scholarly journals Exploring the Capabilities of Industrial Collaborative Robot Applications

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Staffan K.L. Andersson ◽  
Anna Granlund ◽  
Mikael Hedelind ◽  
Jessica Bruch
Keyword(s):  
Interview Study ◽  
Integration Process ◽  
Production Lines ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Assembly Operations ◽  
Collaborative Robot ◽  
Collaborative Application

The increase in customization is pushing companies to use more advanced automation technologies in their production lines. Yet, assembly operations are predominantly performed by humans because of their ability to be flexible. The emergence of industrial collaborative robots provides an opportunity to have robots work alongside humans in a flexible and collaborative application. The aim of this study is to explore the industrial collaborative robot capabilities in a collaborative application compared to traditional robot applications. This interview study draws data from four companies with experience in industrial collaborative robot applications. The companies involved in this study experienced that there are several benefits of using an industrial collaborative robot but challenges still exist, in particular related to usability and the robot integration process.

scholarly journals CNN Training Using 3D Virtual Models for Assisted Assembly with Mixed Reality and Collaborative Robots

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 4269
Author(s):  
Kamil Židek ◽  
Ján Piteľ ◽  
Michal Balog ◽  
Alexander Hošovský ◽  
Vratislav Hladký ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Robot Vision ◽  
Processing Unit ◽  
Single Shot ◽  
Vision Systems ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Training Time ◽  
Position And Orientation ◽  
Collaborative Robot

The assisted assembly of customized products supported by collaborative robots combined with mixed reality devices is the current trend in the Industry 4.0 concept. This article introduces an experimental work cell with the implementation of the assisted assembly process for customized cam switches as a case study. The research is aimed to design a methodology for this complex task with full digitalization and transformation data to digital twin models from all vision systems. Recognition of position and orientation of assembled parts during manual assembly are marked and checked by convolutional neural network (CNN) model. Training of CNN was based on a new approach using virtual training samples with single shot detection and instance segmentation. The trained CNN model was transferred to an embedded artificial processing unit with a high-resolution camera sensor. The embedded device redistributes data with parts detected position and orientation into mixed reality devices and collaborative robot. This approach to assisted assembly using mixed reality, collaborative robot, vision systems, and CNN models can significantly decrease assembly and training time in real production.

scholarly journals Behavioural Study of the Force Control Loop Used in a Collaborative Robot for Sanding Materials

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Pérez Ubeda ◽  
Santiago C. Gutiérrez Rubert ◽  
Ranko Zotovic Stanisic ◽  
Ángel Perles Ivars
Keyword(s):  
Force Control ◽  
Feed Rate ◽  
Significant Variation ◽  
Industrial Robots ◽  
Control Loop ◽  
Saturation State ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
Different Characteristics ◽  
Collaborative Robot

The rise of collaborative robots urges the consideration of them for different industrial tasks such as sanding. In this context, the purpose of this article is to demonstrate the feasibility of using collaborative robots in processing operations, such as orbital sanding. For the demonstration, the tools and working conditions have been adjusted to the capacity of the robot. Materials with different characteristics have been selected, such as aluminium, steel, brass, wood, and plastic. An inner/outer control loop strategy has been used, complementing the robot’s motion control with an outer force control loop. After carrying out an explanatory design of experiments, it was observed that it is possible to perform the operation in all materials, without destabilising the control, with a mean force error of 0.32%. Compared with industrial robots, collaborative ones can perform the same sanding task with similar results. An important outcome is that unlike what might be thought, an increase in the applied force does not guarantee a better finish. In fact, an increase in the feed rate does not produce significant variation in the finish—less than 0.02 µm; therefore, the process is in a “saturation state” and it is possible to increase the feed rate to increase productivity.

Europe continues to lead the way in the collaborative robot business

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bogue
Keyword(s):  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Market Development ◽  
Future Market ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Production Methods ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Timely Review ◽  
New Applications ◽  
Collaborative Robot

Purpose – This paper aims to provide a European perspective on the collaborative robot business and to consider the factors governing future market development. Design/methodology/approach – Following an introduction, this first describes the collaborative robots launched recently by European manufacturers and their applications. It then discusses major European research activities and finally considers the factors stimulating the market. Findings – This article shows that collaborative robots are being commercialised by the major European robot manufacturers as well as by several smaller specialists. Although most have low payload capacities they are inexpensive and offer a number of operational benefits, making them well suited to a range of existing and emerging applications. Europe has a strong research base and several EU-funded programmes aim to stimulate collaborative robot development and use. Rapid market development is anticipated, driven in the main by applications in electronic product manufacture and assembly; new applications in the automotive industry; uses by small to medium-sized manufacturers; and companies seeking robots to support agile production methods. Originality/value – This paper provides a timely review of the rapidly developing European collaborative robot industry.

