robotics Controllers
TS Series Controllers
The TS Series is designed for both SCARA and 6-axis robots, replacing older models with enhanced capabilities. These controllers include safety features for compliance in regulated regions and offer advanced control for precision and efficiency.
CA Series Controllers
For Cartesian robots, the CA Series operates in a MASTER-SLAVE configuration, optimizing control for single and multi-axis systems. This series is known for its precise coordination and ease of integration.
TS5000 Controller
The TS5000 is the latest and most advanced controller, offering superior position control for more precise robotic movements and shorter cycle times. This controller is compatible with leading industrial robot models and is designed to support next-generation automation needs.
Key features of the TS5000 include:
- Enhanced Servo Performance: Improved synchronized control and precise tracking.
- Faster Position Control Cycle: Three times faster than previous models, allowing better synchronization and control.
- IoT Ready: Enhanced communication capabilities and real-time data transmission for integration into smart, connected factories.
- Increased Communication Ports: Dedicated ports for status feedback and control, vision interfacing, and additional non-protocol communication ports.
- Compact Design: Suitable for smaller control panels, optimizing space in modern manufacturing environments.
- Compatibility: Works seamlessly with advanced teach pendants for flexible robot control.
The TS5000 controller is available in three models: TS5000-SS, TS5000-MS, and TS5000-EMS, each designed to cater to different operational requirements. This controller, combined with high-performance robots, provides a robust solution for high-speed, precision automation in various industrial applications.
Robots Selection Guidance
Choosing the right robot for your production line is essential for optimizing efficiency and ensuring safety. Our robots and their controllers are equipped with integrated features designed to enhance the safe operation of robotic systems. Safety is crucial, so we include the ability to program interrupts into robots for improved safety monitoring. Additionally, the controllers provide the capability to manage individual axes and define the robot’s maximum torque. These measures protect both the robot and the operator, ensuring a secure working environment.
When selecting a robot, understanding the specific needs of your operation and any constraints is crucial. This involves considering the tasks the robot will perform, the space available, and the level of precision required. Our aim is to provide the best solution tailored to your production line's unique requirements.
We have a team of experts ready to assist you in setting up your production line for enhanced quality and efficiency. They are equipped to guide you through the robot selection process, ensuring that you choose a system that not only meets your current needs but also offers flexibility for future demands.
Let us help you make an informed decision to boost your production with the optimal robotics solution. Contact Us today.