|
Glossary of Robotic Terminology Acceleration-level - Mathematical formulations working with the change in joint speeds with respect to time. Integrating accelerations twice provides displacements. See position-level and velocity-level. Accuracy - The ability of a robot to reach a given point in space repeatedly and how far off it will be in the worst case. Actuator - A power mechanism used to effect motion of the robot; a device that converts electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic energy into robot motion. (Common Misspellings: actuater, actuattor) Algorithm - A set of procedures used to solve a problem. Analytical Methods - Purely mathematical methods that do not require iteration. Application
Program -
The set of instructions that defines the specific intended tasks of
robots and robot systems. This program may be originated and modified
by the robot user. Automatic
Mode -The robot state in which automatic operation can
be initiated. Automation Solutions - The techniques and equipment used to achieve automatic operation or control. Autonomous - Operating independently without pre-programmed behaviors and without supervision from humans. (Common Misspellings: autonomus, autonomos) Axis - The line about which a rotating body (such as a tool) turns. Ball Screw - A device for transforming rotary motion to linear, or vice versa, incorporating a threaded rod portion and a nut consisting of a cage holding many ball bearings. Barrier - A physical means of separating persons from the restricted envelope (space). Base - The platform which supports the manipulator arm. Biomimetic - Mimicking life or natural biological systems. Business Process Automation (BPA) - The process of integrating enterprise applications, reducing human intervention wherever possible, and assembling software services into end-to-end process flows. Cam - A rotating part which, due to its eccentric center line, causes an in-and-out motion in any part pushing against it. Cartesian Robot/Gantry Robot – Robot whose arm has three prismatic joints, whose axes are coincident with a Cartesian coordinator. Chassis - The part of a motor vehicle that includes the engine, the frame suspension system, wheels, steering mechanism etc. but not the body. Closed-form - A problem formulation that does not require iteration for its solution. Collision Sensor - Robotic end effector or device that can detect a crash before or during a collision of the robot or its tool. Collision sensors send a signal back to the robot controller before or during a collision to have the robot avoid the collision or stop before or during a collision. Robotic crash protection devices are collision sensors that detect the collision during the crash. A collision sensor is also know as a robot safety joint, robot overload protection device, crash protection device, robot safety mount, robotic clutch and robotic collision protector. Compensator - Remote compliance center device using three to twelve elastomeric shear pads to aid in the insertion of peg-in-hole applications. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) - The use of a computer to assist in the design of a product or manufacturing system. Computer-Aided
Manufacturing ( CAM) - The use of a computer to assist
in the manufacturing process. Control
Device
- Any piece of control hardware providing a means for human
intervention in the control of a robot or robot system, such as an
emergency-stop button, a start button, or a selector switch. Degrees of freedom - The number of independent variables in the system. Each joint in a serial robot represents a degree of freedom. Device
- Any piece of control hardware such as an emergency-stop button,
selector switch, control pendant, relay, solenoid valve, sensor, etc. Digital Computer - A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities represented as digits, usually in the binary number system. Direct
Numerical Control (DNC) - The use of a computer for
providing data inputs to several remote numerically controlled machine
tools. Drive Power - The energy source or sources for the robot actuators. Dynamics
- The study of energy or forces that cause motion. Emergency
Stop
- The operation of a circuit using hardware-based components that
overrides all other robot controls, removes drive power from the robot
actuators, and causes all moving parts to stop. End-effector
-The robot's last link. The robot uses the end-effector to accomplish a
task. The end-effector may be holding a tool, or the end-effector
itself may be a tool. The end-effector is loosely comparable to a
human's hand. Examples may include gripper, spot-weld guns, arc-weld
guns, spray- paint guns, or any other application tools. (Common
Misspellings: end-effecter, end-affector, end-affecter) End-Of-Arm Tooling - Virtually anything that is placed on the end of a robot arm. Energy
Source - Any electrical, mechanical, hydraulic,
pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other source. Exponential Assembly - A form of self-replication in which tiny devices called nanorobots repeatedly construct copies of themselves. Factory Automation – Automation of a manufacturing environment or assembly line. Feedback - a signal from the robot equipment about conditions as they really exist, rather than as the computer has directed them to exist. Fixed Automation (Hard Automation) - Automated, electronically controlled system for simple, straight or circular motion. These systems are mainly used for large production runs where little flexibility is required. Flexibility - The ability of a robot to perform a variety of different tasks. Flexible
Automation - Designing and building of custom dedicated
automated systems. Hazard
- A situation that is likely to cause physical harm. Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) (or, alternatively, computer-human interaction) - the study of interaction between people (users) and computers. Hybrid - A robot that is part pick and place and part servo controlled, or has the same abilities. Industrial
Equipment
- Physical apparatus used to perform industrial tasks, such as welders,
conveyors, machine tools, fork trucks, turn tables, positioning tables
or robots. Industrial Robot - An automatically controlled, reprogrammable, multipurpose manipulator programmable in three or more axes. The field of industrial robotics may be more practically defined as the study, design and use of robot systems for manufacturing. (Common Misspellings include: industrail robot, industrail robots, industry robot, industryial robot) Industrial Robotics - The study, design and use of robot systems for manufacturing. Industrial Robot System - A system that includes industrial robots, the end-effectors, and the devices and sensors required for the robots to be taught or programmed, or for the robots to perform the intended automatic operations, as well as the communication interfaces required for interlocking, sequencing, or monitoring the robots. Inequality Constraint - A restriction that limits the value of a dependent or independent variable. Inequality constraints limit the robot's joint travels (joint limits), joint speeds (speed limits) and torques (torque limits). Interface - A boundary between the robot and machines, transfer lines, or parts outside immediate environment. The root must communicate with these items through input/output signals provided by sensors. Interlock
- An arrangement whereby the operation of one control or mechanism
brings about or prevents the operation of another. Integrator
– Company that combines and coordinates
separate parts or elements into a unified whole using mechanical means.
