The principle of a robotic arm

Keywords: linear module, long stroke linear module, robotic arm


Industrial robotic arm is an inevitable product of industrial production. It is an automated technology equipment that mimics the partial functions of the human upper limbs, conveying workpieces or holding tools according to predetermined requirements for operation. It plays an important role in achieving industrial production automation and promoting further development of industrial production.


Practice has proven that industrial robots can replace the heavy labor of human hands, significantly reducing the labor intensity of workers, improving labor conditions, and increasing labor productivity and automation level. The use of robotic arms is effective for the handling of bulky workpieces and long-term frequent and monotonous operations that often occur in industrial production. In addition, it can operate under high temperature, low temperature, deep water, cosmic, radioactive, and other toxic and polluting environmental conditions, demonstrating its superiority and having broad development prospects.



1、 Composition and classification of robotic arms



The robotic arm mainly consists of an executing mechanism, a driving system, and a control system.



1. Execution mechanism: includes components such as hands, wrists, arms, and pillars, and some also add walking mechanisms.



① Hand: refers to the component of the robotic arm that comes into contact with the workpiece. Due to the different forms of contact with objects, it can be divided into clamp type and adsorption type hands. Due to the fact that the workpiece in this project is a cylindrical bar material, a clamping type is used. Consisting of fingers and a force transmission mechanism, the fingers come into contact with the workpiece, and the force transmission mechanism completes the task of clamping and placing the workpiece through finger clamping force.



② Wrist: It is a component that connects the hand and arm, playing a role in adjusting or changing the orientation of the workpiece.



③ Arm: A component that supports the wrist and hands to change the spatial position of the workpiece.



④ Column: It is a component that supports the arm. The rotation and lifting movements of the arm are closely related to the column. The pillar of a robotic arm is usually fixed and immovable.



⑤ Machine base: It is the basic part of the robotic arm. The various components and driving systems of the robotic arm actuator are installed on the base, thus playing a supporting and connecting role.



2. Drive system: The drive system of a robotic arm is a transmission device that drives and executes motion. There are four commonly used forms: hydraulic transmission, pneumatic transmission, electric transmission, and mechanical transmission.



3. Control system: The control system is the command system of a robotic arm, which controls the driving system, enables the executing mechanism to work according to specified requirements, and detects its correctness. The common ones are electrical and electronic circuit control, and computer control systems are also constantly increasing.



The classification of industrial robots can be based on the characteristics, functions, driving methods, and control methods of the tasks they undertake.



1. According to the characteristics of the tasks undertaken, industrial robots can be divided into the following three categories:



① Mechanical arm responsible for handling work: This type of mechanical arm is used to complete auxiliary tasks such as loading and unloading blanks, workpieces, and fixtures during the operation of main process equipment.



② Industrial production robots: can be used to complete the main tasks in the process, such as assembly, welding, painting, bending, cutting, etc.



③ Universal industrial manipulator: It has a wide range of applications and can complete various process operations.