Existe um robô para isso!

Quando você pensa em robôs industriais, a primeira coisa que provavelmente vem à sua mente é um robô de soldagem em uma linha de montagem de automóveis, mas os robôs industriais de alto desempenho são projetados exclusivamente para muito mais. Da indústria aeroespacial ao laboratório clínico e tudo mais, a automação robótica pode levar os processos de produção de fábrica, a automação direcionada a tarefas e outras aplicações para o próximo nível. Aqui estão apenas alguns usos interessantes e impressionantes que podem inspirá-lo a implementar a automação robótica em um futuro próximo.

Ablação a laser

Aplicativo/Indústria
Automotivo, Aeroespacial

Modelo de Robô
Normalmente, um robô de braço longo com uma carga útil menor (ou seja, Yaskawa AR3120). Podem ser utilizados um ou mais robôs, dependendo do tamanho da peça e do tempo de ciclo desejado.

Descrição
Em aplicações onde uma superfície tem um revestimento (como tinta, graxa, esmalte, etc.) que precisa ser removido, normalmente são usados ​​produtos químicos. Infelizmente, isso gera muitos resíduos, que geralmente são considerados materiais perigosos. O impacto ambiental subsequente e, portanto, a regulamentação, dificulta o uso de solventes químicos para esse processo. Além disso, o número de horas de trabalho manual necessárias para limpar ou raspar o revestimento para deixar um substrato limpo é demorado.

Entre em ablação a laser, que queima essa camada de revestimento para deixar um substrato limpo e puro. Um filtro ou outro dispositivo de contenção coleta facilmente o revestimento carbonizado. Como os processos a laser térmico requerem uma célula de trabalho à prova de luz, um robô é necessário para a segurança adequada. O robô também pode ser programado para seguir a complicada curvatura da superfície, em vez do uso de outra automação rígida.

Impressão a jato de tinta de superfície complexa

Aplicativo/Indústria
Aeroespacial, potencial para outros

Modelo de Robô
Braço longo para aeroespacial, menor dependendo da escala.

Descrição
No passado, ao aplicar gráficos a uma aeronave ou outra superfície grande, era difícil criar detalhes com precisão ao trabalhar com superfícies curvas e complexas. No entanto, um projeto de 2017 do Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) tornou essa tarefa complicada uma realidade, utilizando uma cabeça de impressão a jato de tinta especial conectada ao braço de um robô. Este intrincado processo usa impressão digital para um desempenho superior e substitui a tradicional tarefa de trabalho intensivo de pintar gráficos ou aplicar decalques em orientações variadas em grandes áreas. Assim como a ablação a laser, o robô é projetado para manobrar facilmente, acomodando habilmente as mudanças nos ângulos da superfície e mantendo uma repetibilidade e qualidade de impressão consistentes.

Desde o início dessa tecnologia, empresas como a fabricante holandesa de robôs XYREC, em cooperação com SwRI, Airbus e Marabu, demonstraram com sucesso esta aplicação revolucionária em aeronaves, alegando reduzir o tempo na oficina de pintura de 16 para 5 dias. Potentially compatible with any surface substrate, this technology could also be used to apply one-off or custom graphics to smaller surfaces, like textiles and billboards, or even complex graphics to wider surface areas.

Additive Manufacturing

Application/Industry
Prototyping, Custom Parts

Robot Model
Varies – usually a highly repeatable, 6-axis robot with six degrees of freedom (i.e., Yaskawa AR1440).

Description
Thanks to the adoption of motion control technology, robotics and power conversion, 3D printing has reached a level of finesse and precision in recent years that is good enough to create usable parts without any (or much) finishing. Ideal for attaching unique tooling that enables a wide area 3D printer, the use of industrial robots in additive manufacturing is helping to create a diverse mix of products, including machine tooling fixtures.

Once limited to plastics, today’s technology can accommodate substances such as ceramics, composites, metals, hybrid materials and more. Most recently, advancements in slicer software within offline robot programming software has made it possible to print metal pieces using filler metal techniques such as MIG, TIG, or laser welding. These parts can then be used directly or machined as needed, saving a great deal of waste from other milling or machine techniques on a block of metal.