(Common misspellings include:
Integrater,Integreater, integreator, integratour) Joint
Motion - A method for coordinating the movement of the
joints such that all joints arrive at the desired location
simultaneously. Jointed Arm Robot - A robot whose arm consists of two links connected by "elbow" and "shoulder" joints to provide three rational motions. This robot most closely resembles a human arm. Kinematics
- The study of motion without regards to the forces that cause those
motions Limiting
Device
- A device that restricts the maximum envelope (space) by stopping or
causing to stop all robot motion and is independent of the control
program and the application programs. Maintenance - The act of keeping the robots and robot systems in their proper operating condition. Manipulator - The mechanical arm mechanism, consisting of a series of links and joints, which accomplishes the motion of an object through space. Maximum
Envelope Space -
The volume of space encompassing the maximum designed movements of all
robot parts including the end-effector, workpiece, and attachments. Mechanization - Introducing the use of machines to a production process. Mobile Robot - A self-propelled and self-contained robot that is capable of moving over a mechanically unconstrained course. Moment - (Mech.) (a) With respect to a point, the product of the intensity of the force into the perpendicular distance from the point to the line of direction of the force. (b) With respect to a line, the product of that component of the force which is perpendicular to the plane passing through the line and the point of application of the force, into the shortest distance between the line and this point. (c) With respect to a plane that is parallel to the force, the product of the force into the perpendicular distance of its point of application from the plane. Muting -The deactivation of a presence-sensing safeguarding device during a portion of the robot cycle. Nanotechnology (Molecular Manufacturing ) - A branch of engineering that deals with the design and manufacture of extremely small electronic circuits and mechanical devices built at the molecular level of matter. Normalize
- Scaling a number of factors so that they will be of similar
magnitudes. Optimization - Calculating the independent variables in a function so as to generate the best function value for a given set of conditions. Optimization usually involves maximizing or minimizing a function. Off-Line Programming - A means of programming a robot by developing a set of instructions on an independent computer and then using the software to control the robot at a later date. On-Line Programming - A means of programming a robot on a computer that directly controls the robot. The programming is performed in real time. Operating Envelope Space - That portion of the restricted envelope (space) that is actually used by the robot while performing its programmed motions. Operator - The person designated to start, monitor, and stop the intended productive operation of a robot or robot system. An operator may also interface with a robot for productive purposes. Palletizing - The process of placing parts in different positions on a pallet. Parallel Robot – Robot whose arms have concurrent prismatic or rotary joints.Pendant - Any portable control device, including teach pendants, that permits an operator to control the robot from within the restricted envelope (space) of the robot. Performance criteria - Measures based on kinematic and dynamic models of the robot useful for evaluating the state of the robot. Pick
and Place Robot - A simple category of robot used to
pick parts and place them down somewhere else. Point-To-Point
Motion
- A type of robot motion in which a limited number of points along a
path of motion is specified by the controller, and the robot moves from
point to point rather than in a continuous, smooth path. Positional Assembly - A technique that has been suggested as a means to build objects, devices, and systems on a molecular scale using automated processes in which the components that carry out the construction process would follow programmed paths. Presence-Sensing Safeguarding Device - A device designed, constructed, and installed to create a sensing field or area to detect an intrusion into the field or area by personnel, robots, or other objects. Productivity
- The amount of output created produced per unit input
used. Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) - A small computer used for automation of real-world processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines. Pseudoinverse - A simple method of inverting a matrix that is not square. As commonly applied to redundant robots, the pseudoinverse minimizes the two-norm of the joint speeds. Reach -
The maximum distance from the centre line of the robot to the end of
its tool mounting plate. Reliability - The percentage of time during which the robot can be expected to be in normal operation. This is also known as the "up time" of the robot. Remanufacture - To upgrade or modify robots to the revised specifications of the manufacturer and applicable industry standards. Remote
Compliance Centre (RCC) - Any
compliance structure has a centre of compliance. If
you were to push
at this centre you would have a pure lateral motion (no
rotation). If
you were to rotate this centre, you would have rotation with no lateral
motion. A remote compliance centre is a compliance centre
projected
outward from the device. Remote compliance centres decouple
lateral and
angular motion. A RCC device can be used in assembly to ease
the
insertion force. When a project compliance centre is near the
insertion point of a peg-in-hole type assembly, the peg translates into
the hole when it strikes the outside lead-in chamfer without
rotating. This translation without rotation prevents the
jamming seen
from compliance devices that have a compliance centre far away from the
insertion point. Restricted Envelope Space - That portion of the maximum envelope to which a robot is restricted by limiting devices. The maximum distance that the robot can travel after the limiting device is actuated defines the boundaries of the restricted envelope (space) of the robot. Robot - A machine designed to execute one or more tasks repeatedly, with speed and precision. Robot
Manufacturer
