Description
Collaborative robots are a new type of industrial robots that have appeared relatively recently, but they promise to become the main trend in the development of robotics over the next decade. Collaborative robots are sometimes referred to as cobots for short. A collaborative robot is a robotic manipulator that can work alongside a human, performing tasks together with the person. Collaborative robots (cobots) are used when the tasks being performed cannot be fully automated.
Collaborative robots have several differences from traditional industrial robots. Regular industrial robots are designed to work separately from humans; they do not monitor the presence of a person nearby and can potentially cause harm or even fatal injuries. Therefore, they are enclosed and painted in bright colors. Cobots are equipped with sensors that are triggered when the robot collides with a human. To ensure human safety, the movement of collaborative robots is carried out at low speeds. Additionally, the surface of the cobot is covered with a soft material, which also helps to cushion the impact when coming into contact with a person.
There are 4 main types of collaborative robots:
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Cobots with a protective stop mechanism. Such a cobot operates autonomously, but when a person enters its workspace, the sensor is triggered, and the robot shuts down. Once the person leaves the robot’s workspace, the cobot resumes its operation.
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Collaborative robots with manual control. In this type of robot, machine learning occurs by directing its movement with the human hand. When the cobot stops sensing pressure from the human hand, it switches to operate as a regular robotic manipulator.
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Collaborative robots equipped with a computer vision system, which tracks the movement of workers. When they enter the cobot’s working zone, the cobot slows down, and if the person gets even closer, the cobot stops.
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Collaborative robots with force limitation. The collaborative robots offered by San Max Trade fall into this category. Such a robot can detect resistance along its path and stop when it makes contact with a person.
San Max Trade offers 4 models of collaborative robots with a payload capacity ranging from 4 to 35 kg and a reach from 550 to 1813 mm. It is worth noting that the collaborative robot CR-35iA has the world’s highest payload capacity – 35 kg. The cobots we offer are compatible with additional equipment, and depending on their application, they can be equipped with vision sensors or 3D area sensors. This allows the cobots to recognize parts and determine their shape. Collaborative robots can be successfully used in the automotive industry, machine loading/unloading, palletizing, assembly, and moving heavy loads. These cobots provide the same high movement precision as traditional industrial robotic manipulators.
If you want to be at the forefront of robotics development and purchase a collaborative robot, contact us, and we will help you select the perfect cobot to meet your specific needs.