Robot types in industrial automation – an overview

The automation of industrial processes requires the targeted use of robots that have different designs and properties depending on the application. In the following, we present the most common robot types and show their respective advantages.

Articulated robots

Articulated robots are the most common design in industry. They have several rotatable axes that allow a high degree of flexibility. These robots are particularly suitable for welding, assembly and handling tasks. Advantages: high mobility, long reach, versatile.

SCARA robots

SCARA stands for “Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm”. These robots are specially designed for fast pick-and-place applications and assembly work. Their structure allows movement in the horizontal plane, while vertical movement is restricted. Advantages: high speed, high precision, compact design.

Portal robots (gantry robots)

Portal robots move along linear rails in three axes. They are often used for heavy loads or large-area work areas, for example in logistics or machine loading. Advantages: very high payloads, precise positioning, large work areas.

Delta robots

These robots are characterized by their parallel kinematics and are used for extremely fast pick-and-place tasks, often in the food or packaging industry. Advantages: Very high speed, low moving masses, high precision.

Collaborative robots (cobots)

Cobots are designed to work directly with humans. They are equipped with sensors that prevent collisions and are increasingly used in assembly and quality control. Advantages: high level of safety, easy programming, flexible application options.

Conclusion

The choice of the right type of robot depends heavily on the application. While articulated robots impress with their flexibility, SCARA and delta robots offer enormous speed for precise tasks. Gantry robots are designed for large loads, while cobots create new possibilities in human-robot collaboration.

KRÖNING – Automation supports you in selecting and integrating the right robot system for your individual requirements.