mouser.com/te 11
Figure 1: As cobot adoption continues to rise, further
improvements are likely in other safety features, such as
proximity and absolute positioning sensors. (Source : anon/
stock.adobe.com)
measuring rotational angle—offer low cost and high
durability but may not offer the precision needed
for fine tasks. At the other end of the spectrum,
optical encoders can deliver higher precision but
are more fragile and expensive. To help make cobots
more accessible to a wide range of users, TE also
offers a middle ground between these two options:
magnetic encoders that allow for greater precision
than resolvers but are significantly less expensive
and more robust than optical sensors.
Optimizing Factory Robots to Keep
Human Workers Safe
By definition, cobots are designed to work alongside
humans. They can be installed without safety cages,
which helps keep installation costs down and
reduces their footprint on the factory or warehouse
floor. However, this configuration requires other
safety features to protect nearby workers.
Advancements in torque sensors have helped make
cobots safer and more reliable. Installed in each
axis of the cobot arm, torque sensors measure
the amount of mechanical strain within the axis
motor and gearbox. They can be programmed to
keep torque below a specific threshold (Figure 2),
automatically shutting down before there's a risk of
injury to a human operator or damage to the cobot
arm itself.
Figure 2: Torque sensors and other safety features are essential to automating factory operations with cobots.
(Source : Summit Art Creations/stock.adobe.com)
Yet, within this standard setup, designers must
still balance the competing needs for durability,
sensitivity, and cost when choosing internal
components. For example, resolvers—systems
