For many years now, if you buy an ABB robot, you get ABB motors installed on the robot; the same is true for Fanuc, Motoman, and Kawasaki robots. autonox is an industrial robot manufacturer that is doing something a little different. They are selling just the mechanics of the robot, no controller or motors. This allows the integrator to choose the control platform and motors they are familiar with to control the robot. autonox's latest release is the AT_00018.01, a six-axis industrial robot with a 280 kg payload capacity that uses serial-kinematics.
Introducing the AT_00018.01
Industrial robots are known for having proprietary controllers and motors, which can make integrating vision systems, data collection, and control systems challenging. With the AT_00018.01 being part of autonox’s linked robotics program, the end user or machine builder can choose from popular servo motor brands that can be installed by autonox or the customer.
The AT_00018.01 consists of three degrees of translational freedom and three degrees of rotational freedom. The robot has a max payload of 280 kg and an overall reach of 3.275 m. The standard model is not hygienic but is IP64 rated and can be mounted on the floor or ceiling. Available motors for the robot are from Beckhoff, Bosch Rexroth, KEB, KEBA, Rockwell Automation, and Siemens.
Robot Kinematics
Kinematics is the study of a robot's geometry and how it moves through space. The AT_0018.01 uses serial kinematics, meaning that all axes, except the first, move together through physical links. Parallel kinematics, in contrast, is where each axis is connected to the base and the end effector, such as a delta robot. The AT_00018.01's serial design enables greater ranges of motion and higher payloads.
Advancing Industrial Robotics
The AT_00018.01 enables machine builders to build their own robot platform, so integrators need to interface with only one IDE. This ability also facilitates the integration of third-party equipment, such as vision systems or data-collection systems.
When integrating these devices with a typical robot, you need to manage the proper industrial protocol or write handshaking code between the robot and the PLC, and or the robot and the device. For advanced functions such as synchronizing motions or actions, you need to control the robot's motors directly.
autonox's latest robot release gives machine builders the power to customize their machines, enabling them to offer more flexible solutions to their customers.