How to Shop for a Robot

Related: 22 Signs Your Robotic Cell Has Problems

Will I need to interact with the robot? What will I be doing?

● How will I operate the robot? What kind of training do I need?
What to look for

Once you’re ready to shop for the right robot, the eBook suggests focusing on these five different specifications:

● Payload

● Reach

● Repeatability

● Ease of programming

● Safety

There are many other specifications you could consider – like the robot’s weight, speed, acceleration, lifecycle, environmental specs, and support – but these tend to be less important.

Next you’ll be looking at accessories for your robot. First up is the end-effector, which is basically the robot’s “hand.”

It’s important to choose an end-effector that suits your application. They aren’t “one-size-fits-all” (or rather, one-type-does-everything)! In some cases, you might need a specialized one to get the job done properly.

You also need to consider sensors for your robot. These include vision systems, force torque sensors, and others.

Finally, you’ll need to look at robotic cell configurations and options for part picking, processing, and placement. All these topics and more are covered in this excellent eBook.

This article has been republished with permission from Robotiq.