- A company or business involved in the design, the fabrication, or the
sale of robots, robot tooling, robotic peripheral equipment or
controls, and associated process ancillary equipment. (Common
Misspellings: robot manufacterur, robot manufacturor, robot
manufacterur, robot manufacterer) Robotic Deburring Tool - Deburring tool, air or electrically driven, with compliance and a method to mount to a robot wrist. Deburring tools can also be mounted to a bench or fixture, with parts brought to the unit to be deburred. Robotic Rotary Joint - Device used to keep electrical and pneumatic cables on a robot stationary while the tool rotates. A Rotary Joint has two halves: a stationary half that is mounted on a robot arm, and a rotating half that mounts to the robot wrist and tool. Slip ring technology is used to pass electrical signals. Also known as robotic rotary union or robot slip ring. Robotic Self-Motion - The robot's ability to move its intermediate links while holding the placement of the end-effector constant. Robotic Tool Changer - Component with two mating parts (master and tool) that have been designed to lock together automatically (normally using pneumatic pressure) and are able to pass utilities (e.g. electrical signals, pneumatic supply, water, etc.). The master side of the tool changer mounts to a robot or other structure. The tool side of the tool changer mounts to tooling, such as grippers, welders or deburring tools. A robotic tool changer is also known as an automatic tool changer, robot tool changer, robot coupler, robotic coupler or robotic connector. Rotational Motion- A degree of freedom that defines motion of rotation about an axis. Safeguard
- A barrier guard, device, or safety procedure
designed for the protection of personnel. Scale - Changing magnitude by linear operation, i.e. multiplying by a scalar. SCARA Robot – Robot which has two parallel rotary joints to provide compliance in a plane. Self-Assembly - A branch of nanotechnology in which objects, devices and systems form structures without external prodding. Self-Replication - Process in which devices whose diameters are of atomic scale, on the order of nanometers, create copies of themselves.Sensor - A device that responds to physical stimuli (such as heat, light, sound, pressure, magnetism, motion, etc.) and transmits the resulting signal or data for providing a measurement, operating a control, or both. Serial robot - A serial robot is a single chain of joints connected by links. Service - To adjust, repair, maintain, and make fit for use. Shoulder - The manipulator arm link joint that is attached to the base. Simulation - The process of imitating a real phenomenon with a set of mathematical formulas. Single
Point of Control
- The ability to operate the robot such that initiation or robot motion
from one source of control is possible only from that source and cannot
be overridden from another source. Slow Speed Control - A mode of robot motion control where the velocity of the robot is limited to allow persons sufficient time either to withdraw the hazardous motion or stop the robot. Software - A computer program which provides the instructions to enable the computer hardware to work. Solenoid- An electrical coil with an iron section inside that will pull or push when current goes through the coil. Spherical Robot – Robot whose axes form polar coordinate systems.Start-up
- Routine application of drive power to the robot
or robot system. Swing - The rotation about the centre line of the robot. Teach
- The generation and storage of a series of positional data points
affected by moving the robot arm through a path of intended motions. Test Automation - The use of software to control the execution of tests, the comparison of actual outcomes to predicted outcomes, the setting up of test preconditions and other test control and test reporting functions. Tool Center Point (TCP) - The origin of the tool coordinate system. Trigger Point - The exact point at which a component will change from one state to another. Turnkey or Turnkey Project - a project in which a separate entity is responsible for setting up a plant or equipment and putting it into operation. (Common misspellings: turn-key, turn-key project) Two-norm
- The square root of the sum of the squares. The magnitude of a vector. Vertical Stroke - The amount of vertical motion of a robot arm from one elevation to the other. VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) - the creation of a large number of components on a single chip. Work Cell - A group of machines all working together on a common part and physically located together. Work Envelope - The area in which a robot can work, the limits to its motions. Work
in Progress - An accounting term used to express the
value of material taken up continuously by the work process. Work Station- A stationary position where work is performed, the work piece moving to the station. Wrist - The manipulator arm joint to which an end effecter is attached. XYZ Coordinates - A reference to the most common names given to the lines forming a Cartesian solid. Glossary of Robotic Terminology Acceleration-level - Mathematical formulations working with the change in joint speeds with respect to time. Integrating accelerations twice provides displacements. See position-level and velocity-level. Accuracy - The ability of a robot to reach a given point in space repeatedly and how far off it will be in the worst case. Actuator - A power mechanism used to effect motion of the robot; a device that converts electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic energy into robot motion. (Common Misspellings: actuater, actuattor) Algorithm - A set of procedures used to solve a problem. Analytical Methods - Purely mathematical methods that do not require iteration. Application
Program -
The set of instructions that defines the specific intended tasks of
robots and robot systems. This program may be originated and modified
by the robot user. Automatic
Mode -The robot state in which automatic operation can
