What is a 6-Axis Robot?

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⌚Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:01 - Axes and Joints
02:35 - Factors to consider when choosing a robot
03:07 - Mechanical brakes
03:26 - Servo motors
04:16 - Controller
05:33 - GUI
06:27 - Backup batteries
06:56 - Cabling and IOs
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In this video, we will discuss industrial robots and what they are; and the mechanical and electrical parts of a robot. Robots are electro-mechanical devices that can be used for many tasks.
These tasks can be as simple as moving a box from one conveyor to another. Robots are excellent at doing very specific, repeatable tasks. However, they can also be used for more complex tasks such as building automobiles on an assembly line.
The type of robot is defined by how many axes are used. For each axis, there is at least one servo motor that moves to support that part of the robot. Another name for a servo on a 6-axis robot is a joint.
Each of these joints is made of servo motors with gears and belts to mechanically drive the robot.
Assuming proper maintenance is being performed on the robot, some of its moves can be repeatable to a couple of tenths of a millimeter. The robot’s repeatability is one of the advantages of a 6-axis robot.
Some robots are small enough to place microchips on circuit boards, while others can lift heavy objects like vehicles. Each robot is sized to the desired application. A few factors in choosing a robot are reach, payload, and speed.
Each 6-axis robot has mechanical brakes, a necessary part to prevent movement when the servos are not engaged. Each robot has mechanical hard stops that prevent the robot from moving too far in on some axes.
Another part of the 6-axis robot is the controller. A 6-axis robot controller is an electrical cabinet that houses all the main electrical components that are needed to drive the servo motors for each axis. These cabinets have a few different main components.
- They have a disconnect switch that allows for Lockout/Tagout functions.
- The line voltages can vary but are typically within 208-600 volts AC.
- They have many printed circuit boards (PCBs). One of the PCBs controls the E-stop functions of the robot.
- Some 6-axis controllers have fuses to prevent the board from being damaged.
- There is also a servo amplifier in the 6-axis robot controller.
- Each robot controller has some type of CPU, which is used to make movement calculations.
- Some 6-axis robot controllers are expandable to add auxiliary axes if a 7th axis is needed. These cabinets also can house IO for the interface of peripheral equipment.
Another part of the electrical of a 6-axis robot is the graphical user interface or GUI. Some GUIs are electrically tied to the controller while some use a computer instead. The GUI tied to the controller is a handheld screen with keys on it that are used when programming the robot.
When moving a 6-axis robot, there is a safety switch that has three positions. When the handheld screen’s safety switches are engaged in position 2 this will release the brakes and enable the servo controller to drive the motors.
There is also an E-stop button on the handheld GUI, which can force the robot to shut down if a human is dangerously close to a robot while it is running.
Another important part of a 6-axis robot’s electrical system is the servo encoder backup batteries. These batteries will keep the servo encoder counts when the power is removed from the robot controller.
Most 6-axis robots have cabling running through them. These cables are for all servo motors and various sensors that are needed to run the robot.
- Depending on the manufacturer, some of the inputs and outputs (IOs) are run internally.
- There are also external IO options that are used. The IO of a robot depends on the application.
The IO can drive actuators or see the status of sensors that are mounted on the robot.
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#RealPars #Robot #Industry

[@ikemalachi3089]

I operate one ABB robot, this is a great video thank you

[@realpars]

Great to hear!

[@mohammedsaad7209]

Keep it up with industrial Robotics videos, it's a Brilliant Explanation! 🤍💯

[@realpars]

Thank you, we will!

[@mohameddridi8020]

The best KZbin channel to learn about industry

[@realpars]

Great to hear that, Mohamed! Happy learning

[@jcerranom]

Great topic, Thanks Realpars!!

[@realpars]

Glad you liked it, Julio!

[@hassanrabbaniboyka]

Great video as always. if you have any course in PLC robotics let me know

[@realpars]

Hi Hassan, Thanks for your comment! We do not have video courses on robotics at the moment, I will happily pass it on to our course developers as a topic suggestion. Thanks for sharing and happy learning!

