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How to Select Robot Positioners for your Application

SELECTING Robot Positioners

Selecting the appropriate robot positioner and components is a pivotal decision for manufacturers seeking enhanced flexibility to elevate weld quality and reduce cycle times. Achieving these goals requires a comprehensive understanding of available positioner options and features. Embracing cutting-edge technologies can significantly streamline operations, save costs, and meet the exact demands of customers.

Each robot positioner is designed with specific capabilities tailored to diverse welding needs and determined based on load capacity, flexibility, speed, and accuracy. Floor turntables excel at rotating parts along a vertical axis, while robotic tilt-rotate positioners and 5-axis positioners are ideal for welding parts at various degree angles. On the other hand, headstocks/tailstocks and H-frame robot positioners specialize in rotating parts along a horizontal axis. The versatility of these positioning systems allows for precise and efficient welding across a wide range of orientations and angles.

When selecting the appropriate robot positioner for your specific needs, identify the tasks the robotic positioner will perform. These may include welding, assembly, riveting, or painting. This analysis will help determine the necessary range of motion, precision, and payload capacity essential for selecting the optimal positioning system for your application. Additionally, evaluate how the positioner integrates with existing robotic systems and software, ensuring compatibility and ease of programming.

The design of your fixtures significantly influences the choice of positioner that best suits your application. Multi-axis positioners excel with complex shapes, offering optimal welding access by rotating the fixture in multiple directions. For long and flat workpieces, single-axis positioners can efficiently provide the required rotation to grant ideal access to the robot.

The amount of space available to integrate your workpiece and positioner can limit your options on what positioner can function in your space constraints. Most positioners are designed to have a small footprint on the shop floor. If this is a concern, you can consider positioners that are vertical, contain risers or provide a lift feature.

The available space for integrating your workpiece and positioner can impose constraints on your options. Fortunately, many positioners are designed with a small footprint, minimizing the impact on the shop floor. If space is a concern, you may explore vertical lift and rotate positioners, those equipped with risers, or featuring a lift function to optimize space utilization such as the lift and rollover robot positioner.

Important Factors to Consider

WEIGHT

The mass the positioner can handle is critical to determining the right positioner that can handle your workpieces efficiently. It must support the weight of the workpiece, along with any fixtures or tools attached to it, without compromising performance. In cases where you may require greater load capacity, consider a dual-positioner or multi-axis system. Exceeding the weight limit can strain the positioner’s motor and structural components, leading to wear and potential failure.

Tilting Moments

The mass the positioner can handle is critical to determining the right positioner that can handle your workpieces efficiently. It must support the weight of the workpiece, along with any fixtures or tools attached to it, without compromising performance. In cases where you may require greater load capacity, consider a dual-positioner or multi-axis system. Exceeding the weight limit can strain the positioner’s motor and structural components, leading to wear and potential failure.

Unbalanced Loads

The mass the positioner can handle is critical to determining the right positioner that can handle your workpieces efficiently. It must support the weight of the workpiece, along with any fixtures or tools attached to it, without compromising performance. In cases where you may require greater load capacity, consider a dual-positioner or multi-axis system. Exceeding the weight limit can strain the positioner’s motor and structural components, leading to wear and potential failure.

Mass Moment of Inertia

The mass the positioner can handle is critical to determining the right positioner that can handle your workpieces efficiently. It must support the weight of the workpiece, along with any fixtures or tools attached to it, without compromising performance. In cases where you may require greater load capacity, consider a dual-positioner or multi-axis system. Exceeding the weight limit can strain the positioner’s motor and structural components, leading to wear and potential failure.

Speed of Rotation

The mass the positioner can handle is critical to determining the right positioner that can handle your workpieces efficiently. It must support the weight of the workpiece, along with any fixtures or tools attached to it, without compromising performance. In cases where you may require greater load capacity, consider a dual-positioner or multi-axis system. Exceeding the weight limit can strain the positioner’s motor and structural components, leading to wear and potential failure.

Integrating Low Backlash Design

The mass the positioner can handle is critical to determining the right positioner that can handle your workpieces efficiently. It must support the weight of the workpiece, along with any fixtures or tools attached to it, without compromising performance. In cases where you may require greater load capacity, consider a dual-positioner or multi-axis system. Exceeding the weight limit can strain the positioner’s motor and structural components, leading to wear and potential failure.