Welding robots are usually used for welding car bodies, but the robot's workspace cannot cover the welding from the front to the rear of the car. If the space of this production line is limited and multiple robots are not allowed to work together, what other solutions can be found?
The answer is an additional axis, which installs a sliding rail under the robot's body, allowing the robot to move from the front to the back of the car, equivalent to installing two walking feet for the robot.
This is the meaning of the additional axis.
1. What is an additional axis?
When the workspace is limited, additional motion axes need to be added outside the robot body to expand its motion control functions, improve its flexibility, and working range. Simply put, additional axes can increase the left and right movement ability of robots or achieve a multi-directional rotation function. These additional axes can be rotation axes, guide rail axes, or positioners, and are widely used in various industrial scenarios such as welding, spraying, handling, and palletizing. For example, BORUNTE robots are equipped with access ports for additional axes, supporting 7-axis and 8-axis expansion.
2. Types of Additional Axes
So, the form of the additional axis may not necessarily be a "shaft", but various forms can be presented as needed.
Here are a few common types:
Seventh axis (moving guide rail walking axis)
The seventh axis is typically used to increase the horizontal mobility of industrial robots, enabling them to operate in larger work areas. For example, the BORUNTE robot can be paired with a seventh-axis moving guide rail and used in conjunction with a six-axis robot to achieve loading and unloading tasks between multiple machine tools, or to spray large-sized workpieces in a spraying production line. This additional axis is driven by a servo motor and precisely controlled by a servo amplifier to ensure the stability and accuracy of the robot during movement.
3. Displacement machine (rotating shaft)
A displacement machine is a common additional shaft, mainly used in welding robots, to achieve multi-angle welding by rotating the workpiece. For example, adding a positioner as the seventh axis to industrial robots can achieve multi-directional adjustment of workpieces through rotating the axis, thereby improving welding quality and efficiency. Displacement machines are usually driven by servo motors and power amplified through servo amplifiers to ensure the accuracy of rotational motion.
4. Spray booth
In spraying robots, additional axes are often used to achieve the function of a spraying turntable, which can cover a wider spraying area by rotating or moving the workpiece. When the spraying robot holds the spraying turntable as the seventh axis, it optimizes the spraying path by rotating the axis, improving spraying efficiency and uniformity.
5. How to connect the additional axis to industrial robots
The configuration of additional axes to industrial robots is not very complicated. Taking the BORUNTE robot as an example, a mature configuration solution has been provided.
Give me a simple tutorial to give me a general understanding. (Taking mobile rail as an example)
Step 1: Determine the additional axis scheme
It is necessary to confirm the additional scope of work, functions, whether to walk in a straight line or flip the workpiece, and then determine the type of additional axis, whether to install a positioner or a moving guide rail, etc.
Step 2: Install a linear guide rail on the workshop floor or bracket to ensure levelness. At the same time, fix the robot base on the sliding table of the guide rail and lock it.
Step 3: Electrical Connection
Connect the motor, sensors, and other components of the additional axis to the control system of the robot.
According to the interface requirements of the BORUNTE robot, select appropriate cables and connectors to ensure the stability and reliability of electrical connections. At the same time, it is necessary to follow the electrical drawings for wiring to avoid equipment damage or safety accidents caused by incorrect connections. After completing the electrical connection, perform functional testing to ensure that the additional axis can move as expected and work in conjunction with the robot.
Step 4: Parameter Configuration
Configure parameters for additional axes in the control system of robots. This includes setting parameters such as the motion range, velocity, acceleration, etc., of the additional axis, as well as defining the motion relationship between the additional axis and the robot body. The BORUNTE robot provides an intuitive and easy-to-use operating interface and programming software, allowing users to easily configure parameters through these tools. In the configuration process, attention should be paid to the rationality and coordination of parameters to ensure that the additional axis and the robot body can work together to achieve the expected motion effect.
It should be noted that it is necessary to check whether the movement of the additional axis is smooth and accurate, and whether the collaborative work with the robot body is coordinated and efficient. At the same time, attention should be paid to the stability and reliability of the additional shaft during long-term operation to ensure that it can meet actual production needs.
These are just some common types and application cases of additional axes. The types and application scope of additional shafts are very wide, and can be customized and applied according to specific production and operational requirements.