1. Payload
Payload refers to the weight that the robot can carry. All robots will have a specified payload, which does not include the weight of the manipulator end action actuator (such as fixture) or auxiliary tools in the calculation.
This means that the actual payload that a robot can carry must be subtracted from the weight of the robot end actuator (such as fixture) on the basis of its nominal payload.
However, if the robot application is analyzed in depth, considering the impact of actual application requirements (such as acceleration) and physical parameters (such as friction coefficient), it is necessary to properly reduce the maximum payload carried by the robot. The payload of cooperative robot is generally within 10kg.
2. Weight
The weight of the robot body means whether it can be easily moved and replaced, or whether it needs a forklift or AGV car to do this.
In some workshops, robots need to constantly change their jobs to perform various production and operation tasks.
If the robot is too heavy, more labor and man-hours are needed to complete the robot's displacement and fixation.
3. Repeatability
Many times, people will ask questions about the accuracy or precision of robot actions. But in the world of collaborative robots, this indicator is actually of little significance.
In fact, what we need to know is repeatability.
Because cooperative robots are usually programmed and planned through manual trial teaching/manual guidance, the ability of robots to recreate and execute exactly the same motion is more valuable than its ability to accurately locate at a certain X, Y, Z coordinate point with millimeter precision.
At present, the maximum repeatability value of most cooperative robots is listed in the specification table, so when we test and use robots, we can usually obtain a smaller (better) repeatability than its nominal value.
4. Security
Because we need to work closely with people, security is particularly important for cooperative robots.
Although security is a very complex issue, many robot manufacturers will still mark the corresponding security level for their robot products, and most of them will get the security certification issued by a third party.
At the same time, there are many different variables in the "safety" certification of robots. The only thing we need to make clear is that the robot is certified as safe, which does not mean that the application of the robot is safe.
It is necessary to conduct a complete risk assessment according to the process specified in ISO 10218 (or ISO/TS 15066) to determine the safety performance level of the equipment application system.
5. Ease of use
For collaborative robots, which often need to work with humans and frequently switch different operation tasks, the ease of programming and configuration directly determines the production and operation efficiency of their equipment applications; But this indicator is actually hard to quantify. Because it really depends on people's operation and usage habits.
The same operation interface or use method is easy for some people, but may be difficult for others. Therefore, this indicator will always be subjective.
6. Arm extension
The arm span of the robot refers to the longest distance that the robot wrist can reach.
This distance is usually measured from the base of the robot. At the same time, there are many different methods to measure the arm span of the robot, and most of the time we will choose the maximum distance that the robot wrist can reach as a reference; Generally, the arm span of the cooperative robot is equal to the length of the human arm.