INTRODUCTION: Sensors are a device used to detect information about an item. For the robotic arm, to be able to accurately and correctly carry out a variety of work, these sensors are indispensable, they can be used to assist the robotic arm to carry out a variety of monotonous and repetitive work, and different sensors for the work of the robotic arm have different roles. In this article, we will take the types of robotic arm sensors to carry out the relevant content of the introduction.
A robotic arm is a device that is programmed to manipulate and move a robotic claw to grasp and release, using multiple joints to move along an axis or rotate in a certain direction. It is used to support the hand and move it through space. A robotic arm is very similar to our arm, having a wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder, and can be extended and retracted, rotated from side to side, and raised and lowered.
Sensors play a very important role in the control of the robotic arm, it is because of the sensors, the robotic arm has the same perception and reaction as a person. The types of sensors commonly used in robotic arms are vision sensors, collision detection sensors, force and torque sensors, safety sensors, etc. The significance of these sensors for robotic arms will be introduced below.
Vision Sensors
The vision sensors used in robotic arms are 2D vision sensors and 3D vision sensors. First, let's talk about 2D vision sensors, which have the ability to capture thousands of pixels of light from an entire image. The clarity and detail of an image is often measured in terms of resolution, which is expressed by the number of pixels, and after capturing an image, the 2D vision sensor compares it to a baseline image stored in its memory in order to analyze it. 2D vision sensors are relatively new and have a single camera that can perform functions such as detecting and localizing object motion. The robot arm can refer to the data information obtained from the camera to adjust its movements.
Three-dimensional vision sensors work in the same way as two-dimensional vision sensors, acquiring real-world image data and comparing it to a baseline image stored in memory to analyze it. However, 3D vision sensors are equipped with two cameras that take pictures at different angles so that a 3D model of the object can be detected and recognized. Compared to 2D vision sensors, 3D vision sensors can help robotic arms visualize objects more intuitively.
Collision Detection Sensors
Often widely used in the automotive industry, collision detection sensors are pedestrian collision detection sensors that can accurately detect collisions between vehicles and pedestrians, making the operation of pop-up hoods more accurate. The main requirement of a robotic arm is safety, and if a safe working environment is to be created, the arm must be able to recognize what is unsafe. When a robotic arm is fitted with a collision detection sensor, it allows the arm to know what it is bumping into and to limit or stop its movements.
Force Torque Sensor
A force torque sensor is an electronic device that is typically used to detect, monitor, record, and regulate rotational and linear forces applied to it. Force Torque Sensors are specifically designed to interact with devices in their environment and can be used in a variety of devices and scenarios. Six-axis sensors are one of the more popular force torque sensors that are widely used in the joints of various robot arms, and these force torque sensors are capable of measuring forces in all directions. When pressure is applied, the resistance in the manometer increases or decreases in proportion to the force applied.
The force-torque sensor on the robot arm is mainly used to guide the robot's movements, so that the robot arm knows the amount of force. By monitoring the force of the robotic arm, the data information is analyzed to guide the robot's next move. When the arm is equipped with a force-torque sensor, the arm knows when to use a small amount of force and when to use a large amount of force. By monitoring the data and setting it manually, the robotic arm is given the ability to sense.
Safety Sensors
A safety sensor is a device that senses or responds to a specified measurement and converts it into a usable signal output according to a certain pattern. Safety sensors are not the same as collision detection sensors. A robotic arm installed with safety sensors is able to sense the presence of objects or people in the surrounding environment, which ensures the safety of the staff around the robotic arm, and prevents the robotic arm from colliding with other objects or people, which can cause safety problems.
What are the types of robotic arm sensors, browse the article above the types of robotic arm sensors are vision sensors, collision detection sensors, force and torque sensors, safety sensors and so on, these sensors can provide detailed and varied information for the robotic arm. Follow Jetz Robotics to learn more about robotic arm sensors.