be initiated. Automation Solutions - The techniques and equipment used to achieve automatic operation or control. Autonomous - Operating independently without pre-programmed behaviors and without supervision from humans. (Common Misspellings: autonomus, autonomos) Axis - The line about which a rotating body (such as a tool) turns. Ball Screw - A device for transforming rotary motion to linear, or vice versa, incorporating a threaded rod portion and a nut consisting of a cage holding many ball bearings. Barrier - A physical means of separating persons from the restricted envelope (space). Base - The platform which supports the manipulator arm. Biomimetic - Mimicking life or natural biological systems. Business Process Automation (BPA) - The process of integrating enterprise applications, reducing human intervention wherever possible, and assembling software services into end-to-end process flows. Cam - A rotating part which, due to its eccentric center line, causes an in-and-out motion in any part pushing against it. Cartesian Robot/Gantry Robot – Robot whose arm has three prismatic joints, whose axes are coincident with a Cartesian coordinator. Chassis - The part of a motor vehicle that includes the engine, the frame suspension system, wheels, steering mechanism etc. but not the body. Closed-form - A problem formulation that does not require iteration for its solution. Collision Sensor - Robotic end effector or device that can detect a crash before or during a collision of the robot or its tool. Collision sensors send a signal back to the robot controller before or during a collision to have the robot avoid the collision or stop before or during a collision. Robotic crash protection devices are collision sensors that detect the collision during the crash. A collision sensor is also know as a robot safety joint, robot overload protection device, crash protection device, robot safety mount, robotic clutch and robotic collision protector. Compensator - Remote compliance center device using three to twelve elastomeric shear pads to aid in the insertion of peg-in-hole applications. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) - The use of a computer to assist in the design of a product or manufacturing system. Computer-Aided
Manufacturing ( CAM) - The use of a computer to assist
in the manufacturing process. Control
Device
- Any piece of control hardware providing a means for human
intervention in the control of a robot or robot system, such as an
emergency-stop button, a start button, or a selector switch. Degrees of freedom - The number of independent variables in the system. Each joint in a serial robot represents a degree of freedom. Device
- Any piece of control hardware such as an emergency-stop button,
selector switch, control pendant, relay, solenoid valve, sensor, etc. Digital Computer - A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities represented as digits, usually in the binary number system. Direct
Numerical Control (DNC) - The use of a computer for
providing data inputs to several remote numerically controlled machine
tools. Drive Power - The energy source or sources for the robot actuators. Dynamics
- The study of energy or forces that cause motion. Emergency
Stop
- The operation of a circuit using hardware-based components that
overrides all other robot controls, removes drive power from the robot
actuators, and causes all moving parts to stop. End-effector
-The robot's last link. The robot uses the end-effector to accomplish a
task. The end-effector may be holding a tool, or the end-effector
itself may be a tool. The end-effector is loosely comparable to a
human's hand. Examples may include gripper, spot-weld guns, arc-weld
guns, spray- paint guns, or any other application tools. (Common
Misspellings: end-effecter, end-affector, end-affecter) End-Of-Arm Tooling - Virtually anything that is placed on the end of a robot arm. Energy
Source - Any electrical, mechanical, hydraulic,
pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other source. Exponential Assembly - A form of self-replication in which tiny devices called nanorobots repeatedly construct copies of themselves. Factory Automation – Automation of a manufacturing environment or assembly line. Feedback - a signal from the robot equipment about conditions as they really exist, rather than as the computer has directed them to exist. Fixed Automation (Hard Automation) - Automated, electronically controlled system for simple, straight or circular motion. These systems are mainly used for large production runs where little flexibility is required. Flexibility - The ability of a robot to perform a variety of different tasks. Flexible
Automation - Designing and building of custom dedicated
automated systems. Hazard
- A situation that is likely to cause physical harm. Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) (or, alternatively, computer-human interaction) - the study of interaction between people (users) and computers. Hybrid - A robot that is part pick and place and part servo controlled, or has the same abilities. Industrial
Equipment
- Physical apparatus used to perform industrial tasks, such as welders,
conveyors, machine tools, fork trucks, turn tables, positioning tables
or robots. Industrial Robot - An automatically controlled, reprogrammable, multipurpose manipulator programmable in three or more axes. The field of industrial robotics may be more practically defined as the study, design and use of robot systems for manufacturing. (Common Misspellings include: industrail robot, industrail robots, industry robot, industryial robot) Industrial Robotics - The study, design and use of robot systems for manufacturing. Industrial Robot System - A system that includes industrial robots, the end-effectors, and the devices and sensors required for the robots to be taught or programmed, or for the robots to perform the intended automatic operations, as well as the communication interfaces required for interlocking, sequencing, or monitoring the robots. Inequality Constraint - A restriction that limits the value of a dependent or independent variable. Inequality constraints limit the robot's joint travels (joint limits), joint speeds (speed limits) and torques (torque limits). Interface - A boundary between the robot and machines, transfer lines, or parts outside immediate environment. The root must communicate with these items through input/output signals provided by sensors. Interlock
- An arrangement whereby the operation of one control or mechanism
brings about or prevents the operation of another. Integrator
– Company that combines and coordinates
separate parts or elements into a unified whole using mechanical means.
