This guide and glossary is a step into industrial automation and your key to unlocking the future of making things. You want to boost your line’s speed, quality, or smarts? Starting with the basics is key.
We’re talking the essentials—from what PLCs do to how robotic arms can help you. This journey is about making sure you pick the tech that fits your needs and budget perfectly.
Let’s dive in, and get you set up with the right automation tools.
Refers to tooling systems that can change how they grip objects depending on factors like shape and size, making them more versatile for handling various materials.
Refers to the capability of safety scanners to survey and analyze a predefined space around machinery or robots for the presence of unauthorized objects or personnel.
A robot with rotary joints to provide a wide range of movements. These robots are commonly used in manufacturing for tasks requiring high precision and flexibility.
The ability of a robot to determine its path and move through its environment without human intervention, using sensors, algorithms, and sometimes machine learning.
Refers to the arrangement and number of linear axes (X, Y, Z) that a Cartesian robot utilizes, determining its movement capabilities and workspace dimensions.
Techniques used to correct or minimize the play or loose movement in the gear and joint connections, critical for maintaining precision in repetitive tasks.
A mechanism often incorporated into EOATs for ejecting parts or clearing debris using compressed air, critical for maintaining clean and efficient operation.
The process of measuring and correcting the intrinsic (camera-specific) and extrinsic (position and orientation) parameters to improve the accuracy of the vision system.
Robots that operate along three orthogonal axes (X, Y, and Z) offering simple, straight-line movements. They are typically used for CNC machines and 3D printing.
The amount of force applied by a gripper or clamp EOAT to hold an object securely during manipulation, impacting the tool’s ability to handle different materials without causing damage.
A set of points in a coordinate system representing the external surfaces of objects. In 3D vision systems, these are generated from depth data to create a 3D model of the scene.
Software algorithms that predict and prevent physical interference between robot components and external objects, enhancing safety and operational reliability.
The ability of safety scanners to identify the shape and size of objects within their monitoring area, aiding in differentiating between personnel and work materials.
Equipment integrated into CNC machines to regulate the temperature of the tool and workpiece, preventing overheating and ensuring dimensional accuracy.
An image or data array containing information related to the distance between the surface of objects from a viewpoint (typically the camera lens) to the camera.
A common drive mechanism for mobile robots, using two separately driven wheels placed on either side of the robot, allowing for simple and effective turning and speed control.
The ability of EOATs to operate without emitting or being affected by electromagnetic interference, ensuring reliability in electronically sensitive environments.
The interface on the Z-axis or tooling plate for attaching various tools or devices, designed for specific tasks such as gripping, welding, or dispensing.
Various tools that can be attached to the end of a robot arm, such as grippers, drills, and welding torches, allowing robots to perform different tasks.
Features in safety scanners that adjust sensitivity and detection parameters based on environmental conditions like dust, ambient light, or temperature.
The process of determining and adjusting the external spatial relationship between multiple cameras or between cameras and other sensors in a 3D vision system.
The process of identifying and isolating various attributes or characteristics within an image, such as edges, corners, or blobs, to facilitate object recognition or inspection.
The process of designing or selecting robots to maximize the use of available floor space, particularly important in compact or crowded manufacturing settings.
The integration of sensors in EOATs to detect and measure the force exerted during operation, allowing for delicate handling of objects and feedback for adaptive control.
A method for 3D shape measurement that projects a series of light patterns onto an object and captures the deformed patterns with a camera to calculate the object’s surface contours.
A device that connects different networks, allowing data to flow from one to another, often used in industrial automation for communication between field devices and control systems.
The use of GPS or RFID technology to create a virtual geographic boundary, enabling software to trigger a response when a mobile robot enters or leaves a particular area.
An image composed of shades of gray, without color, where each pixel represents an intensity of light. Grayscale images are widely used in 2D vision systems for analysis and processing due to their simplicity compared to full-color images.
A feature in advanced EOATs that confirms whether an object has been securely grasped, enhancing operational reliability and reducing the risk of dropping or mishandling items.
A device at the end of a robot arm used to grasp objects. Types include finger grippers, vacuum grippers, and magnetic grippers, each suitable for specific tasks
A type of gear often used in robotics for high precision and reliability, featuring a high gear reduction ratio beneficial for smooth and accurate arm movements.
The process of determining the internal optical characteristics of a camera, such as focal length, optical center, and lens distortion, crucial for accurate 3D measurements.
The tracking and control of goods and materials throughout the supply chain, often facilitated by automated inventory management systems, RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology, or warehouse automation solutions.
A technique for measuring the distance from a laser to a surface by detecting the laser dot’s displacement on a camera, used in 3D scanning and profiling systems.
The task of loading and unloading parts or products into a machine, such as a CNC machine or a 3D printer, usually performed by industrial robots to automate production processes.
The technology and methods used to provide imaging-based automatic inspection and analysis for applications such as automatic inspection, process control, and robot guidance.
