Industrial Robots Handbook | Yu. Kozyrev

Industrial robots are being used more and more in many fields of industry where they are replacing human operators engaged in onerous, repetitive, or potentially hazardous jobs. A particular point in favor of robots is that they can be taught to do jobs which are not amenable to automation or mechaniza­tion through conventional approaches. Robot systems are certainly only one of the many possible means of automating and simplifying the production process. They pave the way to a qualitatively new stage of automation, namely, the development of production systems which would require a minimum human attendance.

One of the main advantages of industrial robots is that they can be quickly reprogrammed to undertake tasks that differ in sequence and character of mani­pulation steps. Robots are therefore most cost-effective in conditions of frequent product changes and in automation of jobs requiring manual unskilled labor. A major share of the products of the metal-working and machine-building industries come in low-volume batches. It is essential to evolve automatic assembly machines suitable for short and medium production runs. Of no less importance is to ensure fast retooling of automatic lines and putting them on stream as fast as possible.

Industrial robots can be harnessed to handle not only the main tasks but also auxiliary ones, which explains why they are generating ever greater in­ terest.

From 1970 to 1980, the total world stock of machinery loosely called indu­strial robots increased 25-fold to number 25 000 units. The areas of application of robots extend with each passing year. Robots mostly service press-forging and foundry equipment, and also machine tools. The use of robots for welding, painting, and coating operations continues to extend. In the last few years the number of robots working at assembly jobs has increased.

One of the main causes of the intensive development of robotics is the need to increase productivity in manufacturing. In comparison with conventional automatic means, robots offer greater flexibility in solving technical and orga­nizational problems and shorten the time needed to complete and adjust auto­matic systems, and put them into service.

In deciding on whether to use robots, industrial safety and working conditions should be given prior consideration. This is particularly the case where condi­tions are harmful or hazardous to the health of workers.

To sum up, industrial robots will most likely be used more and more to achieve the following:

— raise the quality and volume of products, with a minimum of labor force employed, owing to a decrease in the production time and reproducible perfor­mance of robots which are not subject to fatigue; increase the life of the equip­ ment; improve the current production processes and create innovative high­ speed production processes and equipment; — improve working conditions by relieving people of stultifying, repetitive, tedious, hazardous tasks; increase the safety of industrial labor; decrease the loss in man-hours due to occupational trauma and industrial diseases;

— decrease labour requirements.

Science and technology are likely to find new ways of developing advanced robots and robotized systems to attain these goals.