Cobot: collaborative robots<\/h2>\n\n
The Cobot, short for COllaborative and roBOT, is a robot designed for direct interaction with humans<\/strong> within a defined collaborative workspace. For flexibility of use and safe direct interaction with the operator, it opens up revolutionary scenarios for the competitiveness of SME manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n Compared with traditional industrial robots, Cobots are extremely compact and lightweight<\/em><\/strong> but most importantly designed to interact with people<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n This translates to ergonomics<\/strong><\/em> and advanced safety-native<\/em> features<\/strong> for robotic equipment that do not require protective cages: cobots respect safe distances between each other and between operators, even going so far as to slow down as people enter the area of action and stop at the slightest contact. Intervals and stopping trajectories are programmable and customizable<\/strong> thus ensuring operational versatility. Another defining aspect of advanced manufacturing is the high motion and positioning accuracy<\/strong><\/em> achieved by today’s cobots.<\/p>\n\n Typically, a Cobot is successfully employed to help operators with repetitive, monotonous, or hazardous manual tasks, non-skill-based activities that do not require any specific decision-making processes.<\/p>\n\n The suggested tasks for collaborative robotics generally include:<\/p>\n The following is a brief step by step<\/em><\/strong> guide to suggest setting up collaborative equipment in manufacturing environments.<\/p>\n\n Speed of task execution approaches that of the human operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is recommended to implement a collaborative robot if you are looking for increased productivity with multiple shifts or 24h\/24h or if you want to assist the worker in repetitive, sequential, low-value-added tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally, collaboratives are suitable for narrow spaces, with an arm reach of less than 1300 mm, and for handling payloads up to 16 kg (including the weight of the grapple at the end of the arm).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their compact nature allows them to perform tasks in areas with limited space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cobots prefer workpieces with footprints and surfaces with good uniformity. To simplify implementation, orderly and repeatable access to parts is preferred (usually on a table or tray so that the process can be replicated without resorting to sophisticated programming).<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is possible to set up the ordered “matrix” parts (support jigs) by configuring the cobot on the pickup-deposit sequence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though Cobots are designed to work safely alongside workers, they require a pre-implementation study with a focus on specific “collaborative applications”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is because risk analysis is required upstream in the design phase, taking into account that each application is different and stand-alone, with its features that make a generic analysis of all robots in all work contexts ineffective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is good practice to assign repetitive, manual, and potentially life-threatening tasks and sequences to the robot, and to devote tasks to the operator that enhance his or her skills and abilities – such as supervisory tasks -.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Levels of engagement between humans and robots based on sharing time and space<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n It is critically important to consider the type of interaction needed:<\/p>\n\n\n The gripping mechanism mounted on the robotic arm used to interact with parts and machines is a key component.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The range of solutions is from standard robotic gripping solutions to electro-pneumatic devices and grippers made for a variety of handling needs such as certified grippers, long-stroke grippers, custom grippers, and gripper changing systems … which may also require additional overhaul-certification of equipment safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Relative simplicity is achieved with Cobots installed in a dedicated mobile table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Advanced task sequences and logistics can involve collaboratives combined with automated guided systems (AGVs): in which case an autonomous mobile robot, can dynamically navigate using a map, with planned routes within the production layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some applications require cobots with certification suitable for use in cleanrooms and sterile environments. A certification that creates the necessary conditions for the use of this equipment in industrial sectors where aspects of hygiene, ease of cleaning, and extreme reliability are critical, such as in the food and science sector, as well as in the medical and pharmaceutical industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Programming requirements are directly proportional to the degree to which vision systems are used. It is through AI-powered vision systems that Cobots acquire the “see,” “understand,” and “interpret” skills necessary to perform the tasks assigned to them and interact with human operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Applications such as:<\/p>\n\n\n require systems where the crucial factor is the interactions between hardware power (optical detection systems) and information processing capabilities using more or less sophisticated computing, analysis, and matching algorithms.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCobots: what they are and how they work<\/h2>\n\n
What can be automated? Discover it step by step<\/em>!<\/h2>\n\n
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Simple<\/span><\/th> Complex<\/span><\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Low volumes<\/td> Large batches<\/td><\/tr> High mix<\/td> More workers when production increases (higher risk conditions)<\/td><\/tr> If the production speed is similar to that of human workers\t<\/td> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Simple<\/span><\/th> Complex<\/span><\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Payload up to 10 kg<\/td> Payload is between 10 and 35 kg<\/td><\/tr> Arm reach: 500-900 mm<\/td> Arm reach: 1300-1600 mm<\/td><\/tr> <\/td> If multiple Cobots are on a single workstation<\/td><\/tr> <\/td> If the collaborative robot is two-armed<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Simple<\/span><\/th> Complex<\/span><\/th><\/tr><\/thead> If there are sequential operations with a clear separation between cobot and operator operations<\/td> If there are imaging systems or sensors to identify and pick up parts<\/td><\/tr> If there are basic commands such as start-cycle and end-cycle<\/td> If the picking is random from a bin<\/td><\/tr> If there are uniform dimensions and sizing<\/td> <\/td><\/tr> If there is an orderly presentation of parts<\/td> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \n
![\"Human\/Robot\"](\"https:\/\/carretta.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/uomo-robot.png\")
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Simple<\/span><\/th> Complex<\/span><\/th><\/tr><\/thead> If there are simple interaction operations<\/td> If there is cobot-operator interaction<\/td><\/tr> If there are operations with close human-robot interaction<\/td> If there is cobot-operator collaboration<\/td><\/tr> <\/td> If there is cobot-operator synchronization<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Simple<\/span><\/th> Complex<\/span><\/th><\/tr><\/thead> If standard gripping devices and tools are readily available\t<\/td> If they are specific grippers and tools<\/td><\/tr> <\/td> If they are custom gripping solutions for multiple tasks<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Simple<\/span><\/th> Complex<\/span><\/th><\/tr><\/thead> If cobot is anchored to a collaborative table<\/td> If there is a combination of Cobot to self-driving vehicles (AGV)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Simple<\/span><\/th> Complex<\/span><\/th><\/tr><\/thead> If target environments do not require hygienic standards<\/td> If cobots with dust and splash protection are required<\/td><\/tr> If clean room certifications are present<\/td> If intended for compatible cleanroom uses<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \n
Simple<\/span><\/th> Complex<\/span><\/th><\/tr><\/thead> If the interaction is limited to a few devices<\/td> If there are random bin-picking algorithms<\/td><\/tr> If there is limited use of vision systems<\/td> If there are monitoring and control sensors<\/td><\/tr> If the interaction is limited to a few devices<\/td> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>