The definition of a collaborative robot is a robot designed to directly interact with humans in a collaborative area, where robots and humans can work simultaneously. There are two main differences between collaborative robots and traditional industrial robots: First, the target markets of the two types of robots are different. In the early days, collaborative robots were developed to improve the labor force level of small and medium - sized enterprises, reduce costs, and enhance competitiveness, which could avoid labor outsourcing (keeping job opportunities at home). Therefore, the early market for collaborative robots was small and medium - sized enterprises, and the development of collaborative robots is also inseparable from them.
Secondly, the objects they replace are different. Traditional robots replace machines on the production line, and the robot is part of the entire production line. If a robot in a certain link malfunctions, the entire production line may shut down without a backup design. In contrast, collaborative robots are flexible and can replace humans. They are interchangeable, and the entire production process is flexible.
The advantages of collaborative robots stem from their four attributes:
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Safety - level monitoring station. In this case, the robot system needs to monitor the working area and stop all operations when someone enters the collaborative working area. This monitoring may involve using lasers to detect whether someone has crossed the edge of the working area, or switching to monitor whether the door of an enclosed space has been opened.
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Manual teaching. This type of robot has no autonomous functions and requires workers to control every movement of the robot. The moving speed is also monitored and maintained within the safe range of the robot's internal system.
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Speed and separation monitoring. In this way, the robot monitors and limits its moving speed, and monitors the distance between various components and workers in the collaborative working area. The robot's movement must be kept outside a minimum distance from the workers. Otherwise, the robot will stop when the workers are too close.
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Power and force limitation. Built - in sensors can detect when the robot comes into contact with an agent or other objects at the designed speed and power limits. When a similar contact occurs, the speed and power limitations will ensure that the energy impact is not severe enough to cause damage.
The reason why collaborative robots have become popular in recent years is the change in market demand. In terms of price, the price of traditional industrial robots is not high. However, to ensure repeatability, in addition to the design requirements for the robot itself, specific configuration and programming of the robot are also required, which is difficult for most users to achieve. Therefore, robot - automated production lines often require system integrators to provide solutions according to the actual situation of the user's site, which greatly increases the cost of such robot - automated production lines. In addition, once a robot malfunctions, it will affect the working conditions of the entire production line, resulting in more costs.
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