(Common misspellings include:
Integrater,Integreater, integreator, integratour) Joint
Motion - A method for coordinating the movement of the
joints such that all joints arrive at the desired location
simultaneously. Jointed Arm Robot - A robot whose arm consists of two links connected by "elbow" and "shoulder" joints to provide three rational motions. This robot most closely resembles a human arm. Kinematics
- The study of motion without regards to the forces that cause those
motions Limiting
Device
- A device that restricts the maximum envelope (space) by stopping or
causing to stop all robot motion and is independent of the control
program and the application programs. Maintenance - The act of keeping the robots and robot systems in their proper operating condition. Manipulator - The mechanical arm mechanism, consisting of a series of links and joints, which accomplishes the motion of an object through space. Maximum
Envelope Space -
The volume of space encompassing the maximum designed movements of all
robot parts including the end-effector, workpiece, and attachments. Mechanization - Introducing the use of machines to a production process. Mobile Robot - A self-propelled and self-contained robot that is capable of moving over a mechanically unconstrained course. Moment - (Mech.) (a) With respect to a point, the product of the intensity of the force into the perpendicular distance from the point to the line of direction of the force. (b) With respect to a line, the product of that component of the force which is perpendicular to the plane passing through the line and the point of application of the force, into the shortest distance between the line and this point. (c) With respect to a plane that is parallel to the force, the product of the force into the perpendicular distance of its point of application from the plane. Muting -The deactivation of a presence-sensing safeguarding device during a portion of the robot cycle. Nanotechnology (Molecular Manufacturing ) - A branch of engineering that deals with the design and manufacture of extremely small electronic circuits and mechanical devices built at the molecular level of matter. Normalize
- Scaling a number of factors so that they will be of similar
magnitudes. Optimization - Calculating the independent variables in a function so as to generate the best function value for a given set of conditions. Optimization usually involves maximizing or minimizing a function. Off-Line Programming - A means of programming a robot by developing a set of instructions on an independent computer and then using the software to control the robot at a later date. On-Line Programming - A means of programming a robot on a computer that directly controls the robot. The programming is performed in real time. Operating Envelope Space - That portion of the restricted envelope (space) that is actually used by the robot while performing its programmed motions. Operator - The person designated to start, monitor, and stop the intended productive operation of a robot or robot system. An operator may also interface with a robot for productive purposes. Palletizing - The process of placing parts in different positions on a pallet. Parallel Robot – Robot whose arms have concurrent prismatic or rotary joints.Pendant - Any portable control device, including teach pendants, that permits an operator to control the robot from within the restricted envelope (space) of the robot. Performance criteria - Measures based on kinematic and dynamic models of the robot useful for evaluating the state of the robot. Pick
and Place Robot - A simple category of robot used to
pick parts and place them down somewhere else. Point-To-Point
Motion
- A type of robot motion in which a limited number of points along a
path of motion is specified by the controller, and the robot moves from
point to point rather than in a continuous, smooth path. Positional Assembly - A technique that has been suggested as a means to build objects, devices, and systems on a molecular scale using automated processes in which the components that carry out the construction process would follow programmed paths. Presence-Sensing Safeguarding Device - A device designed, constructed, and installed to create a sensing field or area to detect an intrusion into the field or area by personnel, robots, or other objects. Productivity
- The amount of output created produced per unit input
used. Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) - A small computer used for automation of real-world processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines. Pseudoinverse - A simple method of inverting a matrix that is not square. As commonly applied to redundant robots, the pseudoinverse minimizes the two-norm of the joint speeds. Reach -
The maximum distance from the centre line of the robot to the end of
its tool mounting plate. Reliability - The percentage of time during which the robot can be expected to be in normal operation. This is also known as the "up time" of the robot. Remanufacture - To upgrade or modify robots to the revised specifications of the manufacturer and applicable industry standards. Remote
Compliance Centre (RCC) - Any
compliance structure has a centre of compliance. If
you were to push
at this centre you would have a pure lateral motion (no
rotation). If
you were to rotate this centre, you would have rotation with no lateral
motion. A remote compliance centre is a compliance centre
projected
outward from the device. Remote compliance centres decouple
lateral and
angular motion. A RCC device can be used in assembly to ease
the
insertion force. When a project compliance centre is near the
insertion point of a peg-in-hole type assembly, the peg translates into
the hole when it strikes the outside lead-in chamfer without
rotating. This translation without rotation prevents the
jamming seen
from compliance devices that have a compliance centre far away from the
insertion point. Restricted Envelope Space - That portion of the maximum envelope to which a robot is restricted by limiting devices. The maximum distance that the robot can travel after the limiting device is actuated defines the boundaries of the restricted envelope (space) of the robot. Robot - A machine designed to execute one or more tasks repeatedly, with speed and precision. Robot
Manufacturer
- A company or business involved in the design, the fabrication, or the
sale of robots, robot tooling, robotic peripheral equipment or
controls, and associated process ancillary equipment. (Common
Misspellings: robot manufacterur, robot manufacturor, robot
manufacterur, robot manufacterer) Robotic Deburring Tool - Deburring tool, air or electrically driven, with compliance and a method to mount to a robot wrist. Deburring tools can also be mounted to a bench or fixture, with parts brought to the unit to be deburred. Robotic Rotary Joint - Device used to keep electrical and pneumatic cables on a robot stationary while the tool rotates. A Rotary Joint has two halves: a stationary half that is mounted on a robot arm, and a rotating half that mounts to the robot wrist and tool. Slip ring technology is used to pass electrical signals. Also known as robotic rotary union or robot slip ring. Robotic Self-Motion - The robot's ability to move its intermediate links while holding the placement of the end-effector constant. Robotic Tool Changer - Component with two mating parts (master and tool) that have been designed to lock together automatically (normally using pneumatic pressure) and are able to pass utilities (e.g. electrical signals, pneumatic supply, water, etc.). The master side of the tool changer mounts to a robot or other structure. The tool side of the tool changer mounts to tooling, such as grippers, welders or deburring tools. A robotic tool changer is also known as an automatic tool changer, robot tool changer, robot coupler, robotic coupler or robotic connector. Rotational Motion- A degree of freedom that defines motion of rotation about an axis. Safeguard
