More axes are generally better for an industrial robot, but how can you go beyond the conventional six-axes and even 7-axis robots? In the tooling, of course.
“An articulated robot can go beyond six-axes with additions in the gun and positioner for a total of eight axes of coordinated motion in a spot welding application, for example,” said Jason Jenson, general manager at Yaskawa Canada.
Adapting algorithms in the robot’s controller can allow a manufacturer to adapt different tools for different applications.
“What this can allow us to do is focus above and beyond automotive, into general industries as well, where you’ve got even thicker gauge material if needed,” Jenson continued. “We have some of these robots out there, where instead of a positioning device, you’ve got robots holding a part.”
Historically, big technology like this has been associated with big capital expenditure (capex) and big corporations. However, Jenson advocates that this kind of technology is becoming more and more accessible for small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
“SMEs are a big focus for Yaskawa, and that’s really allowed for a lot of our growth as a Tier One and Two supplier, whether it be in automotive or any other vertical.”
For more information about advanced automation from Yaskawa, visit their website here.