Why is CNC Machining Essential to the Robotics Industry?

There is an increasing need for robots in all industrial areas. Thanks to technological advancements, robots are not ideas that exist only in movies.

These days, you can find robots everywhere, from airports to factories. Many manufacturing companies use robots due to their efficacy and speed in performing complex tasks.

Moreover, a robot will cost you less than how much you would pay for manual labor. All you need to do is provide effective servicing that will ensure the structure and functioning of your robot stays operational.

What are the advantages of CNC machining in robotics?

One key element in manufacturing robotics is CNC machining. Manufacturers adjust their product life cycle by incorporating CNC machining into the creation process. This technology has many benefits that focus on making work easier. Here are some of the reasons you should use CNC machining in robotics:

• Faster creation process: CNC machining can speed up the creation process of any robot, regardless of customization. CNC machining will produce parts faster than any other technology. All you need is to have a 3D model ready, and CNC machining will make the particular features your robot requires to function.

• Manufacturing precision: If you are looking for a way to produce precise parts, you should consider CNC machining. This manufacturing technology is crucial when making high-performing robots because it offers dimensional accuracy.

• Surface finish: It is not easy to find a machine that creates the perfect surface roughness. Robots require CNC machining to produce the best interacting parts with appropriate surface finishing to create low friction. If you choose to manufacture robots using CNC machining, you are on the right track because your robots will require less maintenance since friction is less and thus can handle repeated movements.

• Convenience: It is not convenient to produce specific products using CNC machining. However, robots are perfect candidates for this manufacturing technology. The best way to manipulate these materials is using CNC machining, which offers steady movements crucial when manipulating the materials. Also, it is not common to make robots in large numbers. Custom CNC machining parts are convenient for manufacturers who want to create robots for specialized purposes.

What type of robot parts does CNC machining make?

There are a lot of things to consider when manufacturing a robot. One of the key things that influence the parts that will go into your robot is function. Over the years, the need for robots has increased and diversified, creating a gap for different robots to emerge.

Some of the commonly used robots include:

• Articulated robots: These types of robots have a single arm. Articulated robots also have multiple joints to allow for different movements.

• SCARA robots: Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm is a robot that offers moments along two parallel planes.

• Delta robots: These robots usually move quickly because the arm is lightweight. The joints of this type of robot are at the base and are the reason for delta robots’ efficacy in movement.

• Gantry or Cartesian robots: The defining feature of this type of robot is its linear actuators. The actuators move at angles of 90° to one another.

Although there are different types of robots for various purposes, there are five main components that all kinds of robots have in common.

For example:

• Robot arm: Most robot arm designs are similar to the human arm. For this reason, some of the parts that make up the robot arm are named after the parts of the human arm, like the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints. A good robot arm should be strong and stiff to lift heavy objects or apply force. CNC machining would be the right choice since the technology can manipulate the materials needed to make a robot arm.

• End effectors: This necessary attachment is found at the end of a robot arm, allowing a user to customize the robot’s function to different operations; this way, you do not have to build another robot from scratch.

• Motors: Without this part, a robot cannot move its arms and joints. Motors must have a machined enclosure and bracket to attach to the robot arm’s power source. CNC machining can help make this addition.

• Controllers: CNC machining can create a printed circuit board (PCB) of the right size and shape to house the electronic components required for the controller to source input from sensors and program output of precise movements.

• Sensors: These parts also require a PCB to take in information about the robot’s environment.

CNC machining is a vital part of the robot manufacturing process. If you want a high-performing robot, leverage the tight tolerances of CNC machines in creating robots with precise movements.