Physical installation requires
mechanical and electrical skills.
As required, the robot is linked to
its application environment by
input and output connections (for
example to switches and sensors).
The robot programming is typically an easy to learn language (similar to BASIC).
For more challenging applications,
for example where special
software, interfaces or fixturing
must be developed, robot suppliers provide engineering services or referrals
to robotic systems integrators. They are there to help you every step along
the way with products built to
international quality standards,  telephone support, comprehensive training
courses, standard  warranty
and world-wide parts and
service availability.
Robotics apply technology
to real world applications and are at work world wide in countries performing tasks such as;
product testing
spraying
machine loading
laboratory automation
materials handling
dispensing
research
and 
educational curriculums.

They pick things up and move
things around, screw and
unscrew bottle caps, decant,
swirl, coat, drill, inspect, grind,
palletize, sand, punch buttons,
flip switches, dispense, spray.
place parts and trim edges.
Everything robots do is done
with incredible precision and
repeatability which results in
higher quality products for 
customers. In applications such
as spraying and dispensing, there
is the added benefit of less
material costs through reduction
of over spray and better process
control. With robotics, there is
also the potential for increased
production because  robots
are designed for continuous
operation. In fact, any job too
boring or too dangerous for
humans is a potential candidate
for a robotic solution.
 

CONTINUOUS PATH
A control scheme whereby the
inputs or commands specify
every point along a desired path
of motion. The path is controlled
by the coordinated motion of the
manipulator joints.

DEGREES OF FREEDOM  (DOF)
The number of independent
motions in which the end effector
can move, defined by the num-ber
of axes of motion of the
manipulator.

GRIPPER
A device for grasping or holding,
attached to the free end of the last
manipulator link; also called the
robot’s hand or end-effector.

PAYLOAD
The maximum payload is the
amount of weight carried by the
robot manipulator at reduced
speed while maintaining rated
precision. Nominal payload is
measured at maximum speed
while maintaining rated preci-sion.
These ratings are highly
dependent on the size and shape
of the payload.

PICK AND PLACE CYCLE
See Figure. Pick and place
Cycle is the time, in seconds, to
execute the following motion
sequence: Move down one inch,
grasp a rated payload; move up
one inch; move across twelve
inches; move down one inch;
ungrasp; move up one inch; and
return to start location.

REACH
The maximum horizontal
distance from the center of
the robot base to the end of its wrist.

ACCURACY
See Figure. The difference
between the point that a robot
is trying to achieve and the
actual resultant position.
Absolute accuracy is the
d i f f e r e n c e between a point
instructed by the robot control
system and the point actually
achieved by the manipulator
arm, while repeatability is the
cycle-to-cycle variation of the
manipulator arm when aimed at
t h e same point.

REPEATABILITY
See Figure. The ability of a system
or mechanism to repeat the
same motion or achieve the same
points when presented with the
same control signals. The cycle-to-
cycle error of a system when
trying to perform a specific task

  ROBOT PROGRAM
A robot communication program for IBM and compatible personal
computers. Provides terminal emulation and utility functions. This program can record all of the user memory, and some of the system memory to disk files. 

M A X I M U M S P E E D
The compounded maximum
speed of the tip of a robot moving at full extension with all joints moving simultaneously in complimentary directions. This speed is the theoretical maximum and should under no circumstances be used to estimate cycle time for
a particular application. A better measure of real world speed is the standard twelve inch pick and place cycle time. For critical applications, the best indicator of achievable cycle time is a physical simulation.

S E R V O  C O N T R O L L E D
Controlled by a driving signal
which is determined by the error between the mechanism's present position and the desired output position.

V I A P O I N T
A point through which the robot's tool should pass without stopping; via points are programmed in order to move beyond obstacles or to bring the arm into a lower inertia posture for part of the motion.

W O R K E N V E L O P E
A  three-dimensional
shape that defines the boundaries that the robot manipulator can reach; also known as reach envelope.