Engineering Notes by Oriental Motor

Example of In-House Production of SCARA Robot (Horizontal Articulated Robot)

[fa icon="calendar"] Apr 27, 2023 6:58:39 PM / by Johann Tang

Johann Tang

In-house production equipment is easier to build than you think.  Here's an example of a 5-axis SCARA robot.

HubSpot Video

 

Overview

This is an in-house SCARA robot that automates work pick-and-place and transport between processes.  It is used in automated production lines for gluing, measuring, and assembly, which were conventionally done manually.  We built a SCARA robot in-house because we needed to realize pick-and-place and transport between processes in a limited space.

 

Device overview
Number of axes 5 axes (3 links + lift + electric gripper)
Robot control Robot controller MRC01
Payload 0.7 kg
Maximum speed 500 mm/s
(maximum speed at gripper tip)
Maximum speed of each axis Axis 1 500 mm/s
Axis 2 500 mm/s
Axis 3 500 mm/s
Axis 4 40 mm/s
Axis 5 156 mm/s (both sides)
Device main power 115 VAC
Drive/control power supply 24 VDC
Mass (SCARA robot part) 4 kg

 

System Configuration

The SCARA robot is controlled by Ethernet/IP from a host controller, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC).  The MRC01 robot controller communicates to all AZ Series drivers via RS-485 communication (Modbus RTU).

 

SCARA robot components

 

Component List

  Product name List price
Axis 1
Hollow rotary actuator DGM85R-AZAK $1,927
Driver (Built-in positioning function type) AZD-KD $485
Flexible connection cable CC030VZR2 $121
DC power cable CC02D010-3 $18
Cable for RS-485 communication CC001-RS4 $32
Axis 2
Hollow rotary actuator DGM60-AZAK $1,075
Driver (Built-in positioning function type) AZD-KD $485
Flexible connection cable CC030VZ2R2 $121
DC power cable CC02D010-3 $18
Cable for RS-485 communication CC001-RS4 $32
Axis 3
αSTEP harmonic geared type AZM24AK-HS50 $948
Driver (Built-in positioning function type) AZD-KD $485
Flexible connection cable CC030VZ2R2 $121
DC power cable CC02D010-3 $18
Cable for RS-485 communication CC001-RS4 $32
Axis 4
Compact cylinder DR28T1A03-AZAKD-F $1,356
Driver (Built-in positioning function type) AZD-KD $485
Flexible connection cable CC030VZ2R2 $121
DC power cable CC02D010-3 $18
Cable for RS-485 communication CC001-RS4 $32
Axis 5
Compact gripper EH3-AZAKH $835
Driver (Built-in positioning function type) AZD-KD $485
Flexible connection cable CC030VZ2R2 $121
DC power cable CC02D010-3 $18
Controller
Robot controller MRC01 $2,530
DC power cable CC02D010-3 $18
Cable for RS-485 communication CC001-RS4 $32
● EtherNet/IP TM is a trademark of ODVA.
● All motor cables are 3m long.
● All DC power cables are 1m long.
● The length of all cables for RS-485 communication is 0.1m.
  Total Cost $11,969

 

Introducing: MRC01 Robot Controller and MRC Studio Programming Software

MRC01 robot controller and MRC Studio software

No ladder logic knowledge required.

 

Easy introduction of in-house robots into existing systems

Linkage between MRC01 and host system is directly controlled by EtherNet/IP. In-house robots can be easily added without making major changes to the control system of existing equipment.

Easy setting even for the first time

The MRC01 can be easily set from initial settings to operation programs without specialized knowledge of programming languages. Initial settings such as selection of robot type and input of mechanism information are easy with a wizard. Targeted commands can be added to the operation program while moving the in-house robot with teaching operations.

When one of our young equipment designers actually used it for the first time, he was able to create a program by teaching in about two hours because it was possible to set multiple axes with a single command.

Operation can be checked with online 3D simulation

It is possible to check the operation program of the in-house robot on the 3D simulator without driving the motor.
A connection with a host PLC is not required for simulation.  You can prevent problems such as "moving in the opposite direction" and "moving too much to damage the robot".

