ROBOTICS

Robot Definition

"A robot is a reprogrammable, multi-functional manipulator

designed to move material, parts, tools, or specialized
devices through variable programmed motions for the
performance of a variety of tasks." (Robotics Institute of
America)

Where Used & Applied?

Robots are used in almost any industry where repetitive

tasks are involved, or the task is difficult manually, or
dangerous, such as

welding, painting, or surface finishing in the aerospace

or automotive industries

electronics and consumer products assembly and

inspection

inspection of parts by robot assisted sensors or in the

form of a Coordinate Measurement Machine (CMM)

underwater and space exploration

hazardous waste remediation in government labs,

nuclear facilities, and medical labs

Advantages

Greater flexibility, reprogrammability, adjustable kinematic

dexterity

Greater response time to inputs than humans

Improved product quality
Accident reduction
Reduction of hazardous exposure for human workers
Automation less susceptible to work stoppages

Disadvantages
Replacement of human labor
More unemployment
Advertised technology does not always disclose some of
the hidden disadvantages

Robot Types
Robots usually have joints to position the tool and joints to
orient the tool. Gross positioning is accomplished by the
inner (primal) joints, while orientation is accomplished by
the outer (distal) joints.
When classifying a robot type, the primal joints are used, it
being understood that the orientation joints can be added
to give the orientation flexibility required. Thus, the figures
which follow show only the first three joints in the robot
type classification.

Figure 1 - Revolute:
RRR

Figure 2 - Spherical:
RRP

Figure 3 - Cylindrical:
PRP

Figure 4 Rectangular: PPP