scholarly journals Human-Following Motion Planning and Control Scheme for Collaborative Robots Based on Human Motion Prediction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahad Iqbal Khawaja ◽  
Akira Kanazawa ◽  
Jun Kinugawa ◽  
Kazuhiro Kosuge
Keyword(s):  
Motion Planning ◽  
Human Motion ◽  
Human Robot Interaction ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Sensing System ◽  
Planning And Control ◽  
Control Scheme ◽  
Active Research ◽  
And Control ◽  
Collaborative Robot

Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) for collaborative robots has become an active research topic recently. Collaborative robots assist the human workers in their tasks and improve their efficiency. But the worker should also feel safe and comfortable while interacting with the robot. In this paper, we propose a human-following motion planning and control scheme for a collaborative robot which supplies the necessary parts and tools to a worker in an assembly process in a factory. In our proposed scheme, a 3-D sensing system is employed to measure the skeletal data of the worker. At each sampling time of the sensing system, an optimal delivery position is estimated using the real-time worker data. At the same time, the future positions of the worker are predicted as probabilistic distributions. A Model Predictive Control (MPC) based trajectory planner is used to calculate a robot trajectory that supplies the required parts and tools to the worker and follows the predicted future positions of the worker. We have installed our proposed scheme in a collaborative robot system with a 2-DOF planar manipulator. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme enables the robot to provide anytime assistance to a worker who is moving around in the workspace while ensuring the safety and comfort of the worker.

scholarly journals The future of industry with collaborative robots

2019 ◽  
Vol 299 ◽  
pp. 02008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Matúšová ◽  
Marcela Bučányová ◽  
Erika Hrušková
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Production Process ◽  
Large Range ◽  
Industrial Robot ◽  
Industrial Robots ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
The Future ◽  
Collaborative Robot

Rapidly changing user requirements, improving of quality of life or increased safety at work are allarguments for introducing flexible automation that replaces strenuous or dangerous work. Industrial robots with adaptive directing are now deployed to most industries due to their large range of uses. Theirmain addition for manufacturing is to eliminate downtime of complete operating and manipulating production process, to make easier all particular operation in accordance with ergonomics. The paper describescomparing between conventional industrial robot and collaborative robot.

scholarly journals Vision-Based Intelligent Perceiving and Planning System of a 7-DoF Collaborative Robot

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Linfeng Xu ◽  
Gang Li ◽  
Peiheng Song ◽  
Weixiang Shao
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Vision System ◽  
Planning System ◽  
Hand Tracking ◽  
Robot Hand ◽  
Camera System ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Collaborative Robot

In this paper, an intelligent perceiving and planning system based on deep learning is proposed for a collaborative robot consisting of a 7-DoF (7-degree-of-freedom) manipulator, a three-finger robot hand, and a vision system, known as IPPS (intelligent perceiving and planning system). The lack of intelligence has been limiting the application of collaborative robots for a long time. A system to realize “eye-brain-hand” process is crucial for the true intelligence of robots. In this research, a more stable and accurate perceiving process was proposed. A well-designed camera system as the vision system and a new hand tracking method were proposed for operation perceiving and recording set establishment to improve the applicability. A visual process was designed to improve the accuracy of environment perceiving. Besides, a faster and more precise planning process was proposed. Deep learning based on a new CNN (convolution neural network) was designed to realize intelligent grasping planning for robot hand. A new trajectory planning method of the manipulator was proposed to improve efficiency. The performance of the IPPS was tested with simulations and experiments in a real environment. The results show that IPPS could effectively realize intelligent perceiving and planning for the robot, which could realize higher intelligence and great applicability for collaborative robots.

scholarly journals Force Control Improvement in Collaborative Robots through Theory Analysis and Experimental Endorsement

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Pérez-Ubeda ◽  
Ranko Zotovic-Stanisic ◽  
Santiago C. Gutiérrez
Keyword(s):  
Force Control ◽  
Industrial Robot ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Theory Analysis ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Loop Control ◽  
Robot Controller ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Collaborative Robot ◽  
Jacobian Inverse

