Robotics Giants

January 13, 2015 12:38 pm

 Over the years, the field of robotics has been offering variety of innovative solutions to save time with increase in productivity and efficiency. This article takes a look at some of the leading players in robotics industry
Robotics, as we know, is the combined branch of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science. It deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing.
It can be observed that nowadays robotics is finding its applications in many fields. Let us know about the leading players in robotics industry who are providing the solutions to meet the ever-challenging needs of the industry.
KUKA Robotics India Pvt. Ltd. KUKA Robotics (India) is part of the worldwide operating KUKA Robot Group. KUKA Robotics India Pvt. Ltd. was incorporated in India in 2006. With Indian operations headquartered in Gurgaon, KUKA India has a state-of-the-art service and training centre in Pune. Today KUKA India’s key clientele include most of the major automobile and other engineering as well as non-engineering companies.
Being one of the pioneers in robotics and robotic arm technology, the KUKA Robot Group is one of the leading suppliers and manufacturers of robotic systems worldwide also.  It offers a wide range of industrial robots and robot systems, covering all common payload categories and robot types.
The company offers a robot customised for particular application and industry or can design a custom robotic system according to the needs.  With its cutting-edge robotic arm technology and ingenious engineering, it offers a product range, including:• Six-axis robots of all sizes• Palletisers• Cleanroom robots• Heat-resistant robots• Welding robots.
For standard or shelf-mounted robots and heavy-duty versions, mounting is possible on the floor or on the ceiling, making them multifunctional and flexible. Due to the modular structure of KUKA robots, reconfiguration for other tasks is quick and easy.
Precision Automation Robotics India Ltd. (PARI) Precision Automation Robotics India Ltd. (PARI) is amongst the largest global automation companies with 8 facilities worldwide. The company believes that its engineering strength enables PARI to be a complete solution provider, from conceptualising, designing, manufacturing, implementing and supporting advanced factory automation systems. It provides its customers with the solutions to help them enhance productivity and achieve their manufacturing goals.
The company began operations in 1990, and has experienced business growth year on year through its innovative solutions and focus on customer satisfaction.
Striving for excellence in every step of the process from sales to commissioning has allowed PARI to get established in the market. PARI’s principle business is to offer complete solutions on turnkey basis to its global customers, typically consisting of the following responsibilities:• User requirement capturing & understanding of customer need• Conceptualising the system solution that will meet the need• Engineering of the solution into implementable system design• Manufacturing and factory testing of the system to ensure the desired performance• Deployment, installation, commissioning and production support at customer site• Post sale service support for product lifecycle• Project management and process development functions required during the project lifecycle.
FANUC India Pvt. Ltd. FANUC is one of the largest manufacturers of industrial robots with over 200,000 installations across the world. In India also FANUC excels with total robot installation in excess of 4,700.
FANUC robots are used in a variety of industry applications such as material handling, spot welding, arc welding, machine tending, press tending, die cast extraction and spray, ladling, sand core handling, forge tending, fettling, ultrasonic welding, plasma spray, plasma cutting, laser cutting, deburring, sealant dispensing, assembly, painting and inspection.
FANUC offers an extensive range of robots with carrying payload capacity ranging from 0.5 Kg to 1,200 Kg. These robots come with various mounting configurations such as floor mount, ceiling mount, rail (shuttle) mount and overhead gantry mount. It also offers application specific robots such as painting robots, food grade type robots, wash down (IP67) type robots, arc welding robots and spot welding robots.
The company manufactures many components of robots in-house such as servo motor, servo amplifier, mechanical unit, robot controller etc., thereby exercising great control on quality and performance.
FANUC robot uses the advanced robot controller 30iA with PMC (programmable machine controller) for robot motion control along with I/O control with very fast update time. Additional digital I/O to control external devices either through on board or remote type is possible. This eliminates the requirement of interface panel in many cases as controller plus PMC facility can handle many functions.
Robot Controller 30iA enables easy addition of auxiliary axis for tool or positioner. Some of commonly used auxiliary axes are for 1-axis positioner, 2-axis positioner, servo gun (spot welding), servo pump (sealant application) and ladling tool (ladling application).
FANUC believes in providing robot system solution to customers. FANUC India has state-of-the-art system engineering facilities to provide variety of system solution on turnkey basis.
ABB RoboticsABB Robotics is a supplier of industrial robots, modular manufacturing systems and service. A strong focus on solutions helps it improve productivity, product quality and worker safety. ABB has installed more than 2,50,000 robots worldwide.
It has its offerings in industrial robots, application software, controllers, application equipment and accessories etc.
In addition to robots ABB also manufactures and supplies robot software, peripheral equipment, process equipment, modular manufacturing cells and service for tasks such as welding, handling, assembly, painting and finishing, picking, packing, palletising and machine tending.
Its key markets include automotive, plastics, metal fabrication, foundry, solar, consumer electronics, wood, machine tools, pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries.
Over the years, ABB has emerged as complete supplier of robot products, systems and services. The company had introduced the first paint robot in 1969 and the first commercially available, micro-processor controlled, electric robot in 1974.
Hi-Tech Robotic Systemz Hi-Tech Robotic Systemz is a part of the Hi-Tech Group – a multi-dimensional group of companies with over two decades of experience in the Indian and international markets.
In India, Hi-Tech Robotic Systemz is working in the field of robotics, artificial intelligence and control technologies, spanning the entire value chain starting from requirement analysis, concept development to system integration and beyond. With more than 15 patents, state-of-the-art technologies, the company is engaged in developing solutions to bring in effective and efficient robotic systems for mass utility.
HRSL – Defence division is focused on developing and delivering World class Robotics and Unmanned Systems for keeping the Armed/Civil defense personnel safe. HRSL – Industrial Robotics Division develops World class robotic and automation solutions, for increasing the efficiency and productivity on the factory floor.
Yaskawa India Pvt. Ltd.Yaskawa’s robotics applications presence in India started in 2005. Its core strengths include welding, assembly, coating, dispensing and material cutting. From a stable of over 175 robotic variants, the company has been able to integrate over 3,000 installations in both general production lines and specific process cells.
Consequently, its installations have been successful across many industries from health care to manufacturing plants, entertainment parks, commercial establishments and core industries such as automotives, light and heavy engineering.
In the application robots segment, its expertise addresses needs including arc welding, spot welding etc. In addition, it also addresses the needs:• Handling robot• Pick, pack and palletising from 2kg to 800kgs load capacity• Painting robot.
The robotics future vision plan will aid better delivery in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, education and evolve into comprehensive human-assist solutions.