Your questions answered: Why collaborative robots need plug-and-play peripherals

Faster startup and redeployment are key reasons for using plug-and-play peripheral effectors and sensors with collaborative robotics.

By Early Ewing July 3, 2019

Answers on plug-and-play peripheral devices for collaborative robots were provided by Early Ewing, UR+ product manager – Americas, Universal Robots USA Inc. Ewing spoke on June 13 and answered questions in a webcast, “Plug and Play Peripherals for Collaborative Robots.”

Collaborative robots can be used in an industrial setting and operate collaboratively with humans with appropriate risk assessments and mitigation. Such robots can be made even simpler to deploy when coupled with peripheral devices – end effectors to actuate or sensors to measure or both – can lead to productive activity more quickly when they can plug and play.

More answers follow.

Question: I think I see something that will on the end-effector page, but what if I cannot make it work with my application? What are next steps/options?

Ewing: I recommend contacting a UR sales representative to help walk you through your application. We will be glad to guide you.

Q: If I cannot find a UR+ Solutions end of arm tooling option for my application, do you have recommendations?

Ewing: You are not limited to UR+ solutions; our distribution and integration partners can absolutely work with you to help you out!

Q: With traditional robotics, an often-applied rule is that integrated and installed cost with tooling is roughly double the robot cost. Is there a budgetary blueprint to consider?

Ewing: You can typically expect plug-and-play peripherals to reduce that figure but it depends on the application.

Q: The webcast had an operating temperature question, and now I see a climate-controlled jacket for the robot that might help. Can other hardware or software extend UR robot capabilities?

Ewing: Roboworld is a provider that offers climate-controlled suits. They are listed on UR+.

Q: Have any end-users or system integrators adapted solutions for the UR+ Solutions market?

Ewing: Absolutely, our community of integrators and end users contribute their learnings into products every day.

Q: How quickly can peripherals be changed if I want to use a UR robot for one application on first shift and another for second and third shift?

Ewing: Usually within minutes.

Where is there more information for users, developers, and system integrators?

Ewing: Learn more at https://www.universal-robots.com/plus/developer/.

Other specific questions about collaborative robot applications and robot specifications can be answered by contacting a UR sales representative, Ewing noted.

– Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager, Control Engineering, CFE Media, mhoske@cfemedia.com.

KEYWORDS: Collaborative robots, robotics, robot peripherals, robot effectors

Robot peripheral devices help with specific applications.

Ease of use helps collaborative robots and their peripheral devices to be productive more quickly.

Robotic system return on investment is faster when setup and reconfiguration is easier.

CONSIDER THIS

How will these answers help with your robotic implementation?

See a related UR plug-and-play peripherals webcast with question and answer session.

Read “Why collaborative robots need plug-and-play peripherals

Learn more about the Universal Robots e-Series in the New Products for Engineers Database.

Original content can be found at Control Engineering.


Author Bio: UR+ product manager – Americas, Universal Robots USA Inc.