A robotic arm, also known as a manipulator or robot arm, is a key part of a robotic system that is responsible for performing physical manipulation and movement.
It is usually composed of multiple sophisticated components that work together to achieve complex movements and functions.
The following are the main components of a robotic arm:
1. Base: The fixed part of the robotic arm that provides support and stability for the entire arm. It is usually mounted on the ground or on the main structure of the robot.
2. Joints: The movable connection points in the robotic arm that allow the arm to rotate or translate in different directions. The number and type of joints determine the degree of freedom and flexibility of the arm. Common joint types include rotational joints (allowing rotation around a single axis) and translational joints (allowing movement in a straight line).
3. Links: Rigid rods that connect adjacent joints and are responsible for transmitting force and movement. The shape, length, and material of the link affect the rigidity and movement performance of the arm.
4. Drive: The component that provides power to move the arm, usually an electric motor. The motor transmits power to the joints through a reducer and transmission device, driving the joints to rotate or translate.
5. Reducer: A device located between the motor and the joint that reduces the motor speed and increases the torque to better control the movement of the joint.
6. Transmission: A mechanism that transmits the power of the motor to the joint, which may include gears, chains, belts, etc. The design of the transmission needs to ensure efficient energy transfer and stable movement.
7. Sensors: Various sensors installed on the arm to sense the state of the arm and the surrounding environment. Common sensors include position sensors (used to measure the angle or position of the joint), force sensors (used to measure the force or torque applied to the arm), and visual sensors (used to capture images and videos for visual recognition and navigation).
8. Controller: Receives information from the sensor and controls the movement of the arm based on preset algorithms and programs. The controller is the "brain" of the robot arm and is responsible for decision-making and planning the movement trajectory of the arm.
9. End effector: A component installed at the end of the arm to perform specific tasks, such as grasping, handling, processing, etc. The type of end effector depends on the application requirements and may be a mechanical gripper, suction cup, welding gun, etc.
10. Power supply and cables: The equipment that provides power to the arm and the cables used to transmit power and signals.
The power supply can be a battery, AC power, etc., and the cables need to ensure that they will not be disturbed or damaged during the movement of the arm.
These components work together to enable the robot arm to complete a variety of complex tasks.
As technology continues to develop, the components of the robot arm are also constantly evolving to improve its performance, reliability and flexibility.