The seventh axis of a robot is a mechanism that assists the robot in walking, mainly composed of two parts: the body and the load-bearing slide. The main body includes the ground rail base, anchor bolt assembly, rack and pinion guide rail, drag chain, ground rail connection plate, support frame, sheet metal protective cover, anti-collision device, wear-resistant strip, installation pillar, brush, etc. The seventh axis of a robot is also known as the robot ground track, robot guide rail, robot track, or robot walking axis.
Normally, six axis robots are capable of completing complex movements in three-dimensional space, including forward and backward, left and right movement, up and down lifting, and various rotations. However, in order to meet the needs of specific work environments and more complex tasks, introducing the "seventh axis" has become a key step in breaking through traditional limitations. The seventh axis of a robot, also known as an additional axis or track axis, is not a part of the robot body, but serves as an extension of the robot's work platform, allowing the robot to move freely in a larger spatial range and complete tasks such as processing long workpieces and transporting warehouse materials.
The seventh axis of a robot is mainly composed of the following core parts, each of which plays an indispensable role:
1. Linear slide rail: This is the skeleton of the seventh axis, equivalent to the human spine, providing the foundation for linear movement. Linear slides are usually made of high-strength steel or aluminum alloy materials, and their surfaces are precision machined to ensure smooth sliding while bearing the weight of the robot and dynamic loads during operation. Ball bearings or sliders are installed on the slide rail to reduce friction and improve motion efficiency.
Sliding block: The sliding block is the core component of a linear slide rail, which is equipped with balls or rollers inside and forms point contact with the guide rail, reducing friction during motion and improving motion accuracy.
● Guide rail: The guide rail is the running track of the slider, usually using high-precision linear guides to ensure smooth and accurate movement.
Ball screw: Ball screw is a device that converts rotational motion into linear motion, and is driven by a motor to achieve precise movement of the slider.
Ball screw: Ball screw is a device that converts rotational motion into linear motion, and is driven by a motor to achieve precise movement of the slider.
2. Connection axis: The connection axis is the bridge between the seventh axis and other parts (such as the robot body), ensuring that the robot can be stably installed on the slide rail and accurately positioned. This includes various fasteners, screws, and connecting plates, whose design must consider strength, stability, and flexibility to meet the dynamic motion requirements of the robot.
Joint connection: The connecting axis connects the various axes of the robot through joints, forming a multi degree of freedom motion system.
High strength materials: The connecting shaft needs to withstand large forces and torques during operation, so high-strength materials such as aluminum alloy, stainless steel, etc. are used to improve its load-bearing capacity and torsional performance.
The workflow of the seventh axis of a robot can be roughly divided into the following steps:
Receiving instructions: The control system receives motion instructions from the upper computer or operator, which include information such as the target position, speed, and acceleration that the robot needs to reach.
Signal processing: The processor in the control system analyzes instructions, calculates the specific motion path and parameters that the seventh axis needs to execute, and then converts this information into control signals for the motor.
Precision drive: After receiving the control signal, the transmission system starts to operate the motor, which efficiently and accurately transmits power to the slide rail through components such as reducers and gears, pushing the robot to move along a predetermined path.
Feedback regulation: Throughout the entire motion process, the sensor continuously monitors the actual position, speed, and torque of the seventh axis, and feeds back these data to the control system to achieve closed-loop control, ensuring the accuracy and safety of the motion.
With the continuous advancement of technology, the performance and functionality of the seventh axis of robots will continue to be optimized, and the application scenarios will become more diversified. Whether pursuing higher production efficiency or exploring new automation solutions, the seventh axis is one of the indispensable key technologies. In the future, we have reason to believe that the seventh axis of robots will play an important role in more fields and become a powerful engine for promoting social progress and industrial upgrading. Through this popular science article, we hope to stimulate readers' interest in robot technology and explore this intelligent world full of infinite possibilities together.
Post time: Nov-04-2024
