What Is the Difference Between Industrial Robots and Robotic Arms?

A mechanical arm is a mechanical device, which can be automatic or human-controlled; an industrial robot is a kind of automation equipment, and a mechanical arm is a type of industrial robot. Industrial robots also have other forms.

Mechanical Arm

The robotic arm is "a fixed or mobile machine. Its structure is usually composed of a series of interconnected or relatively sliding parts to grab or move objects. It can realize automatic control, repeatable programming, and multiple degrees of freedom (axis ). Its working method is mainly through linear movement along the X, Y, and Z axes to reach the target position.”

Industrial Robot

According to the definition of ISO 8373, an industrial robot is a mechanical device that automatically performs work. It is a machine that realizes various functions by its own power and control capabilities. It can be commanded by humans, and it can also be run in accordance with pre-arranged procedures. Modern industrial robots can also act according to the principles and guidelines established by artificial intelligence technology.

The difference between robots and robotic arms

The robotic arm is the most widely used mechanical device in the field of robotics, which is widely used in industry, medical, military, and space fields. Manipulators are divided into four axes, five axes, six axes, multi-axis, 3D/2D robots, independent manipulators, hydraulic manipulators, etc. Although there are many types, they have one thing in common is that they can receive instructions and accurately locate in three dimensions (or two dimensions). ) A point in space to perform operations.

The difference between a robot and a mechanical arm is that the robot can not only receive instructions from humans, it can also perform tasks in accordance with human pre-programmed programs, and it can also act according to the principles specified by artificial intelligence. In the future, robots will assist or replace more human tasks, especially repetitive tasks, and dangerous tasks.

The definitions of robots in European and American countries and Japan are different:

European and American countries believe that robots should be controlled by computers, and they can be programmed to become multifunctional automatic machines; Japan believes that robots are advanced automatic machines, so the robotic arm is included in the definition of robots.

European and American countries believe that robotic arms with 6 axes and above can be called robots, and those with 5 axes and below can only be called robotic arms; Japan defines 3-axis robotic arms as robots.

At present, the concept of robots in the world has basically become the same, and they all believe that robots are an automated machine that realizes various functions by its own power and control capabilities.

The difference between robot and manipulator in the scope of application:

Robotic arms are widely used in the industry, and the main technologies they include are drive and control. Robotic arms are generally in series.

Robots are mainly divided into the series structure and parallel structure:

Parallel robots (PM) are mostly used in occasions that require high rigidity, high precision, high speed, and no large space, and are specifically used in sorting, handling, simulated motion, parallel machine tools, metal cutting processing, robot joints, space vehicle interfaces, etc.;

The series robot and the parallel robot form a complementary relationship in the application. The series robot has a large working space and can avoid the coupling effect between the drive shafts. However, each axis of the mechanism must be controlled independently, and encoders and sensors are needed to improve the accuracy of motion.

Reference: kknews