linrob linear robot vs. large articulated arm robot

In the modern manufacturing and automation industry, efficiency, flexibility and cost control are crucial. Linear robots or the combination of linear robots and cobots (collaborative robots) are a promising solution that has become increasingly popular in recent years. This combination offers numerous advantages compared to a large articulated robot, which is often only selected on the basis of its reach and not the required payload. However, even the greater reach is often not enough and the robot is placed on a so-called seventh axis to increase it.

Below we have listed some of the advantages of a linear robot:

Cobots are known for their flexibility, as they are easily programmable and can be quickly retrained for different tasks. In combination with linear robots, which are optimised for large, linear movements, companies can react quickly to changes in production. This is particularly important in industries with frequently changing products or individual customer requirements. What's more, each linREX is just as easy to programme as the cobot itself. This significantly increases the flexibility of the cobot. But what if weights of over 35kg need to be lifted? A stand-alone linear robot with a swivel joint is often the best solution here. Our multi-axis linear robots can easily lift up to 500kg. This means that any part in three-dimensional space can be brought into the correct position and a swivel joint at the end of the robot takes care of the fine details.

Large articulated robots often require considerable space, both for installation and operation. In contrast, the combination of a compact linear robot and a cobot requires considerably less space. This leads to more efficient utilisation of the available space in the production hall and facilitates integration into existing systems. In addition, linrob linear robots can be mounted not only on the floor, but also on the wall or ceiling, which does not hinder access for employees or automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

The acquisition costs for large articulated robots are usually high, and the operating costs, especially for maintenance and energy consumption, can also be considerable. In comparison, cobots and linear robots are often less expensive to purchase and maintain. In addition, our linear robots can be delivered much faster and can be installed and commissioned in less time, which significantly minimises downtime. In many applications, they increase productivity, which leads to better overall cost efficiency. The larger the system, the more profitable it becomes.

Collaborative robots are designed to work safely with humans. They have sensors that detect and prevent collisions, minimising the risk of accidents at work. Our linear robots can be equipped with an additional safety PLC that can integrate any safety sensors. This creates a safe co-working environment between man and machine. With large articulated robots, on the other hand, extensive safety fences are usually required, which means that humans and robots cannot work together.

Programming large articulated robots can be complex and time-consuming, often requiring specialised knowledge. In contrast, cobots are generally more user-friendly and require less technical expertise. This allows more employees to operate and program the systems, reducing the reliance on specialised technicians. Our linrob linear robots are just as easy to operate and programme as the cobot in 3 different ways:

• Digital inputs and outputs: The easiest way to connect our axis to your robot or system. After signal transmission, the linear robot moves to predefined positions where the robot completes its task.

• Integration into the robot controller: linear robots and cobots can be controlled directly via the robot's teach panel linrob is already integrated into numerous robot controllers, such as Universal Robots and Doosan Robotics.

• Own API: This software interface provides all the commands required to fully control our systems. The linrob and the cobot are fully controlled directly from the software used, e.g. OmniPack from Native Robotics or RoboDK.

The combination of linear robots and small cobots or stand-alone linear robots offers a high degree of scalability. Companies can add additional robots or axis/axis extensions as required without having to carry out extensive conversion work. This is particularly advantageous for growing companies that want to expand their production capacities quickly. With linrob, even the basic axis of an existing machine can be extended, even at a later stage. In addition, the basic axis can be of any length and several carriages can travel on one axis.