Selection of Industrial Robots Using a Computer Database and Graphics Simulation

Summary

Industrial robots have begun to revolutionize industry. They can perform a wide variety of industrial tasks, such as welding, spray painting, material handling, inspection and assembly. Current research efforts focus on developing an “intelligent” robot that can “see”, “hear”, “touch”, and “make decisions”. In the factory of the future, every operation, from product design to manufacturing, assembly, and inspection, would be monitored and controlled by computers and performed by industrial robots. Robots have become the vital components of modern manufacturing systems.

There is abundant evidence that in the right circumstances industrial robots are highly cost-effective. But the process of choosing a suitable robot for an application is time consuming and difficult. If a wrong robot is chosen it can be an expensive mistake not only in terms of cost but also in terms of time and effort.

To eliminate the above problems a computer database is established to maintain the specification and characteristics information of the industrial robots available in the market. An interactive computer program is developed to carry out the process of search and elimination to help users to select suitable robots. Incorporated with the selection program, the computer graphics simulation technique is used to simulate the chosen robot to make sure it works in real situations. A Robotpower Centre is therefore established.