Basic Robot Types

Posted by Rebecca Haden

Robots are quickly transforming most industries, from manufacturing and assembly lines to healthcare and transportation. Understanding the different types of robots available is crucial for choosing the right one for your specific needs. Here’s an overview of some basic robot types:

Cartesian Robots (Gantry Robots)

See a picture of a Cartesian or Gantry Robot.
  • Description: Cartesian robots, also known as gantry robots, move in straight lines along three linear axes (X, Y,and Z). This makes them ideal for pick-and-place tasks, painting, and dispensing applications.
  • Advantages: Simple design, high accuracy, affordable, and easy to program.
  • Disadvantages: Limited workspace, not suitable for complex maneuvers.

Delta Robots

See a picture of a Delta Robot.
  • Description: Delta robots have a unique parallel arm structure that provides high speed and acceleration. They are often used for high-speed pick-and-place tasks, such as packaging and sorting.
  • Advantages: High speed, high acceleration, large workspace, compact design.
  • Disadvantages: Complex design, can be expensive, limited dexterity.

Articulated Robots (Jointed Arm Robots)

  • Description: Articulated robots have multiple joints that allow them to move in a wide range of directions. This makes them ideal for complex tasks that require a lot of flexibility, such as welding, painting, and assembly.
  • Advantages: High flexibility, large workspace, can reach difficult-to-reach areas.
  • Disadvantages: Complex design, can be expensive, requires more complex programming.

SCARA Robots (Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arms)

  • Description: SCARA robots are a type of articulated robot with two horizontal arms and a vertical joint. This design provides them with high flexibility for tasks in the horizontal plane, while maintaining stability in the vertical plane. They are often used for assembly, pick-and-place, and packaging tasks.
  • Advantages: High speed, high accuracy, good for precise tasks, compact design.
  • Disadvantages: Limited workspace in the vertical direction, not suitable for tasks requiring large reach.

Cylindrical Robots

  • Description: Cylindrical robots have a horizontal arm that can rotate around a vertical axis and extend and retract. This makes them ideal for tasks that require a large reach in a limited space, such as palletizing and machine tending.
  • Advantages: Large workspace, high load capacity, good for lifting heavy objects.
  • Disadvantages: Limited flexibility, not suitable for tasks requiring complex movements.

Polar Robots

  • Description: Polar robots have an arm that rotates around a horizontal axis and can extend and retract. This makes them ideal for tasks that require a large reach in a horizontal plane, such as painting and welding.
  • Advantages: Large workspace, good for painting and spraying applications.
  • Disadvantages: Limited flexibility, not suitable for tasks requiring complex movements.

Collaborative Robots (Cobots)

  • Description: Cobots are designed to work safely alongside humans. They have features such as limited speed and force, and sensors that can detect human presence. This makes them ideal for tasks that require human-robot collaboration, such as assembly and inspection.
  • Advantages: Safe for human interaction, easy to program, flexible and adaptable.
  • Disadvantages: Limited payload capacity, not suitable for heavy-duty tasks.

Choosing the right robot type depends on your specific needs and application. By understanding the different types of robots available, you can make an informed decision that will help you achieve your goals.

No matter what type of robot you use, you need motion control systems. Many factories, printing presses, and other facilities use Indramat motion control. This company, acquired by Rexroth, which is now part of Bosch Rexroth,made some of the best motion control on the planet, and their components are still working in facilities around the world. If you use Indramat drive and control systems, call us when you need Indramat service and support. We’re Indramat specialists, and we have the nation’s largest inventory of emergency replacement units. Contact us for immediate assistance.