Today we share with you the electronic controller modules used in industrial robots. Modern industrial robots have been widely used in various industries. Although we do not necessarily develop robots, but as engineers, there are still great opportunities to use robots to facilitate our work and life. Industrial robots, which have now gradually begun to enter factories and homes, have greatly improved the productivity of products through the collaborative work of robots and people. In some special occasions, robots can also replace us to carry out dangerous work.
Robots use a large number of modern electronic information and control technology, such as the robot control system, the rotation of the motor drive technology, acquisition and positioning using sensing and vision detection and computer analysis and computation technology, the actuator is also used in the precise control technology.
Unlike the humanoid robots in the movies, many industrial robots are not humanoid, or even detached, but are composed of a series of oddly shaped mechanisms, such as robotic arms, displays and control boxes. This does not detract from their efficiency and reliability. Currently, many high-end equipment such as shipbuilding and automotive processing, are making extensive use of industrial robots, and the use of such robots has led to a significant increase in the precision of products in mass production. In the international standards organization, has defined the robot related terms, here we briefly introduce the various components.
CONTROLLER SYSTEM: "A set of logic control and power functions that monitors and controls the robot's mechanical structure and communicates with the environment [equipment and users]." It is the brain of the robot and can include motion controllers, internal and external communication systems, and any potential power stages. Electronic modules such as power conversion controllers, motor drive controllers, data acquisition and computation controllers are used here.
Manipulator: "A machine whose mechanism typically consists of a series of interconnected or sliding segments designed to grip and/or move objects (parts or tools) usually in several degrees of freedom or axes. A manipulator does not include an end-effector." A manipulator is often referred to as a robotic arm. It is the part of the robot that defines the number of axes with which the robot is equipped in order to realize the movements that need to be made to perform a certain task. Here precise motor control technology is used, so highly flexible, precise and factored controllers are essential.
Teachers: Multi-functional portable devices used to program and teach industrial robots. A teach pendant typically consists of an LCD touch panel, an enable button and an emergency stop button. The teach pendant is connected to the robot controller system. This is where an LCD monitor is used, enabling data acquisition, display and transmission.
Robot End-of-Actuator: A device attached to the robot's "wrist" or end-of-arm tool (EOAT). The system controller controls the EOAT by using discrete inputs/outputs (I/O) for simple tools or industrial communication protocols for more advanced tools. Many electronic controllers are used here, such as indicator controls, relay controls, MOS controls, motor controls, and other controllers.
Vision and sensors: these devices of the robot are capable of scanning the surroundings and stopping (for industrial robots) or slowing down (for collaborative robots) the robot when a human approaches. Vision/sensing is accomplished through laser radar (LIDAR), radar-based safe area scanners, or 3D cameras. In addition to safe area scanners, collaborative robots sometimes wear sensor-based "safety skins" that stop the arm when someone touches or approaches it. This involves camera acquisition, video acquisition controllers, radar controllers, etc., through the interaction of sensors to enrich the ability of industrial robots to perceive the external environment, but also a large number of sensory data can be transmitted to the system, or remote monitoring, which will use the Internet of Things technology.
The construction of the robot system requires the integration of multiple technologies such as mechanical and electrical structures, electronic information technology, control systems, robot functions and safety matters.