Fixed (in place fixed) robot systems are commonly referred to as multi axis robots, designed to perform high-precision and high-performance movements within a specified workspace. These systems are the backbone of modern manufacturing and automation devices. In these devices, repeatability, speed, and payload capacity are key factors.
Common robots include collaborative robots (cobots), articulated robotic arms, selective adaptive articulated robotic arms (SCARA), and triangular (parallel) mechanisms, as well as computer numerical control (CNC) and gantry lathes. According to different application requirements, these robots can be installed on rails, walls, ceilings, floors, or directly integrated into production machinery, enabling flexible deployment of assembly, material handling, packaging, inspection, and processing processes.
By combining advanced driving electronics, precision sensors, and real-time control architecture, these fixed robot platforms provide the reliability, diversity, versatility, and precision necessary for intelligent interconnected manufacturing environments. However, to maximize the advantages and performance of these systems, designers must understand and apply the latest advances in motion detection, position and area sensing, motion control, and connectivity technologies.
This article will briefly introduce the design requirements of advanced robots. Then introduce example solutions and related evaluation toolkits for Analog Devices. Designers can use these kits to implement these systems.
Design requirements for advanced robots
Compared with mobile robots, advanced fixed robots (Figure 1) have two differences: they operate in a relatively stationary and known overall environment, and are not limited by battery power. However, even in constantly changing working conditions, fixed robots must still have high-speed operation capabilities and maintain precision, repeatability, and accuracy. For example, these robots may need to pick up packages that are constantly changing in size, shape, weight, direction, and position, and accurately place them on a moving conveyor belt. For this purpose, these robots must be able to autonomously evaluate the current situation and make dynamic adjustments, while continuously perceiving the work environment and surrounding conditions.
Well known fixed robots
Figure 1: The well-known and widely used fixed industrial robots now possess ultra-high precision, high flexibility, and powerful adaptive capabilities. (Image source: Analog Devices Inc.)
To meet these requirements, it is necessary to carefully integrate the following technologies: end effector motion control, Time of Flight (ToF) imaging technology for environmental perception, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) for motion sensing, and Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link (GMSL) to ensure reliable high-speed communication.
1: Motion control of end effector robotic arm: The function of a robotic arm is like a hand or gripper, which can be opened or closed as needed. The robotic arm must use appropriate force to maintain reliable clamping force without damaging the payload. This requires the motor driver to be able to precisely adjust the motor, ensuring precise, consistent, and stable operation. Due to weight and space limitations, the drive should also be lightweight and compact in structure.
The TMCM-1617 single axis servo drive (Figure 2) is one of the correct solutions for this controller. This three-phase brushless DC (BLDC) motor driver weighs 24 g and measures 36.8 mm x 26.8 mm x 11.1 mm, providing up to 18 A RMS of current with a power supply voltage ranging from 8 V to 24 V.