Robotics and Automation White Papers

From industrial robots and factory automation systems to medical devices, consumer electronics, and electric vehicles (EVs), motors drive the machinery that powers our modern world. In 14 Experts Discuss Motor Control in Modern Applications, engineers from ADI and other technology companies offer their perspectives on how ADI is helping meet the growing demands for intelligent, high-performance motor solutions.

Robotics has become a staple of the manufacturing sector, essential for maximizing productivity, ensuring quality, and reducing labor costs. As valuable as robotics are, many solutions fall short of the time-to-impact metric that manufacturers seek. Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based, closed-loop automation. Closed-loop, AI software can be thought of as the facilitator of robotics evolution. It ensures that robots adapt to their environment as conditions fluctuate. Without it, industrial robots will be stuck in the past, unable to achieve true digital transformation.

In 9 Experts Discuss Robotics, AI, and ML in Industrial Applications, engineers from ADI, Samtec, and other companies discuss how AI and ML have introduced unprecedented levels of adaptability to the factory floor. Through AI and ML, robots are now able to perceive their environment, recognize patterns, and make decisions based on real-time data. The eBook also highlights many of the products that both ADI and Samtec offer that support the integration of AI and ML into industrial automation.

BGA defects can be challenging to detect when images are not taken from the appropriate perspective or with the correct equipment. While IPC's recommended tests are effective in certain situations, recent improvements in CT technology offer a more comprehensive analysis of each solder ball within seconds. Utilizing a genuine 3D CT method, defects such as Voiding, Non-Wetting, and Head-in-Pillow are distinctly visible, enabling engineers to conduct accurate root-cause analyses. This white paper will delve deeper into these topics, exploring advanced X-ray inspection techniques and the benefits of 3D CT X-ray inspection.

New survey reveals the role that elevated flooring and mezzanines are playing in today’s warehouses and DCs and highlights the value of composite engineered wood flooring as a surface of choice for these structures.

Introducing the 2024 State of Industrial Networking Report for Manufacturing, offering key insights into how global manufacturing firms are enhancing security, boosting efficiency, and driving innovation with their industrial networking strategy. Look at what 700+ manufacturing professionals, from management to C-suite, across 17 countries have to say.

Robotic machine tending initiatives include numerous factory-dependent and project-specific considerations that must be taken into account to achieve success. This paper provides in-depth information on the different aspects of a robot machine tending initiative that are necessary to achieve: Greater unattended operation, Higher yield & Improved margins

Explore our full line of edge AI computing solutions. An overview of our reliable computer hardware for edge AI applications, including machine learning and machine vision, for quality inspection, advanced robotics, worker safety and other AI-enabled automation applications.

The benefits of Secure Boot and the ways to enable it. Enabling UEFI Secure Boot ensures that each element loaded during the boot process is digitally authenticated. This document breaks down how Secure Boot prevents the loading of unauthorized applications and provides details about how to customize the Secure Boot policy.

Robots are increasingly becoming a viable option for people requiring an operation, and in many cases are even preferred over a surgeon’s hand. Thanks to precision motion components, along with advanced software and vision systems, robotic surgery procedures are becoming more and more advanced. If you’re designing robotic arms, control consoles or end effectors, you must be certain that linear guides and crossed roller bearings (CRBs) will satisfy the stringent accuracy and motion requirements that these ever more sophisticated procedures demand. Our new white paper, How Precision Motion Components Enable Successful Robotic Surgery Outcomes, explains the importance of linear guides and CRBs to translation, control systems and end effectors within surgical robots. With an understanding of how linear guides and CRBs are used in these systems, you can mitigate risks and achieve an outstanding surgical success rate.

In-depth technical papers written with the engineer in mind. Including data direct from the igus® test lab

Autonomous Process Control (APC) represents a transformative approach for quality production without human intervention. This white paper details autonomy in process control as the foundational capability of fully autonomous manufacturing. Benefits include: Over 30% reduction in Defects, 25-45% higher Yields, Improved Margins

Interoperability is the key to increasing efficiency in modern intralogistics. It allows seamless communication and collaboration between different systems, such as autonomous mobile robots (AMR), automated guided vehicles (AGV), and warehouse management systems. With interoperable solutions, companies can optimize their processes, minimize downtime, and significantly boost productivity.

Mechatronic components, such as feedback devices, motors, and drives, often use various communication interfaces to interact with control systems and other devices. These communication interfaces have evolved over time to meet specific needs and standards in the industry. Let’s explore some of the common communication interfaces and provide a simplified overview of their history, purpose, and usage.

Reducing warehouse headcount and improving inventory accuracy are just a few of the benefits warehouses achieve with AI-enabled computer vision. Whether you are new to this technology or looking to stay up to date, this 22-page primer provides you with the knowledge and data points you need to better understand its value and evaluate how your warehouse can benefit from computer vision.

Encoders are often used in harsh industrial environments. Encoders can be exposed to the same contaminants other machinery is, including: high volumes of dust, an abundance of moisture, caustic chemicals, even physical damage, where the encoder is knocked around by other equipment.

The growing shortage of skilled workers is increasing the pressure on industrial companies to automate their processes. Flexible, cost-effective and easy-to-implement robotics solutions such as autonomous mobile robots and collaborative robots are therefore in demand. Mobile manipulators connect both robot systems, but often cannot be used economically due to insufficient battery power. The solution: the Wireless Power Kit from Wiferion, which enables wireless charging for both systems simultaneously.

The time required to re-configure a robot for a new task, without the aid of an automatic robotic tool changer, can often result in lengthy periods of downtime for the robot. In addition, there is the added uncertainty of whether the operator performing the changeover has completed all of the required tasks correctly. Failure to do so could result in damage to the system, costs to repair or replace damaged items, a significant period of unplanned downtime, not to mention the potential for injury to the operator. This informative White Paper explains how our automatic robotic tool changer systems both contribute to personnel safety, whilst at the same time safeguarding a number of different production and efficiency related factors.

The machine safety standards that evolved over the past few decades simplified and accelerated the machine design process. This article gives an overview of the relevant safety standards and discusses how the new servo drives with built-in certified functional safety can further facilitate machine design and increase safety.

Effective motion control is key to achieving Industry 4.0 goals. For example, smart servo technology can enable machinery that is smaller, safer, greener, more efficient, and cost-effective. This article reviews how by embedding sophisticated, compact drives in machines, manufacturers can achieve “pure power” control and improve machine performance.

In this Design Guide, the editors of Design World detail the most common DC motor types as well common ways to quantify their output during the design engineering process.

Material verification is a crucial aspect of the quality control process in optical component manufacture. But when a material takes on different guises, identifying it can become a challenge. So, is there a solution?