- A barrier guard, device, or safety procedure
designed for the protection of personnel. Scale - Changing magnitude by linear operation, i.e. multiplying by a scalar. SCARA Robot – Robot which has two parallel rotary joints to provide compliance in a plane. Self-Assembly - A branch of nanotechnology in which objects, devices and systems form structures without external prodding. Self-Replication - Process in which devices whose diameters are of atomic scale, on the order of nanometers, create copies of themselves.Sensor - A device that responds to physical stimuli (such as heat, light, sound, pressure, magnetism, motion, etc.) and transmits the resulting signal or data for providing a measurement, operating a control, or both. Serial robot - A serial robot is a single chain of joints connected by links. Service - To adjust, repair, maintain, and make fit for use. Shoulder - The manipulator arm link joint that is attached to the base. Simulation - The process of imitating a real phenomenon with a set of mathematical formulas. Single
Point of Control
- The ability to operate the robot such that initiation or robot motion
from one source of control is possible only from that source and cannot
be overridden from another source. Slow Speed Control - A mode of robot motion control where the velocity of the robot is limited to allow persons sufficient time either to withdraw the hazardous motion or stop the robot. Software - A computer program which provides the instructions to enable the computer hardware to work. Solenoid- An electrical coil with an iron section inside that will pull or push when current goes through the coil. Spherical Robot – Robot whose axes form polar coordinate systems.Start-up
- Routine application of drive power to the robot
or robot system. Swing - The rotation about the centre line of the robot. Teach
- The generation and storage of a series of positional data points
affected by moving the robot arm through a path of intended motions. Test Automation - The use of software to control the execution of tests, the comparison of actual outcomes to predicted outcomes, the setting up of test preconditions and other test control and test reporting functions. Tool Center Point (TCP) - The origin of the tool coordinate system. Trigger Point - The exact point at which a component will change from one state to another. Turnkey or Turnkey Project - a project in which a separate entity is responsible for setting up a plant or equipment and putting it into operation. (Common misspellings: turn-key, turn-key project) Two-norm
- The square root of the sum of the squares. The magnitude of a vector. Vertical Stroke - The amount of vertical motion of a robot arm from one elevation to the other. VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) - the creation of a large number of components on a single chip. Work Cell - A group of machines all working together on a common part and physically located together. Work Envelope - The area in which a robot can work, the limits to its motions. Work
in Progress - An accounting term used to express the
value of material taken up continuously by the work process. Work Station- A stationary position where work is performed, the work piece moving to the station. Wrist - The manipulator arm joint to which an end effecter is attached. XYZ Coordinates - A reference to the most common names given to the lines forming a Cartesian solid. Glossary of Robotic Terminology Acceleration-level - Mathematical formulations working with the change in joint speeds with respect to time. Integrating accelerations twice provides displacements. See position-level and velocity-level. Accuracy - The ability of a robot to reach a given point in space repeatedly and how far off it will be in the worst case. Actuator - A power mechanism used to effect motion of the robot; a device that converts electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic energy into robot motion. (Common Misspellings: actuater, actuattor) Algorithm - A set of procedures used to solve a problem. Analytical Methods - Purely mathematical methods that do not require iteration. Application
Program -
The set of instructions that defines the specific intended tasks of
robots and robot systems. This program may be originated and modified
by the robot user. Automatic
Mode -The robot state in which automatic operation can
be initiated. Automation Solutions - The techniques and equipment used to achieve automatic operation or control. Autonomous - Operating independently without pre-programmed behaviors and without supervision from humans. (Common Misspellings: autonomus, autonomos) Axis - The line about which a rotating body (such as a tool) turns. Ball Screw - A device for transforming rotary motion to linear, or vice versa, incorporating a threaded rod portion and a nut consisting of a cage holding many ball bearings. Barrier - A physical means of separating persons from the restricted envelope (space). Base - The platform which supports the manipulator arm. Biomimetic - Mimicking life or natural biological systems. Business Process Automation (BPA) - The process of integrating enterprise applications, reducing human intervention wherever possible, and assembling software services into end-to-end process flows. Cam - A rotating part which, due to its eccentric center line, causes an in-and-out motion in any part pushing against it. Cartesian Robot/Gantry Robot – Robot whose arm has three prismatic joints, whose axes are coincident with a Cartesian coordinator. Chassis - The part of a motor vehicle that includes the engine, the frame suspension system, wheels, steering mechanism etc. but not the body. Closed-form - A problem formulation that does not require iteration for its solution. Collision Sensor - Robotic end effector or device that can detect a crash before or during a collision of the robot or its tool. Collision sensors send a signal back to the robot controller before or during a collision to have the robot avoid the collision or stop before or during a collision. Robotic crash protection devices are collision sensors that detect the collision during the crash. A collision sensor is also know as a robot safety joint, robot overload protection device, crash protection device, robot safety mount, robotic clutch and robotic collision protector. Compensator - Remote compliance center device using three to twelve elastomeric shear pads to aid in the insertion of peg-in-hole applications. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) - The use of a computer to assist in the design of a product or manufacturing system. Computer-Aided
Manufacturing ( CAM) - The use of a computer to assist
in the manufacturing process. Control
Device
- Any piece of control hardware providing a means for human
intervention in the control of a robot or robot system, such as an
emergency-stop button, a start button, or a selector switch. Degrees of freedom - The number of independent variables in the system. Each joint in a serial robot represents a degree of freedom. Device
- Any piece of control hardware such as an emergency-stop button,
selector switch, control pendant, relay, solenoid valve, sensor, etc. Digital Computer - A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities represented as digits, usually in the binary number system. Direct
