I. Core Components of Robots
The core components of robots mainly include controllers, servo motors, and reducers. These components determine important performance indicators such as the precision, stability, and load capacity of the robot, and they also account for a high proportion of the cost. Among them, reducers account for about 35% of the cost, servo motors about 23%, and controllers about 12%. The controller, as the brain of the robot, is responsible for issuing and transmitting motion instructions, including both hardware and software components. The hardware consists of industrial control boards, while the software includes control algorithms. Servo motors serve as the power source of the robot, converting electrical energy into mechanical energy to drive the robot's motion. The reducer, as a transmission mechanism connecting the power source and the actuator, can reduce the motor speed and increase the torque.
The core components of robots mainly include:
1. Controller: The brain of the robot, responsible for processing and executing program instructions, coordinating and controlling the robot's motion sequence. It consists of hardware and software parts for decision-making, motion planning, and real-time control.
2. Servo Motor: The power source of the robot's motion, responsible for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy to drive the robot's joints or moving parts. The servo system can provide precise speed and position control.
3. Reducer: Used to reduce the high-speed rotation of the servo motor, increase the torque output, and enable the robot to work in situations requiring high torque and precise positioning. Reducers can improve the robot's load capacity and motion accuracy.
These three core components—controller, servo motor, and reducer—typically account for more than 70% of the cost of industrial robots and have a crucial influence on the performance, precision, and reliability of robots. In addition to these, other components such as sensors, end effectors, encoders, mechanical structures, and power systems are also important parts of robots.
II. Important Parts of Robots:
1. Sensors: Devices used to perceive and measure the external environment or the robot's own state. These sensors convert physical, chemical, or biological signals into electrical signals, which are then transmitted to the robot's control system for processing and analysis. Robot sensors have a wide range of applications, including but not limited to tactile sensors, visual sensors, force sensors, proximity sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and auditory sensors. For example, tactile sensors can help the robot understand the properties of objects it touches; visual sensors allow the robot to see and understand its surroundings; force sensors can measure the force applied by the robot to help it perform precise operations; proximity sensors can help the robot avoid collisions with objects; ultrasonic sensors and auditory sensors can help the robot detect and understand its surrounding sound environment.
2. End Effectors: Devices installed at the end of a robot arm, responsible for directly interacting with the environment and completing specific application tasks. The design and function of end effectors vary according to the specific application requirements of the robot and can include gripping, manipulating, detecting, assembling, cutting, spraying, welding, etc. Common end effectors include grippers, suction cups, electromagnets, vacuum suction cups, etc. For example, robot grippers, robot tool changers, robot collision sensors, robot rotary connectors, robot pressure tools, compliant devices, robot spray guns, robot burr cleaning tools, robot arc welding torches, and robot spot welding torches all belong to types of end effectors.
3. Encoders: A type of measurement and feedback device mainly used to detect and record the position, velocity, and direction information of robot joints or moving parts. Encoders are usually installed on servo motor shafts or connected to mechanical drive systems. They convert mechanical motion into electrical signals and transmit these signals to the robot's control system.
4. Mechanical Structures: The overall design and layout of all mechanical components and parts that constitute the robot. These components include but are not limited to the body, arms, wrists, fingers (or end effectors), joints, transmission systems, connectors, and other support and fixing devices. The mechanical structure is one of the core parts of the robot, which supports and connects various parts of the robot and realizes various movements of the robot. The mechanical structure is the foundation for the robot to achieve its functions and motions, determining the robot's appearance, size, weight, rigidity, flexibility, and working range.
5. Power Systems: A collection of components that provide power support and energy management for the robot. By providing stable and reliable power, the power system ensures that various components of the robot can work normally and efficiently. The power system usually includes power modules, batteries, chargers, etc.
In conclusion, the combination of these core components and important parts enables robots to realize human imagination and shine in various fields. With the continuous advancement of technology, future robots will be more intelligent and efficient, creating more value for humanity and making our lives better.