Standard Mechanical Parts for Robots

* Controller
* Robot body
* Robotic arm
* Sensors
* End-effector

These exterior components are what make industrial robots look so impressive. As they raise and rotate like Transformers, they make light work of difficult tasks. However, the real drivers behind the operation of industrial robots are the internal mechanical components. These hidden parts are often overlooked but play a crucial role. Industrial robots are made up of four main machine elements: actuators, reduction gears, encoders, and the transmission. You can find linear actuators and accessories in the Elesa catalogue. Below we will explain the names and purposes of actuators and other mechanical parts found inside industrial robots.

Actuator
Sometimes referred to as the drive, the actuator is the motor of an industrial robot. The actuator is responsible for controlling the movements of articulated robots – that is, robots that contain rotary joints. Robots typically don’t just have one actuator and will instead have as many as there are axes. As an example, the FANUC M20ia robot has six axes and so it has six actuators. You can think of actuators as the robot’s joints that allows the robot to create specific motions. The most common actuators used in industrial robots are servo motors. They have advanced functionality which enables for extremely precise movement. Robotic actuators can be powered electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically.

Reduction Gear
While industrial robots are strong and able to lift heavy loads, there is a limit to how much power the actuator can produce. This is where the reduction gear comes in as it increases the power of each actuator. Each robot contains an equal number of actuators and reduction gears. When these two components work together, they produce the high power needed for the industrial robot to operate.

Encoders
The encoder provides data on the robot’s movement, such as the distances and directions it has traversed. This data allows the motors to control the robot’s speed and position. The encoder is a very important component as it enables the robot to move with greater precision and accuracy. The actuator disc sits on the base of the actuator.

Transmission

Taking the power generated by the reduction gear and transferring it to the actuator, the transmission allows the motor to increase its power output. By transmitting power, the transmission can change the angle and intensity of power.

As you now know, there are some very important components inside industrial robots. It is crucial that these parts are kept in excellent condition so that they keep your robots doing their job. If you need to replace industrial components such as linear actuators, t-shaped and angular connectors or angular gears, we are on hand to help. You can find all of this and more, including actuator installation kits, in our extensive Elesa catalogue.