With the rapid development of Industry 4.0 and intelligent manufacturing, robotics technology is increasingly used in industrial production. Among them, industrial robot and collaborative robot are the two main types.
Although they are both used for automated production, they differ significantly in function, application scenarios and design concepts.
Below, XV-technology will introduce their functions and differences, as well as their application advantages and future application prospects in detail.
What is a collaborative robot?
A collaborative robot is a robot that can safely collaborate with humans in a shared workspace.
Unlike traditional industrial robots, collaborative robots are usually lightweight, flexible in operation, and equipped with advanced safety features.
The main task of collaborative robots is to assist humans in completing repetitive, high-precision or dangerous tasks, thereby improving production efficiency and reducing labor intensity.
Typical applications of collaborative robots include assembly, packaging, quality inspection, material handling, etc.
because collaborative robots are easy to program and deploy and can quickly adapt to different task requirements.
What is the difference between an industrial robot and a collaborative robot?
1. Safety
Collaborative robots are designed to work in the same space as humans and are equipped with force sensors and collision detection functions. They can stop running immediately when a collision is detected to ensure the safety of operators.
The representative model of the XV-technology platform is CR605.
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2. Flexibility
Industrial robots are usually used for large-scale, high-intensity production tasks such as automobile manufacturing, welding and spraying.
In contrast, collaborative robots have higher flexibility and can quickly adapt to new tasks through simple programming or manual guidance. They are very suitable for small-batch, multi-variety production modes.
3. Cost
Industrial robots are usually expensive and require additional safety facilities and installation costs.
Collaborative robots are relatively cheap and can significantly reduce initial investment and operating costs due to their lightweight design and easy deployment.
4. Load capacity
Industrial robots usually have a high load capacity and can handle heavy materials and large-scale production tasks.
The load capacity of collaborative robots is relatively low, usually below 10 kg, suitable for lightweight work tasks.
The representative model of the XV-technology platform is CR610.
Advantages and features of collaborative robots
This type of robot arm has significant application advantages in modern manufacturing, especially in terms of flexibility, safety and cost-effectiveness.
1. Improve production efficiency
For example, on the assembly line, collaborative robots can be responsible for fine operations such as screwing and welding, while human workers focus on tasks that require higher judgment.
The XV-technology platform can provide welding robots JH series and welding solutions.
2. Reduce labor intensity
Collaborative robots are able to undertake heavy physical labor and reduce the labor intensity of workers, thereby improving the working environment and reducing the risk of work-related injuries.
For example, in the field of material handling and packaging.
3. Enhanced safety
For example, force sensors and collision detection can ensure safety when working in close proximity with humans.
This enables them to work with humans without physical barriers, further optimizing production space.
Future application prospects of collaborative robots
1. Medical and health fields
For example, they can be used to assist in surgery, rehabilitation training, and drug delivery.
The high precision and safety of collaborative robots make them an ideal choice for the medical industry.
2. Service industry
In the service industry, collaborative robots can be used in catering, hotels, and retail.
For example, they can take on tasks such as ordering, delivering, and cleaning, thereby reducing labor costs and improving service efficiency.
3. Smart home
With the popularization of smart homes, collaborative robots are expected to enter the home environment and take on tasks such as housework, care, and entertainment.
As an important part of modern manufacturing, collaborative robots are changing the traditional production model.
With their flexibility, safety and cost-effectiveness, they have become an ideal choice for small and medium-sized enterprises and multi-variety production lines.
Compared with traditional industrial robots, collaborative robots focus more on human-machine collaboration and can interact safely with humans in a shared workspace.