Numerical Control (DNC) - The use of a computer for
providing data inputs to several remote numerically controlled machine
tools. Drive Power - The energy source or sources for the robot actuators. Dynamics
- The study of energy or forces that cause motion. Emergency
Stop
- The operation of a circuit using hardware-based components that
overrides all other robot controls, removes drive power from the robot
actuators, and causes all moving parts to stop. End-effector
-The robot's last link. The robot uses the end-effector to accomplish a
task. The end-effector may be holding a tool, or the end-effector
itself may be a tool. The end-effector is loosely comparable to a
human's hand. Examples may include gripper, spot-weld guns, arc-weld
guns, spray- paint guns, or any other application tools. (Common
Misspellings: end-effecter, end-affector, end-affecter) End-Of-Arm Tooling - Virtually anything that is placed on the end of a robot arm. Energy
Source - Any electrical, mechanical, hydraulic,
pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other source. Exponential Assembly - A form of self-replication in which tiny devices called nanorobots repeatedly construct copies of themselves. Factory Automation – Automation of a manufacturing environment or assembly line. Feedback - a signal from the robot equipment about conditions as they really exist, rather than as the computer has directed them to exist. Fixed Automation (Hard Automation) - Automated, electronically controlled system for simple, straight or circular motion. These systems are mainly used for large production runs where little flexibility is required. Flexibility - The ability of a robot to perform a variety of different tasks. Flexible
Automation - Designing and building of custom dedicated
automated systems. Hazard
- A situation that is likely to cause physical harm. Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) (or, alternatively, computer-human interaction) - the study of interaction between people (users) and computers. Hybrid - A robot that is part pick and place and part servo controlled, or has the same abilities. Industrial
Equipment
- Physical apparatus used to perform industrial tasks, such as welders,
conveyors, machine tools, fork trucks, turn tables, positioning tables
or robots. Industrial Robot - An automatically controlled, reprogrammable, multipurpose manipulator programmable in three or more axes. The field of industrial robotics may be more practically defined as the study, design and use of robot systems for manufacturing. (Common Misspellings include: industrail robot, industrail robots, industry robot, industryial robot) Industrial Robotics - The study, design and use of robot systems for manufacturing. Industrial Robot System - A system that includes industrial robots, the end-effectors, and the devices and sensors required for the robots to be taught or programmed, or for the robots to perform the intended automatic operations, as well as the communication interfaces required for interlocking, sequencing, or monitoring the robots. Inequality Constraint - A restriction that limits the value of a dependent or independent variable. Inequality constraints limit the robot's joint travels (joint limits), joint speeds (speed limits) and torques (torque limits). Interface - A boundary between the robot and machines, transfer lines, or parts outside immediate environment. The root must communicate with these items through input/output signals provided by sensors. Interlock
- An arrangement whereby the operation of one control or mechanism
brings about or prevents the operation of another. Integrator
– Company that combines and coordinates
separate parts or elements into a unified whole using mechanical means.
(Common misspellings include:
Integrater,Integreater, integreator, integratour) Joint
Motion - A method for coordinating the movement of the
joints such that all joints arrive at the desired location
simultaneously. Jointed Arm Robot - A robot whose arm consists of two links connected by "elbow" and "shoulder" joints to provide three rational motions. This robot most closely resembles a human arm. Kinematics
- The study of motion without regards to the forces that cause those
motions Limiting
Device
- A device that restricts the maximum envelope (space) by stopping or
causing to stop all robot motion and is independent of the control
program and the application programs. Maintenance - The act of keeping the robots and robot systems in their proper operating condition. Manipulator - The mechanical arm mechanism, consisting of a series of links and joints, which accomplishes the motion of an object through space. Maximum
Envelope Space -
The volume of space encompassing the maximum designed movements of all
robot parts including the end-effector, workpiece, and attachments. Mechanization - Introducing the use of machines to a production process. Mobile Robot - A self-propelled and self-contained robot that is capable of moving over a mechanically unconstrained course. Moment - (Mech.) (a) With respect to a point, the product of the intensity of the force into the perpendicular distance from the point to the line of direction of the force. (b) With respect to a line, the product of that component of the force which is perpendicular to the plane passing through the line and the point of application of the force, into the shortest distance between the line and this point. (c) With respect to a plane that is parallel to the force, the product of the force into the perpendicular distance of its point of application from the plane. Muting -The deactivation of a presence-sensing safeguarding device during a portion of the robot cycle. Nanotechnology (Molecular Manufacturing ) - A branch of engineering that deals with the design and manufacture of extremely small electronic circuits and mechanical devices built at the molecular level of matter. Normalize
- Scaling a number of factors so that they will be of similar
magnitudes. Optimization - Calculating the independent variables in a function so as to generate the best function value for a given set of conditions. Optimization usually involves maximizing or minimizing a function. Off-Line Programming - A means of programming a robot by developing a set of instructions on an independent computer and then using the software to control the robot at a later date. On-Line Programming - A means of programming a robot on a computer that directly controls the robot. The programming is performed in real time. Operating Envelope Space - That portion of the restricted envelope (space) that is actually used by the robot while performing its programmed motions. Operator - The person designated to start, monitor, and stop the intended productive operation of a robot or robot system. An operator may also interface with a robot for productive purposes. Palletizing - The process of placing parts in different positions on a pallet. Parallel Robot – Robot whose arms have concurrent prismatic or rotary joints.Pendant - Any portable control device, including teach pendants, that permits an operator to control the robot from within the restricted envelope (space) of the robot. Performance criteria - Measures based on kinematic and dynamic models of the robot useful for evaluating the state of the robot. Pick
and Place Robot - A simple category of robot used to
pick parts and place them down somewhere else. Point-To-Point
Motion
- A type of robot motion in which a limited number of points along a
path of motion is specified by the controller, and the robot moves from
