Page 15 - Industrial Technology EXTRA 1st Febraury 2021

being humanoid and the other a selective Dependable design
T
compliance articulated robot arm (SCARA). o bring 2021’s predictions into reality, it’s
Shibuara Machine’s humanoid robot can handle a important that design engineers choose high
10kg payload with both arms, and is designed for performance motors to ensure the robots perform
human-machine collaboration in parts assembly effectively and with reliability.
and inspection processes. The SCARA cobot is EMS is the sole UK supplier of Faulhaber
suited to fast-paced handling applications, such as motors, which are all made in a high precision
in electronics assembly. manufacturing process that makes them reliable
and repeatable. The BXT series is particularly suited
Mobility matters to cobot and mobile robot applications because of
As robots become able to detect and react to human its flat construction, which adds minimal bulk to the
presence, they can safely adopt increased mobility system, allowing swift and precise movements.
to allow them to take on a greater role in business Despite its small size, the series can deliver class
operations. Robot mobility is another large trend leading torque thanks to its innovative winding
forecast for 2021, with the International Federation technology.
of Robotics (IFR) predicting the market value of Covid-19 has forced workplaces to adapt to a
logistics robots, the majority being autonomous new normal, and business operations are likely to
mobile robots (AMRs), to continue strong growth of be changed forever by the pandemic. Increased
40 per cent per year. investment in automation won’t only support the
Mobile robots were initially deployed in industry as it navigates the pandemic, as clear
warehouse and storage operations, where they productivity advantages will make robotic
could be used to transport goods. They have since colleagues a long term feature on the factory floor.
made waves in the manufacturing sector in tasks www.ems-limited.co.uk
such as machine loading and
unloading and materials transport.
Mobility technology has also enabled
robots to take on roles outside
industrial buildings, such as in
delivery services, farming and
hospitals.
For example, in Zealand
University Hospital, Denmark, the
Optimus robot from Mobile Industrial
Robots (MIR) is helping with internal
transportation of sterile disposable
equipment across the 190,000
square metre hospital. The robot
travels over ten kilometres (km) a
week, and in doing so saves human
worker steps, prevents equipment
shortages and improves service.

February 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA • p15