What’s are Robot Servo Motors ?
A Robot Servo System which also stands for a specialized “Servo-Mechanism” is used for high precision control of linear or angular position, acceleration & velocity. It mainly is comprised of a Digitally controlled Special Motor coupled with a sensor for Motor Setting & orientation which is then controlled in real-time by a Servo Motor Controller/Drive/PLC.
Digital Servo Motors are widely used in CNC machinery, Robotics and Automated Manufacturing. Servo Motors are of three types. AC motors, DC motors & Stepper Motors depending on the work requirements and specific Robotic Applications.
A Robot Servo Motor is composed of different internal parts that work together in a specialized pattern. These components are:
Motor,
Position Feedback Sensor,
Gearbox or Gear Reduction System,
Control Circuit,
Output Shaft,
Casing or Housing,
Power Supply,
Connectors.
Robotic Servo Motors work on closed-loop control Mechanism i.e., they continually receive Motion feedback for their performance in real-time. Here’s a basic knowledge about how they work:
Input: The process starts when the Robotic Servo Motor receives a command signal which is usually a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal. This signal gives the desired position or speed for the Robot Servo Motor.
Signal Processing: The Robotic Servo Motor control circuitry Decodes the command signal. If the received signal is matching a different position than the present position then the Robot Servo Drive will activate the Servo motor.
Servo Motor Movement: The Robotic Servo motor runs until it reaches desired speed or position given by the command signal. This rotation usually moves some external component/component like a “Articulated Robotic Arm”.
Real Time Feedback: While the Robotic Servo Motor is running, a sensor i.e., an encoder or potentiometer is also monitoring its speed & position. The sensor sends a constant feedback signal’s back to the Servo Motor control circuitry showing the Servo Motor’s present state.
Signal Correction: The control circuitry compares the feedback signal with the original command signal. If there’s a discrepancy (meaning the motor hasn’t yet reached the desired position or speed), the circuitry adjusts the motor accordingly. It increases or decreases the power to the motor, making it turn faster or slower.
Continual Adjustment: This process of action, feedback, and correction continues as long as the Robotic Servo Motor operates, thus allowing it to continuously adjust in feedback to changes in the digital signal and other external criteria’s thus resulting in highest reliable and precise control of the Servo motor speed & position control.
2: What is a Servo Motor use in Industrial Robotic Automation ?
One sometimes thinks how an Industrial Robot Arm performs complex & precise tasks easily ? An Industrial Robot most important component is a Servo Motor so that’s what really goes on under the hood when it comes to implement advanced industrial robotics technology.
Robotic Servo Motors are of two main types:
Continuous Rotation
Digital/limited Rotation
Digital/limited rotation is characterized by the rotational speed & range of motion while Continuous rotation Servo Motors can rotate continuously but Digital/limited Rotation have limited angles of movement such as 180 Degrees & 270 Degrees respectively, Depending on the type of Industrial usage one or both Servo Motor types may be used in Industrial robots arm especially in Articulated Robot Arm.
Servo Motors are controlled by a single or more than one Servo Motor Drive/Controller so due to this Servo Motors are best for Industrial robotic Executions as they provide pinpoint accurate speed control & positioning. They have the exact capability to hold their very specific working position without any external additional power thus making them very energy efficient & Reliable in Robotic Industrial Manufacturing.
As Servo Motors can be programmed with latest software from a PLC/Control Cabinet via a gadget called Teach Pendent/Box with variable settings such as acceleration or deceleration rate and maximum torque limits which help in protection against damage due to overload or Heavy industrial Tasks.
The main 5 Types of Industrial Robots are as under,
Cartesian Robot,
SCARA Robot,
Delta Robots,
Collaborative Robots (Cobots) &
Articulated Robots which is widely used in Industrial Manufacturing due to its resemblance to a Human Arm & it has 6 to 10 Axis meaning 6 to 10 Servo Motors.
Articulated Robots due to their unlimited ability of working efficiency, reliability & movement control. With diverse programmable features they are widely used in unlimited Industrial manufacturing process & automation.
3: What is the Future of Servo Motors in Articulated Robotic Manufacturing.
The use of Servo Motor in robotics is becoming increasingly higher day by day as Robotic Technology is advancing very rapidly.
In addition to this Robotic Servo Motors are energy-efficient and highly reliable & durable for Industrial Robotics Applications. This makes them ideal for Robotic Arms movement & provide excellent speed & precision.
Especially the use of Servo Motors in Industrial Articulated Robots is at maximal level due to mechanical advantages. With everyday advancements in Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, it is likely that these Industrial Automation Robots will become even more sophisticated and accurate as time goes on. This means that they can be used for a variety of applications from simple pick-and-place operations to complex assembly tasks. In addition, with the increase in automation, robots are also becoming more affordable & cheap to buy thus making Industrial Robots an increasingly better than the best option both for consumers & businesses.
Below are some more images of Industrial Robotic Servo Motors, their internal Mechanism & Industrial Articulated Robots working on An Automobile Assembly Line.
4: How to Select Robotic Servo Motor for Specific Industrial Manufacturing ?
When selecting the servo motor especially for an Industrial Articulated Robot, it is important to consider these factors.
We should keep in our mind the load capacity of your robotic arm and select a motor that can handle this load.
You should decide on the speed and torque requirements of your robot arm; these details will guide you in selecting a motor with sufficient power.
You need to consider the type of environment in which the arm will be operating; some motors are better suited to certain environments than others.
Reliability is a key when selecting a Servo Motor for use in a robotic arm i.e., choosing one with a reliable track record and good customer reviews is always advised.
5: How many Servo Motors are needed for an Industrial Robot ?
The Total number of Servo Motors needed for a robotic arm depends on the complexity of the arm & it’s Future usage.
Generally 2 to 4 Servo Motors are required for a Simplest Robot while more sophisticated robots require up to 6 or even 10 Servo Motors. More advanced Robots like a fully functional Articulated Robot use custom designed actuators that incorporate multiplex degrees of freedom allowing them to move in an unlimited range of directions & motions.
6: Conclusion.
Servo Motors play a pivotal role in the development of robots arms and other Industrial Automation Machinery. Hence allowing for precise control & positioning, Servo Motors help Robots to perform accurate tasks with least human Physical intervention. Additionally, the use of Servo Motor minimizes the amount of energy needed to move an object or part exactly where it is intended to be moved. So Robotic Servo Motors will continue to be an invaluable tool for Industrial Robot Designers as Future Technology & Robotics become more commonplace in our daily life. With the precision, low power consumption Flexibility capabilities, the Servo Motors are set to be at the heart of Robotic arm technology for the years to come in Future.
