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The SCARA acronym stands for Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm or Selective
Compliance Articulated Robot Arm.
The SCARA robot is most commonly used for pick-and-place or assembly operations where high
speed and high accuracy is required. Generally a SCARA robot can operate at higher speed and
with optional cleanroom specification.
Industrial robots are defined as ‘multi-functional manipulators designed to move parts through
various programmed motions’. As such, robots provides consistent reliable
performance, repetitive accuracy and are able to handle heavy work loads and perform in harsh
environments. Additionally, robots can be quickly reprogrammed to reflect changes in
production needs and cycles.
Scara Robots configuration
Four axis SCARA robot that consists of an inner link that rotates about the World Z-axis,
connected to an outer link that rotates about a Z elbow joint, which in turn is connected to a wrist
axis that moves up and down and also rotates about Z. An alternative configuration has the linear
Z motion as the second axis. These are the most popular geometries for vertical assembly and
small parts pick-and-place operations.
The SCARA robot is a manipulator with four degrees of freedom. This type of robot has been
developed to improve the speed and repeatability ON PICK&PLACE TASKS from one location
to another or to speed and improve the steps involved in assembly. This is why it is often used
with FlexiBowl®.
Morover these robots are used in the automotive field, as well as electronic, and other industrial
fields where manufacturers needs to feed bulk components of all sizes; in these areas
FlexiBowl® is performing so good that is replacing others parts feeders.
SCARA kinematics makes this robot particularly suitable to perform assembly tasks with tight
tolerances, such as putting a shaft into a hole, thanks to the capability to adjust the movement on
the horizontal plane, while at the same time maintaining high rigidity on the vertical direction.
The mechanics of the SCARA arm is generally quite strong and can withstand without problems
unexpected stress and collisions.
In a SCARA robot junctions of the shoulder and elbow are vertical and the wrist moves
vertically. This configuration minimizes the effects of gravity on the robot by downloading them
to the ground and allowing the use of this machine in cases of strong pressures as in vertical
perforations.
SCARA robot for assembly: FlexiBowl® is the ideal partner for a SCARA robot to develop
highly flexible, efficient feeding solutions.
For example in the case of cosmetic Industry, during a feeding test of mascara brushes,
FlexiBowl® has been used with an Adept cobra i600 and Ace AdeptSight vision system, creating
a perfect synchronization with the hopper and uniform part distribution on the feeder surface and
giving very regular and efficient performances.
The communication with robot controller and vision system is done by sending simple commands
through the available communications ports: ethernet, ethercat, digital i/o signals.
FlexiBowl® shaking movements allow parts to lie on feeder surface with the right orientation;
the vision system can then locate them and send coordinates to the SCARA robot for the pick up
phase. This is possible thanks to all electronics and motion controls embedded in robot arm.