Types of Robotic Systems Used in Automotive Industry

The use of robots in the automotive manufacturing industry is not new. The industry is among the largest users of automated industrial robots worldwide. General Motors was the first company that used robotic systems in their manufacturing process in 1961. Since then, the deployment of industrial robots expanded throughout the years. They are used for a wide variety of applications including welding and painting tasks.

With the help of robots, workers can now do complex and arduous tasks with improved flexibility and precision. Thus, lowering automation risks. Today, we are going to explore the different robotic systems in the automotive manufacturing industry. These include exoskeleton devices, AGVs, robotic vision, and collaborative robots.

#1 Exoskeleton Devices

Automakers use large industrial robots to do most automotive operations. But, many assembly processes are still done manually. This is where exoskeletons come in. They help in reducing fatigue caused by repetitive manufacturing operations. Exoskeletons are wearable robots that add strength as well as grip to your hands.

One example of an exoskeleton is General Motors’ RoboGlove. The company developed the machine with NASA. It is a glove that workers wear on their backs like knapsacks. It also comes with tendons, muscles, simulated nerves, actuators, and sensors. These components help in increasing dexterity and reducing fatigue.

#2 Automated Welding

Welding is among the primary applications of industrial robots in automaking. They are commonly used for arc and spot welding. Modern robotic welds equipped with six axes can do a wide variety of welding procedures. These include laser, friction, and complete bodywork tasks. If you are looking for industrial robotic arm welders, you can go to www.evsint.com.

Aside from industrial robots, companies with large assembly lines also use cobots with other robot systems. Cobots share the workspace with human workers. Handlers and robotic welders must work with each other for the production line to keep on moving. Cobots help in automating and streamlining production facilities. They also improve the quality of welds and the rate of production of different vehicle materials.

#3 Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

AGVs are vehicles that are designed for hauling heavy materials around large industrial buildings. They do not require an operator. They also have wheels that allow them to transport materials around facilities. These transporters depend on software development tools that help in navigating their movements. They often use lasers or magnetic strips as guides when navigating around assembly facilities.

AGVs also use 3D mapping technology to carry materials over different distance lengths. Their applications in the automotive manufacturing industry include the following:

Transportation of cars

Transportation of major components such as seats, instrument panels, fascias, and front-end components

Chassis marriage (the process where the car’s body is connected with its chassis)

AGVs not only help in optimizing workflow processes. They also help in improving the safety in your production facility.

#4 Robotic Vision

Robots that are equipped with vision systems can complete tasks with more accuracy. They can deal with greater variance levels via 2D and 3D perception. Programming library functions, such as the OpenCV software, drive these advancements. OpenCV offers a lot of libraries for free. They help you develop computer vision by processing images in real-time.

These software modules along with hardware tools (lasers and cameras on the wrist of robotic arms) make robots smarter. Robots can work more adaptively aside from conducting repetitive moves. With robotic vision, a robot can process visual data and can instantly get feedback. This allows the robot to execute tasks with appropriate calibration and offsetting.

The robot also knows where every part goes. Thus, installing car parts like door panels, windshields, and fenders is more accurate.

#5 Collaborative Robots (Cobots)

Cobots are fundamental game-changers in the industry of automobile manufacturing. These are robots that can safely operate alongside human workers. They come with sensors that allow them to track your location and react once they come into contact with a human. A cobot shuts down automatically when someone gets too close to it.

You can also use cobots as assistants to efficiently automate monotonous and repetitive tasks. The speed, force, and strength of cobots have undergone proper calibration to prevent injuries. Moreover, cobots only need little programming because you can train them through simulations. You do not need to supervise them all the time. They are also smaller and provide more dexterity compared to large industrial robots.

Conclusion

Robotic systems have improved over the years. They were once intimidating and life-threatening machines. Robots nowadays have become safer and can work with humans. You can build innovative and automated manufacturing lines using them. Thus, allowing faster production of high-quality automobiles.

The integration of artificial intelligence into robots provides a lot of advantages. These include having a more cost-effective and efficient automotive production line. Robots are ideal for bulk productions of automotive parts with uniform consistency.