Control of the end effector axis is also possible

It supports vertical articulated robots, SCARA robots, and orthogonal robots, which are typical structures of industrial robots.  The end effector axis can also be controlled by the MRC01, contributing to space-saving, wiring-saving, and cost reduction for the entire system.

Compatible with a wide range of lineups

Compatible with AZ series and electric actuators equipped with them. With a rich product lineup, we contribute to robot design with a high degree of freedom according to the robot type you want to manufacture in-house.

 

 

Learn more about MRC01 and MRC Studio

 

All of the motors, actuators, and drivers controlled by the MRC01 robot controller on the SCARA robot are from the αSTEP AZ Series family.

 

Products equipped with αSTEP AZ series

Achieving sensor reduction and battery-less with a mechanical multi-rotation absolute sensor

With the αSTEP AZ Series technology, external sensors such as the home position can be reduced, contributing to reduced wiring and a compact configuration. Since the mechanical multi-rotation absolute sensor <ABZO sensor> is used, absolute position information is retained even if the power supply is shut off due to an emergency stop or power failure during positioning operation. Since it is mechanical by nature, no battery is required for data retention. There is no need to worry about battery purchase costs, operational troubles, or maintenance intervals. In addition, the AZ series motor itself can be used as a sensor to monitor the robot's status numerically.

 

Mechanical Absolute Encoder
 

● DGⅡ Series Hollow Rotary Actuator (Axis 1, Axis 2)

Suitable for joint shaft Hollow rotary actuator and small geared type

When the SCARA robot grabs a workpiece at the tip of the arm away from axis 1, a large load moment is generated.
The DGII series uses cross-roller bearings for the hollow output table bearings to achieve a high allowable moment. This contributes to expanding the range of motion of the arm.  In addition, hollow holes (through holes) can be used for wiring complicated cables, simplifying robot design.

 

Rotary Actuator Features
mecha-cg07_03_03 mecha-cg07_03_04

 

● αSTEP AZ Series Harmonic Geared Type (Axis 3)

Geared stepper motor with no backlash

Even a small deviation can become large at the tip of the arm, and it may not be possible to grip the workpiece accurately. The harmonic geared type has no backlash, so it suppresses misalignment and achieves accurate operation.

mecha-cg07_03_06

 

● DR Series Compact Cylinder (Axis 4)

Compact and lightweight actuator that reduces the load on the tip of the robot mechanism

The compact body that integrates the αSTEP AZ series and a ball screw contributes to the miniaturization and space-saving of equipment. By reducing the weight of the tip of the device, you can expect to improve the degree of freedom in design.

 

mecha-cg07_03_08

 

 

● EH Series Compact Gripper (Axis 5)

Grip small parts delicately

As the end effector becomes smaller and lighter, the burden on each joint can be reduced, contributing to the size reduction and cost reduction of the entire robot.  The position, gripping time, and gripping force can be freely set with the electric gripper. Various grips can be achieved.

 

mecha-cg07_03_10

 

We support robot design from the product selection stage

Motor sizing and selection

Our dedicated staff will size and select the motor for you. Please download the selection request form, fill in the necessary items, and send it to us.  We can even use materials you have on hand, such as schematic diagrams, image diagrams, and CAD data of the mechanism.

Vertical Articulated Robot SCARA Robot Parallel Link Robot
Vertical articulated robot (5-axis arm) Horizontal articulated robot (SCARA) 3-axis parallel link (delta) robot for pick and place
Size a vertical articulated robot Size a SCARA robot Size a parallel link robot

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Additional support/materials available

We are working to update our website to include additional support for other types of robots and materials for robotics integration. Please ask our team for the most updated information for your specific robot.

We're here if you need help

If help is needed, our technical support engineers and application engineers can respond to various questions regarding motor sizing, motor selection, setup, wiring, and programming.

 

Topics: Stepper Motors, Robotics, Absolute Positioning, Alphastep Hybrid Control, Linear & Rotary Actuators, Motor Sizing, VIDEOS, Software, Network, Application Examples

Johann Tang

Written by Johann Tang

Johann Tang is a Product Specialist at Oriental Motor USA Corp. with over 15 years of experience supporting technical applications of various types of fractional horsepower electric motors, gearheads, actuators, drivers, and controllers; including motor sizing, product selection, technology training, programming, and troubleshooting.

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