Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1442832
SMARTER EDGE Cobots themselves are built from edge devices, things interconnected together and sitting first in line in the IoT. These edge devices are continually increasing in technical capabilities and intelligence. They are becoming smarter, with the ability to sense and respond to more things and communicate and process it accordingly. Cobots represents the next step of autonomy for robotics, giving them more ability to operate and decide how to perform their particular tasks within their work environment as they work alongside of and in contact with humans. Increasing the complex interaction of machines and humans requires a way of handling and coordinating the vast amounts of data closest to the location of operation. The preference is for intelligent processing of the data to be done locally rather than remotely or at a hub or gateway. The smarter edge is the network systems and technologies appropriately evolved and adjusted to meet the needs for localized data management. It must have sufficient data capacity, proper system performance, system bandwidth, security, and reliability. Further development of the smart edge will allow engineers to enable cobots to develop the ability to increase in autonomous capabilities over time. APPLICATIONS New applications for collaborative robotics within manufacturing continue to develop and expand. Reliable cobots provide a safe and secure way to assist manufacturers in producing higher quality and highly adaptable processes with productivity gains. Some of the IIoT applications include assembly and manipulation, handling and loading, and inspection. ASSEMBLY & MANIPULATION Production machines such as the kind used for computer numerical control (CNC) machining must continuously be tended by an operator. This operator is responsible for loading raw material, starting the machine, ensuring its proper operation, and unloading finished parts. Assembly and manipulation tasks are some of the most common industrial jobs. Often monotonous and boring, it usually does not require a high skill level, and operators are prone to injury due to repetitively lifting heavy materials and parts. Other examples of assembly and manipulation operations include stamping, grinding, trimming, welding, injection molding, printed circuit board (PCB) testing, part inspecting, and coordinate measuring. Cobots may be an ideal fit for assembly and manipulation applications. They can be placed in front of a traditional manufacturing machine and are easily programmed to perform the required loading and unloading tasks. Periodically, skilled technicians may examine the machine and tools and perform regular maintenance. This can lead to better workforce utilization, where the cobots get used for the lower-skill-level manual operations, and technicians get used for the higher-skill-level tasks such as inspecting, repairing and changing tools, performing | 19 | KEY FEATURES: • Offers a 6V supply voltage rating, 3mA operating current, and 50MΩ insulation resistance • Have more precise dimensional control and better performance than previous load cell designs • Features a compact design, high over-range capability, and a stainless steel enclosure FX29 COMPRESSION LOAD CELL KEY FEATURES: • Provides a highly reliable and economical means of grouping multiple-lead connections • Available in wire-to-wire, wire-to-panel, and wire-to-board configurations • Utilizes a combination of pins and sockets intermixed in the plug and cap housings to achieve excellent electrical performance UNIVERSAL MATE-N-LOK CONNECTORS Learn more > Learn more >