Currently, many robots are playing an active role in Japanese manufacturing websites.
In the past, what was produced by hand is now being automated by factories (factory automation).
There are many different industries in the manufacturing sector, and industrial robots are introduced not only in automobiles but also in all industries such as food and semiconductors and other electrical industries.
We manufacture many parts of industrial robots that carry out all product and parts manufacturing processes at the factory for humans, called parts of automatic machinery equipment.
Industrial robots are widely used in assembly, transportation, sorting and painting.
The conditions for suitable materials for industrial robot parts are that they meet the required durability and that they can be manufactured with the required precision. However, there are other requirements to reduce weight as much as possible.
Aluminum is often used as a suitable material to meet the above requirements.
In this article, I will explain why while touching the properties of aluminum.
Lightweight and industrial robots
Aluminum material, for example, is 1/3 the weight of the same size as iron or stainless steel (SUS).
Lighter weight is easier to process and can reduce shipping costs.
Equipment that uses metal as its material increases in weight as its size increases.
Depending on weight, installation on buildings on the second floor or higher can be difficult.
In such a case, there is an advantage in reducing weight by using aluminum material.
Another reason why aluminum materials are commonly used is that they have high strength per unit weight (specific strength).
Duralumin 2000 series 7000 series aluminum is famous for its excellent strength.
It is used not only for power-demanding industrial robot parts, but also for automotive parts and aerospace equipment parts.
Duralumin is a material with relatively good workability.
Aluminum frames are commonly used for industrial robots such as transfer machines and production lines.
6000 series aluminum material has good moldability, so it has many specifications for corners, channels, tubes and frames, and is active in the production of industrial robots.
Additionally, strong and light aluminum is often used for robot arms and hands.
Magnesium alloys and titanium alloys are also available if we focus on strong and light properties, but this is not an easy material to work with and difficult to work with when cutting.
In this regard, aluminum alloys such as 5000 series have good machinability, so they are suitable for complex cases and for work that requires precision.
Aluminum materials can be processed not only by cutting but also by bending and welding.
However, aluminum materials are more susceptible to scratches than other metals, so care must be taken when cutting.
If appearance is important, it is also a method of applying blast shot to make the surface uniform.
Physical properties of aluminum and industrial robots
Another reason for good compatibility with industrial robot parts is good corrosion resistance.
Metals are often corrosive, but aluminum materials are coated with an oxide film, so they usually do not rust like iron and adversely affect appearance.
Since natural oxide film is a very thin film, it can corrode completely depending on the environment, so there is a method called alumite that artificially creates oxide film.
Note that duralumin of the 2000 series and duralumin of the 7000 series have slightly lower corrosion resistance than other aluminum materials.
This aluminum material is often chosen because of its fatal corrosion of industrial robot parts in the semiconductor industry.
In addition, aluminum materials are non-magnetic and are used around electronic circuits.
There are other characteristics, such as good thermal conductivity and low temperature resistance, similar to the use of aluminum pots in conventional households.
Both can be used purposefully, which is why they are widely used as industrial robot parts.
Aluminum distribution, standards and industrial robots
Aluminum materials are relatively easy to obtain because of large circulation.
The quantities of aluminum commonly used in cutting are 1000 series of pure aluminum, 2000 series of duralumin, 5000 series of Al-Mg alloy, 6000 series of Al-Mg-Si alloy, and 7000 series super duralumin 7. There are many different systems.
However, there is a thickness tolerance depending on the quantity.
Care must be taken when setting tolerances for plate thickness, as milling must be done and costs are high.
When using aluminum material for industrial robot parts, we have many achievements from university research institutes and industrial machine manufacturers. Please contact us from the design stage.
Besides, aluminum has a low melting point and when combined with the anti-rust properties mentioned above, it is a material that can be easily recycled.
It is for this reason that empty cans are separated and collected, but the aluminium materials used in industrial equipment are also quite large, making them extremely excellent as recycled materials.
Metal Speed supports various processes such as milling, machining and turning.
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