The programmability of industrial robots primarily enabled them to perform a variety of tasks without truly imparting them with intelligence. These robots excelled at executing repetitive and hazardous tasks, valued for their precision and consistency. Consequently, the automotive industry has been the predominant user of industrial robots since 2010, as reported by the International Federation of Robotics.
Since their introduction, industrial robots have significantly transformed workplaces across various industries. The growth of the industrial robot market is remarkable, with projections estimating its value to exceed $66 billion by 2027, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.1% during the forecast period.
Traditional industrial robots are specifically designed to perform the following tasks:
10 Historically Common Industrial Robot Applications
1. Arc Welding
Arc welding, commonly known as robot welding, became widespread in the 1980s. A major motivation for adopting robot welding was to enhance worker safety by reducing exposure to arc burns and hazardous fumes.
2. Spot Welding
Spot welding involves joining two metal surfaces by applying a large current through a small area, which melts the metal and forms a weld in a very short time (approximately ten milliseconds).
3. Materials Handling
Material handling robots are used to move, pack, and select products. They can also automate tasks such as transferring parts between different pieces of equipment. This reduces direct labor costs and eliminates many tedious and hazardous activities traditionally performed by humans.
4. Machine Tending
Machine tending involves using robots to load and unload raw materials into machinery for processing and to monitor the machines during operation.
5. Painting
Robotic painting is widely used in automotive production and various other industries, enhancing product quality and consistency. It also offers cost savings by reducing the need for rework.
6. Picking, Packing, and Palletizing
Products often undergo multiple handling stages before final shipping. Robotic picking, packing, and palletizing improve speed and accuracy while reducing production costs.
7. Assembly
Robots are commonly employed to assemble products, taking over tedious and repetitive tasks. This automation increases output and lowers operational costs.
8. Mechanical Cutting, Grinding, Deburring, and Polishing
Enhancing robots with dexterity enables them to automate tasks that are typically difficult to mechanize. For instance, in the production of orthopedic implants like knee and hip joints, manual buffing and polishing can take 45-90 minutes, whereas a robot can complete the same task in just a few minutes.
9. Gluing, Adhesive Sealing, and Spraying Materials
Sealer robots are designed with various arm configurations, allowing them to apply adhesives to a wide range of products. This application primarily improves the quality, speed, and consistency of the final product.
10. Other Processes
Additional processes performed by robots include inspection, waterjet cutting, and soldering.
Five Main Types of Industrial Robots
There are more than five types of industrial robots, but the most common ones are typically classified by their mechanical structure, according to the International Federation of Robotics.
Cartesian Robots
These work on three linear axes using the Cartesian Coordinate system (X, Y and Z), meaning they use three sliding joints to move up and down, in and out and side to side. The cartesian robot is the most commonly used industrial robot, typically for CNC machines or 3D printing.
SCARA Robots
Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm (SCARA) robots feature two parallel rotary joints that provide compliance in a plane. SCARA robots are commonly used for assembly applications and excel in lateral movements.
Articulated Robots
Articulated robots have anywhere from two to ten (or more) joints and are connected to the base with a twisting joint, resembling a human arm. They are commonly employed in packaging, painting, metal casting, and various other industrial applications.
Delta Robots
Delta robots, known for their spider-like appearance, are heavily used in the food, pharmaceutical, and electronic industries. Connected to a common base, these robots are typically used for fast pick-and-place applications due to their high-speed precision.
Cylindrical Robots
Ideal for tight spaces, cylindrical robots have at least one rotary joint for rotational movement and a prismatic joint for linear motion. Common applications include simple assembly, die-casting, and machine loading and unloading.
