SCARA stands for Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm. SCARA robots feature two parallel joints that move along an X-Y plane and rotating shafts positioned vertically at the effector. SCARA robots are used in applications that require precise lateral movement and are especially well-suited for assembly applications.

Also referred to as a parallel robot, a delta robot has three arms that connect to a single base. This type of robot works in a dome shape, moving precisely and delicately even at high speeds. All three arms directly control the joint of the end effector. Delta robots are most commonly used for quick pick-and-place applications in industries like food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and electronics.

A gantry robot, otherwise known as a linear or cartesian robot, is an automated industrial system that moves along three linear axes (X, Y, and Z), giving it a three-dimensional cubic envelope of working space. Its top-down working space includes two linear paths that meet at right angles to create the working plane, or X-Y plane. When you add the third axis, or Z-axis, a depth is created that the end-of-arm tool can operate inside the cubical envelope.

Cartesian robots are popular due to the number of tasks they are able to perform. They feature adjustable speed, precision, size, and stroke length. The most common applications for these robots are in 3D printing operations or with CNC machines.

Collaborative Robots, or Cobots, are a class of industrial robots that combine safety attributes with traditional industrial robotics. These safety features mitigate the more dangerous aspects of high-speed production robotics, a step in the change from Conventional robotics. 

Industrial robots are required to be safely segmented from the human workforce through complex fencing, area safety scanners, and traditional light curtains.

One of the first areas collaborative robots saw use was tending other machines. CNC or molding machines found these cobots to be a great addition to their production processes. The robots are cheaper than their typical counterparts. The safety systems allow the cobots to work in a tighter workspace. 

Packaging and palletizing operations are other areas where collaborative robots and AMRs can be beneficial. These robotic systems can perform the more repetitive aspects within an integrated space while humans provide ancillary tasks like removing filled containers or transferring trays. With the cobot’s safety features, the combined operation can take up much less space than conventional automation without compromising safety.

Liquid Dispense and Testing work cell operations benefit from the use of cobots and AMRs. When robotics’ repeatability meets the safety of collaborative robots, the in-built safety systems allow these robots to work in much smaller envelopes and make it easier for technicians and operators. Without these ingrained safety features, automated systems would require automating infeed and outfeeds. These extra feed systems take up space and reduce workflow flexibility.

Cobots are the next frontier for industrial automation and medical technology. Partnering with Big Sky Engineering guarantees precision and craftsmanship. Our experience outperforms our competition. From our custom programming capabilities to various cost-effective vendors, we continually invest in research and development to produce top-notch cobot capabilities.

Big Sky Engineering is a multi-brand robot integrator with expansive knowledge of designing, building, and programming collaborative robot implementations.