1. FROM VISION TO REALITY

The first glimpses of automata and automated machines date back to antiquity. However, it was in the 18th century that the first concrete representations began to emerge. Jacques de Vaucanson, built an automaton capable of performing complex movements. This was one of the first practical examples of automation.

The 20th century marked the beginning of the technological development that would shape modern industrial robotics. One of the milestones was the”Unimate”, created by George Devol and Joseph Engelberger in the 1950s. This was the first Robot truly programmable industrial and was used by General Motors in production processes.

Since then, industrial robotics has continued to advance. Os Robots have evolved from simple manipulators to highly sophisticated systems capable of a variety of tasks, from assembling products to performing complex operations in hazardous environments.

Companies began to adopt them on a large scale, especially in the automotive industry. The use of these advanced systems allowed for faster, more accurate, and efficient production, resulting in significant gains in the economy and industrial productivity. They were integrated into various sectors, such as electronics, food, medicine, and others. Their versatility and adaptability have made them essential in complex and specific manufacturing processes.

With the evolution of artificial intelligence, Robots industrial machines have become more than programmable machines. They are able to learn, adapt to new situations, and collaborate more closely with humans. Recent advances are focused on Robots more intelligent, flexible and autonomous. Integration with technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and data analysis promises to further revolutionize manufacturing processes.

2. PHYSICAL PRINCIPLES AND STRUCTURE

An industrial manipulator is a mechanical device, often automated, designed to perform specific tasks, such as picking up, moving, positioning, and manipulating objects on production lines. Its basic structure consists of several essential parts:

Base

Manipulator pillar and thus provides structural stability.

It can be fixed, allowing movement only in the surrounding space, or articulated, allowing rotation.

Braço

Composed of a series of links connected by joints. These are responsible for providing mobility to the manipulator, allowing it to reach different positions and orientations.

Juntas

They are the pivot points that join the arm's links. There are several types, such as rotating, prismatic, and cylindrical joints, each offering different degrees of freedom of movement.

Tool

The end of the handler, known as the EoF or Tool, is where the interaction with the objects occurs. It can be equipped with claws, suction cups, tweezers or other devices specific to the task that will be performed. They operate based on several physical principles, the main of which are:

Kinematics

A branch of physics that studies motion without considering its causes. In manipulators, kinematics is applied to determine the trajectory and speed of links and joints during the execution of a task.

Dynamics

It is related to the forces and moments applied to the manipulator. Understanding the dynamics is crucial to ensure stability and safety during operations, avoiding unwanted overloads and oscillations.

Control

Essential to ensure that the handler performs the tasks accurately and efficiently. Control systems, often based on sensors and algorithms, continuously monitor and adjust actions.

There are different types of industrial manipulators, adapted for various applications:

Cartesians

They move along three linear axes, providing straight movements in orthogonal directions.

Cylindric

They have an articulated arm and rotating joints, allowing circular and linear movements.

Spherical or polar

They are characterized by a fixed base and a spherical arm that moves around a base with rotating joints.

Articulated

Composed of a series of rotating joints, they offer high flexibility and adaptability to different tasks.

3. APPLICATIONS

It has played a fundamental role in revolutionizing the industry, offering a variety of applications that drive the efficiency, precision, and automation of production processes. From material handling to component assembly, these devices have a wide range of uses.

montage

One of the most common uses is when assembling components.

They are used to position, join, and secure parts on assembly lines, ensuring precision and consistency in the production of complex products.

Handling

They are used to load, unload, stack and position various materials, from boxes in a warehouse to raw materials on a production line. The ability to move heavy loads efficiently and safely makes them essential in industries such as logistics and manufacturing.

Soldering

Equipped with welding or cutting tools, they are widely used in the metallurgical industry. They perform automated welding operations, ensuring accuracy and repeatability, in addition to increasing safety by reducing operators' exposure to hazardous environments.

Packaging and palletizing

In the packaging industry, they are used to position and package products in boxes, palletize loads, and perform tasks related to storage and transportation logistics. They increase packaging efficiency and reduce errors during the process.

Painting and finishing

Used in painting and finishing processes, applying paints, coatings, and other materials to products, in a uniform and precise manner. They ensure consistent coverage, minimizing material waste.

Chemical and hazardous products

In industries that deal with hazardous substances or chemicals, they are used for the safe handling of these materials. They reduce the risk of human exposure to hazardous environments and contribute to safer work.

Food and pharmaceuticals

In the food and pharmaceutical industries, they are used for the delicate handling of sensitive products, such as food packaging, drug assembly, filling bottles, and working products in sterile environments.

Specific applications

In addition to those mentioned above, it also has a wide field of activity in several other industries, such as aerospace (aircraft assembly), electronics (placement of electronic components), textile (fabric manipulation) and much more.

4. PRESENT AND FUTURE

We witnessed a panorama of continuous technological advances.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), vision, Machine learning and advanced sensors that enable development of more adaptable and autonomous manipulators. Thanks to Advances in programming and in design, the systems are capable to perform varied tasks in dynamic environments, quickly adjusting to changes in production processes.

The automation provided by industrial manipulators boosts efficiency and productivity. They reduce production time, minimize errors, improve quality and increase production capacity, contributing to the competitiveness of companies.

The future of industrial robotics promises Robots more intelligent, autonomous and capable of making complex decisions in real time, adapting to constantly changing environments.

IoT integration will be an increasingly present reality, which will allow communication and collaboration between machines, optimizing processes, collecting data and facilitating predictive maintenance.

The evolution of robotics raises questions about the future of the labor market. While it may eliminate some repetitive jobs, it also creates new opportunities in areas such as maintaining, programming, and supervising automated systems.

Despite concerns about the impact on jobs, automation holds promise to increase quality of life, allowing workers to focus on more creative and intellectually challenging tasks.

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