High-Precision Milling

Application/Industry
Machining, Custom Components

Robot Model
Versatile and powerful handling robot with a mid-range payload. (i.e., Yaskawa GP-series robots).

Description
Traditionally an arduous manual task, milling is the process of grinding or cutting superfluous material away from a mold to form a specific structure. In an effort to increase worker safety, accelerate production rates, enhance product quality and better adhere to industry standards, companies in diverse industries are implementing the use of automated milling systems, with easy-to-program robots equipped with flexible tooling. This is often used in conjunction with 3D printing for part finishing.

Pallet Assembly

Application/Industry
Pallet Production

Robot Model
6-axis palletizing robot, ranging in payload from 50 kg to 800 kg.

Description
Difficult and dangerous, the task of manually building pallets is hard work. This, combined with the growing trend for stronger custom-designed pallets, has prompted competitive-minded manufacturers to implement robotic pallet assembly systems that provide the flexibility and consistency needed to build custom, stringer and block pallets from the same system. Likewise, freeing workers from the dull, dirty and dangerous work of pallet production allows decision makers to redeploy skilled workers to higher-value jobs within the company, maximizing return on investment.

Meat Processing

Application/Industry
Meat Packing, Poultry Production, etc.

Robot Model
Fast and powerful handling robot with a medium range payload.

Description
While safer and more sanitary than in the past, meat packing and poultry production plants still present distinct hazards that can impact the physical health of manual workers. To reduce human error and protect employees, meat and poultry processing companies are seeking out robotic technology to drive safety, optimizing efficiency in the process. Furthermore, improvements in vision technology and end-of-arm tooling over the last decade have enabled robots to easily facilitate a variety meat processing tasks, optimizing production.

Speciman Processing

Application/Industry
Clinical Laboratory

Robot Model
Varies on application (i.e, Yaskawa MotoMini for bulk oader, or a high-performance 6-axis robot with a lower payload for centrifuge).

Description
From skilled technician shortages to rigorous accreditation requirements – along with rising specimen volumes combined with inefficient workflows – clinical laboratories are facing many challenges today. Chief among these is the pressure to expand services in creative ways, providing a more value-based care approach while yielding cost savings. In an effort to move forward into the future of Clinical Laboratory 2.0, high throughput clinical diagnostic labs are turning to robotic automation solutions to complete pre- and post-analytic specimen sorting and processing tasks.

Ribbon Tying

Application/Industry
Food and Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Products, Tacking and Logistics, Industrial Packaging

Robot Model
Compact and agile material handling robot with a lower payload.

Description
Manual bow tying can be a tedious task, potentially causing physical harm to workers. Due to increased demand for customized packaging, ribbon tying is growing in popularity. First used in 2014 for Esther Price Fine Chocolates Candy Co., this difficult to automate application required the combined use of 3D simulation software for precise programming and a high-performance robot for greater maneuverability and consistency. Likewise, having the proper end-of-arm tooling and a controlled environment for this application was critical to achieving optimal choreographed repetition.

Entertaining / Food Assembling

Application/Industry
Entertainment, Casual Dining, Theme Park, etc.

Robot Model
Varies on application.

Description
Not only do industrial robots help provide consistency for certain tasks in day-to-day operations, but also, they allow restaurant and other business owners to provide a unique experience to patrons. From being used for carnival rides to making egg sandwiches and dispensing ice cream, industrial robots are growing in use throughout the entertainment world. When outfitted with the proper end-of-arm tooling and equipped with the correct safety features, robots can accomplish a wide variety of out-of-the-box tasks such as bartending and more.

Conclusão

While the list for these unique applications could go on, the fact that industrial robots are able to add value to businesses in nearly every industry is impressive to say the least. The truth is, certain applications are extremely unsafe for humans to try, making those tasks perfect for robotic automation. Other applications that are dull or dirty are well-suited for robots, as they can fill a need where a human may not want to do the work. If you can dream it, most likely, our team of experts can make it a reality. And, if you are on the fence about whether a particular task could be automated, chances are, there’s a robot for that!