point to point rather than in a continuous, smooth path. Positional Assembly - A technique that has been suggested as a means to build objects, devices, and systems on a molecular scale using automated processes in which the components that carry out the construction process would follow programmed paths. Presence-Sensing Safeguarding Device - A device designed, constructed, and installed to create a sensing field or area to detect an intrusion into the field or area by personnel, robots, or other objects. Productivity
- The amount of output created produced per unit input
used. Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) - A small computer used for automation of real-world processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines. Pseudoinverse - A simple method of inverting a matrix that is not square. As commonly applied to redundant robots, the pseudoinverse minimizes the two-norm of the joint speeds. Reach -
The maximum distance from the centre line of the robot to the end of
its tool mounting plate. Reliability - The percentage of time during which the robot can be expected to be in normal operation. This is also known as the "up time" of the robot. Remanufacture - To upgrade or modify robots to the revised specifications of the manufacturer and applicable industry standards. Remote
Compliance Centre (RCC) - Any
compliance structure has a centre of compliance. If
you were to push
at this centre you would have a pure lateral motion (no
rotation). If
you were to rotate this centre, you would have rotation with no lateral
motion. A remote compliance centre is a compliance centre
projected
outward from the device. Remote compliance centres decouple
lateral and
angular motion. A RCC device can be used in assembly to ease
the
insertion force. When a project compliance centre is near the
insertion point of a peg-in-hole type assembly, the peg translates into
the hole when it strikes the outside lead-in chamfer without
rotating. This translation without rotation prevents the
jamming seen
from compliance devices that have a compliance centre far away from the
insertion point. Restricted Envelope Space - That portion of the maximum envelope to which a robot is restricted by limiting devices. The maximum distance that the robot can travel after the limiting device is actuated defines the boundaries of the restricted envelope (space) of the robot. Robot - A machine designed to execute one or more tasks repeatedly, with speed and precision. Robot
Manufacturer
- A company or business involved in the design, the fabrication, or the
sale of robots, robot tooling, robotic peripheral equipment or
controls, and associated process ancillary equipment. (Common
Misspellings: robot manufacterur, robot manufacturor, robot
manufacterur, robot manufacterer) Robotic Deburring Tool - Deburring tool, air or electrically driven, with compliance and a method to mount to a robot wrist. Deburring tools can also be mounted to a bench or fixture, with parts brought to the unit to be deburred. Robotic Rotary Joint - Device used to keep electrical and pneumatic cables on a robot stationary while the tool rotates. A Rotary Joint has two halves: a stationary half that is mounted on a robot arm, and a rotating half that mounts to the robot wrist and tool. Slip ring technology is used to pass electrical signals. Also known as robotic rotary union or robot slip ring. Robotic Self-Motion - The robot's ability to move its intermediate links while holding the placement of the end-effector constant. Robotic Tool Changer - Component with two mating parts (master and tool) that have been designed to lock together automatically (normally using pneumatic pressure) and are able to pass utilities (e.g. electrical signals, pneumatic supply, water, etc.). The master side of the tool changer mounts to a robot or other structure. The tool side of the tool changer mounts to tooling, such as grippers, welders or deburring tools. A robotic tool changer is also known as an automatic tool changer, robot tool changer, robot coupler, robotic coupler or robotic connector. Rotational Motion- A degree of freedom that defines motion of rotation about an axis. Safeguard
- A barrier guard, device, or safety procedure
designed for the protection of personnel. Scale - Changing magnitude by linear operation, i.e. multiplying by a scalar. SCARA Robot – Robot which has two parallel rotary joints to provide compliance in a plane. Self-Assembly - A branch of nanotechnology in which objects, devices and systems form structures without external prodding. Self-Replication - Process in which devices whose diameters are of atomic scale, on the order of nanometers, create copies of themselves.Sensor - A device that responds to physical stimuli (such as heat, light, sound, pressure, magnetism, motion, etc.) and transmits the resulting signal or data for providing a measurement, operating a control, or both. Serial robot - A serial robot is a single chain of joints connected by links. Service - To adjust, repair, maintain, and make fit for use. Shoulder - The manipulator arm link joint that is attached to the base. Simulation - The process of imitating a real phenomenon with a set of mathematical formulas. Single
Point of Control
- The ability to operate the robot such that initiation or robot motion
from one source of control is possible only from that source and cannot
be overridden from another source. Slow Speed Control - A mode of robot motion control where the velocity of the robot is limited to allow persons sufficient time either to withdraw the hazardous motion or stop the robot. Software - A computer program which provides the instructions to enable the computer hardware to work. Solenoid- An electrical coil with an iron section inside that will pull or push when current goes through the coil. Spherical Robot – Robot whose axes form polar coordinate systems.Start-up
- Routine application of drive power to the robot
or robot system. Swing - The rotation about the centre line of the robot. Teach
- The generation and storage of a series of positional data points
affected by moving the robot arm through a path of intended motions. Test Automation - The use of software to control the execution of tests, the comparison of actual outcomes to predicted outcomes, the setting up of test preconditions and other test control and test reporting functions. Tool Center Point (TCP) - The origin of the tool coordinate system. Trigger Point - The exact point at which a component will change from one state to another. Turnkey or Turnkey Project - a project in which a separate entity is responsible for setting up a plant or equipment and putting it into operation. (Common misspellings: turn-key, turn-key project) Two-norm
- The square root of the sum of the squares. The magnitude of a vector. Vertical Stroke - The amount of vertical motion of a robot arm from one elevation to the other. VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) - the creation of a large number of components on a single chip. Work Cell - A group of machines all working together on a common part and physically located together. Work Envelope - The area in which a robot can work, the limits to its motions. Work
in Progress - An accounting term used to express the
value of material taken up continuously by the work process. Work Station- A stationary position where work is performed, the work piece moving to the station. Wrist - The manipulator arm joint to which an end effecter is attached. XYZ
Coordinates - A reference to the most common names
given to the lines forming a Cartesian solid. |
Robotics Exchange © 2008 | ||
| Contact Us | |