[@james77011]

I can't wait until you guys make more videos on robots 🌹💝

[@realpars]

Thanks for your feedback, James!

[@qaderexpert4316]

Wow, this is a brilliant explanation. keep up please

[@realpars]

Great to hear! Happy learning

[@IngDzib]

Thank you. I watch every video you upload

[@realpars]

We appreciate that a lot, Wilberth! Thanks a million

[@SohilShah_Melodyman]

Very well explained! Thanks for sharing! 😊✨

[@realpars]

You're more than welcome!

[@abdelazizbelarbi2889]

Interesting video 👍🤠

[@breakingbad1837]

Your vedios are hope for many robotics student specially in exam time ⏳l🤗

[@realpars]

That's amazing to hear! Best of luck during finals season

[@monirulhoque3877]

Thanks a ton; waiting for the next video

[@realpars]

Glad to hear that, Monirul!

[@mrrobotech9969]

Keep making videos on robotics we all love it❣️

[@realpars]

More to come!

[@nmparmar32]

Awesome clarifications for beginners...it is a way to become technician to skilled engineer

[@realpars]

Glad you liked it!

[@samurock100]

This series is going to be great

[@realpars]

Thank you!

[@mrrobotech9969]

Love from India, bro I want to learn industrial robotics 🤖 so keep uploading videos ❣️❣️❣️

[@realpars]

Thank you! Happy learning

[@bhanukadayawansa5576]

Great Explanation.

[@realpars]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mrrobotech9969]

Keep making videos on industrial robotics

[@realpars]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@mrrobotech9969]

@@realpars Bro how much cost of 1gb internet in your country ?????

[@VijayKumar-qw1nj]

Thx

[@leninht60]

Great Job! Where can i get pictures like the video?

[@realpars]

Thanks for your support! The pictures are only used in the video course and created by our graphic and animation department - we don't publish them elsewhere at the moment.

[@abdurahmanali846]

❤️

[@amirmohseny9700]

where I can get a simulation for 6 axis robot for practices ?

[@realpars]

There are a few simulators available if you search for "6-axis robot simulator'. The best software simulator I have found is www.codeproject.com/articles/756070/simulator-axis-articulated-robots. However, you will need some C++ programming experience. There are many "science kits" available as well. Do a little research and you will find a lot of different options. A popular kit (may only be available in the US) is New DIY 6-Dof Robot Arm 6 Servos & Circuit Kits for 6 Axis Rotating - Walmart.com. This can be programmed with an Arduino or Raspberry PI with a little experimentation.

[@razerimperator231]

Super

[@lucascouto6908]

Diy arm robot please

[@sifouad6945]

Nice subject a geat add to the Chanel

[@realpars]

Glad you liked it!

[@aleksandersuur9475]

Meh, it would have been better to show an actual robot arm, demonstrate motions in a simulator etc. A cartoon illustration doesn't really add value here. Also, the most important bit to understand in manipulator selection is why six axis, why not 3, 4, 5 or 7? Indeed many times 6 is not the correct choice after all, it depends entirely on application, too few axes does not work and too many sacrifices money, precision, rigidity and cycle time but may save in resale value of equipment, 6 axis often being most generic is easy to repurpose after it's no longer needed on a given job. In addition, often the task is very much not as simple as lifting a box and just because something is possible mechanically, does not mean you are capable of writing software that can correctly tell the robot how to move. For example random bin picking while being mechanically trivial, remains a problem that is not completely solved despite many companies throwing uncounted millions at it.

[@realpars]

While using a real robot arm would add a realistic note to this video, it would also be very expensive to use in this type of video. Our goal is to introduce the learner to the terminology and basic concepts behind a 6-axis robot. It is not meant to be an in-depth design guide or all-encompassing look at how robots work. The topics you brought up are valid and necessary for robot design and evaluation, but are beyond the scope of this introductory video lesson.