Tools & Technologies
By Nathan Crabel
Racing to a robotic future
June's issue of ISE magazine featured
autonomous vehicles, detailing success
stories in manufacturing and distribution
and highlighting the advancement
of emerging technologies that are allowing
autonomous driving to be taken
to the open road.
These advances will change the
landscape of logistics planning just as
automation and robotics have transformed
manufacturing and distribution
operations.
Likely, most readers of this magazine
have been on a plant tour or have seen
a video of an automobile assembly line,
food and beverage processing plant or
fabrication facility with automation
and robotics at the helm.
Pushing the boundaries in this field
is Comau, which develops and produces
process automation, manufacturing
and service products. To stay on the
forefront of automation, Comau has
released the Racer3.
In line with the industrial and systems
engineer creed to make things
better, the Racer3 takes the prize in
size, speed and precision. In the calibration
position, the Racer3 sits a mere
2.25 feet (0.685 meters) tall and weighs
66.14 pounds (30 kilograms), similar to
that of a small Labrador retriever. Racer3'
s light weight is made possible by
a hollow body construction and components
built entirely of aluminum and
magnesium.
The Racer3 attributes its speed to its
lightweight build and, according to the
company, “earned it the title of fastest
robot in its category.”
The six-axis articulated robot can be mounted on the floor, ceiling, wall or on a zero- to 90-degree sloped surface.
The Racer3's small size, high speed and precision make it a perfect candidate for assembly, handling, packaging, machine tending, measuring and testing. It also has applications in sealing, polishing and deburring. With applications in various industries, the Racer3 is a great choice within the food and beverage, electronics, plastics and metalwork sectors.
The Racer3's flexibility and precision inspired the arms of Amico, Comau's new human-like robot that was on display at last year's EMO Milano exhibition, a conference that showcased manufacturing machines, tools, robotics and automation. With two Racer3s at its disposal, Amico showed off its precision and assembly skills by placing and removing pistons from an engine block.
Similar to the variety of tools and attachments that can be used with the Racer3, Amico has two Schunk grippers
that act as hands. Each gripper has three fingers with built-in sensors that allow it to recognize a variety of surfaces and use the proper amount of strength to perform the given task. Amico and the Racer3 are the focal points of Comau's new paradigm in robotics.
Robotics and automation have greatly influenced the work of industrial and systems engineers and are providing new tools in the pursuit of efficiency and quality.
Innovations like the Racer3 will continue to drive this change and transform work as we know it.
Nathan Crabel is a consultant with West Monroe Partners and a member of IISE's Young Professionals group.