EOATs that use magnetic forces to hold ferromagnetic objects, ideal for handling items with smooth or perforated surfaces where vacuum or mechanical grips are ineffective.
A measure of how well a robot can position and orient its end effector in space, important for assessing its effectiveness in performing specific tasks.
he movement, storage, control, and protection of materials and products throughout the manufacturing process, often facilitated by automated systems such as conveyor belts, AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), or robotic arms.
The process of cutting, grinding, or machining materials to shape or finish them, commonly automated with CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines, robots, or industrial cutting systems.
A standard set of machine instructions used to control automated machinery or processes, often used in CNC (Computer Numerical Control) systems to initiate specific actions or functions.
A communication protocol commonly used for connecting industrial devices, allowing PLCs to communicate with various sensors, actuators, and other controllers.
A feature that allows multiple safety scanners to operate in close proximity without causing false alarms or detection errors due to overlapping fields.
The conversion of images of typed, handwritten, or printed text into machine-encoded text, used in 2D vision systems for identifying and processing human-readable characters.
The process of preparing products for storage, transport, and sale by placing them into containers or wrapping them in protective materials, frequently automated using packaging machinery and robots.
The application of paint, powder, or other coatings onto surfaces for protection or decoration, frequently automated using robotic painting systems to achieve uniform coverage and precise application.
A configuration that maintains rigidity and supports high-speed operations with minimal vibration, suited for tasks requiring fast and precise movements.
The effectiveness of the robot’s ability to determine and follow the optimal route for performing a task, minimizing motion waste and increasing speed.
The selection and arrangement of items for order fulfillment or shipping, typically done with automated picking systems, robots, or sorting machines in warehouse and distribution centers.
A control loop feedback mechanism (Proportional, Integral, Derivative) used in PLCs for continuous control of processes such as temperature, flow, and pressure.
The function of translating data and commands from one communication protocol to another, enabling interoperability between different systems and devices.
The assessment of products or parts to ensure they meet predetermined standards or specifications, commonly done using automated vision systems, sensors, or robotic inspection stations.
An image where each pixel denotes the distance from the sensor to the point in the scene corresponding to the pixel, used in 3D imaging to create depth maps.
The ability of a robot to return to a specific position or perform a specific movement with high precision multiple times under the same conditions. Repeatability is crucial for tasks requiring high accuracy and is a key performance indicator for cobots and industrial robots alike.
A technology used in mobile robotics for tracking and identifying tags attached to objects through electromagnetic fields, useful in navigation and inventory management.
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems that use computers, networked data communications, and graphical user interfaces for high-level process supervisory management.
An acronym for Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm, known for its rigidity in the Z-axis and flexibility in the XY-axis, ideal for pick-and-place tasks.
Technologies integrated into grippers to provide them with the ability to sense characteristics of the objects they are handling and make decisions accordingly.
The ability to adjust the velocity of the robot’s movement across its axes, essential for optimizing operational efficiency and handling delicate tasks.
A technique that uses two cameras to obtain depth information by comparing the differences between the images from each camera, although primarily associated with 3D vision systems, it lays foundational concepts for understanding image depth and dimensionality.
A 3D scanning method that involves projecting a known pattern of light onto a scene and analyzing the pattern’s deformation to deduce the 3D structure of the scene.
The extent of rotational movement allowed by the robot’s arm or joints, impacting the robot’s ability to access different areas within its work envelope.
A sensor used in grippers to detect and measure the force and pressure between the gripper and the object, contributing to delicate handling and manipulation.
A method in digital image processing for finding areas of an image that match a template image, used in applications such as object recognition and localization.
The evaluation of products or components to ensure they meet performance or quality standards, often conducted using automated testing equipment, sensors, or measurement devices.
A technology used in 3D vision systems that measures the time taken by a light signal to travel from the camera to the subject and back to determine distance and generate 3D imagery.
The hardware and software protocols that enable data exchange between the EOAT and the robot’s control system, essential for coordinating actions and ensuring task accuracy.
The ability to precisely control the torque in the robot’s joints, enabling delicate manipulation of objects, important in assembly operations requiring nuanced force application.
A technique for capturing three-dimensional data from the real world, often used in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications to create immersive environments.
The process of joining metals together using heat and/or pressure, often automated with robotic welding systems to improve accuracy, speed, and consistency.
A computer graphics technique used in rendering 3D images to manage image depth coordinates in 3D applications, ensuring that objects are displayed in the correct order.
A system that uses cameras to capture images of the environment or objects, which are then processed to guide robot actions, such as object recognition or quality inspection.
Systems that use sensors to make a 3D model of the surroundings or objects, helping robots do tasks like picking up odd-shaped objects.
Last Note:
This glossary unlocks industrial automation for you, simplifying the journey to enhance your production line. From explaining PLCs to showcasing how robotic arms can benefit you, we ensure you find technology that matches your needs and budget. It’s all about choosing the right automation tools to make your operations faster, better, and smarter.
If we have missed any or very important keywords, let us know in the comments down below!
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