Due to the elasticity of their joints, collaborative robots are seldom used in applications with force control. Besides, the industrial robot controllers are closed and do not allow the user to access the motor torques and other parameters, hindering the possibility of carrying out a customized control. A good alternative to achieve a custom force control is sending the output of the force regulator to the robot controller through motion commands (inner/outer loop control). There are different types of motion commands (e.g., position or velocity). They may be implemented in different ways (Jacobian inverse vs. Jacobian transpose), but this information is usually not available for the user. This article is dedicated to the analysis of the effect of different inner loops and their combination with several external controllers. Two of the most determinant factors found are the type of the inner loop and the stiffness matrix. The theoretical deductions have been experimentally verified on a collaborative robot UR3, allowing us to choose the best behaviour in a polishing operation according to pre-established criteria.

scholarly journals Digital Manufacturing Tools in the Simulation of Collaborative Robots: Towards Industry 4.0

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fábio Lima ◽  
Caroline Nogueira De Carvalho ◽  
Mayara B. S. Acardi ◽  
Eldiane Gomes Dos Santos ◽  
Gabriel Bastos De Miranda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production Line ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Digital Manufacturing ◽  
Automotive Sector ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Collaborative Robot

Goal: The main objective of this study is to analyze the impact of inserting a collaborative robot in a production line of a factory of the automotive sector. Design / Methodology / Approach: Two simulation environments were developed. The first one models the original operation without the collaborative robot. The second one evaluates the impact of inserting the robot. This work is quantitative. Results: The paper presents the use of digital manufacturing tools in a simulation of a collaborative operation between a human and a collaborative robot. The simulations with and without the collaborative robot were performed, and they make it possible to emphasize the benefits of the collaborative operation in a real production line. Limitations of the investigation: The first simulation scenario was validated from the real data provided by the factory. However, the second scenario is a suggestion, emphasizing the benefits of collaborative operation. Implementation of the second scenario was not conducted. Practical implications: Since its completion depended on support from the automotive sector, this work is noticeably practical. The real data used in the first scenario as well as the assumptions made in the second scenario allow one to conclude that it is possible to implement the propositions with the collaborative robot in the chosen line. Originality / Value: The use of the collaborative robot in Brazil was forbidden by regulation until recently. Even in other countries decision makers still find have difficulty deciding for this new technology. For this reason, the benefits of using collaborative robots, mainly in Brazilian companies, is still not clear. This work contributes to the collaborative robot discussion and consequently to Industry 4.0 implementation by creating a digital twin of an existing process and inserting a collaborative robot in it. The results should be used by decision makers to decide for inserting this technology in their factories. 

THE RESEARCH ON THE POSSIBILITY OF INCREASING ASSEMBLY OPERATIONS PRODUCTIVITY USING COLLABORATIVE ROBOTS

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ya. A. Shchenikov ◽  
◽  
O. S. Gromova ◽  
E. A. Smeschuk ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Instrument Making ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Assembly Work ◽  
Assembly Operations

The article investigates the possibility of increasing the productivity of assembly operations in instrument making with collaborative robots. One of the reasons for the loss of time during assembly work is the performance by a human worker of actions that are not useful. The implementation of the «man-cobot» interface using inexpensive sensors: a gyroscope and an accelerometer, mounted on the wrists of a human worker described.

Design of a Heuristic for Balancing a Multi-Stage Production Flow Line

2015 ◽  
Vol 1115 ◽  
pp. 610-615
Author(s):  
H.M.E. Kays ◽  
A.N. Mustafizul Karim ◽  
M.N.B. Tajudin ◽  
M. Abdesselam
Keyword(s):  
Flow Line ◽  
Line Balancing ◽  
Sheet Metals ◽  
Production Flow ◽  
Production Lines ◽  
Processing Times ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Assembly Operations ◽  
Positional Weight

A production flow line balancing problem for automotive industry has been studied. A batch of an end item is produced by transforming sheet metals into parts at different manufacturing stages followed by assembly operations. The forming operations of the sheet metals into various parts and their assembly works are illustrated through 22 different tasks. Some of the tasks have the processing times greater than the takt time and are categorized as extra-long tasks. Attempts were made to solve this intricate line balancing problem by adopting the Ranked Positional Weight (RPW) method. But the solution given by the RPW model loses its exactitude due to the presence of the extra-long tasks. In this research a heuristic approach based on RPW is developed through which the problem has been resolved in an efficient and effective manner and hence the proposed heuristic is deemed to be capable of balancing production lines having such extra-long tasks.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document