Choosing a screw feeder system on your robotic screwdriving utility could be a daunting job. There are numerous elements to contemplate, such the specs of your screws and the required velocity of supply.

It is very important select the right screw feeder system as your alternative can considerably have an effect on the productiveness of your whole utility.

There are a number of questions you may ask your self to make your life simpler up entrance.

By answering these key questions, you may slim down your search and discover the proper screw feeder system on your particular wants.

Listed here are 10 good inquiries to ask your self:

1. What are the advantages of utilizing a screw feeder system in a robotic utility?

Earlier than you even take into consideration which screw feeder to make use of, you would possibly marvel why you would wish one in any respect.

There are a number of advantages of utilizing a screw feeder with robotic screwdriving. The obvious profit is that it improves the productiveness and effectivity of your whole utility by delivering screws at a relentless charge.

Screw feeders are easy and cost-effective, and you’ll apply them to a variety of duties.

2. What parts do I want in a robotic screw feeder?

A screw feeder works by delivering screws to your robotic at a relentless charge. You merely pour the screws into the hopper and the screw feeder does the remainder of the work.

Normally, screw feeders come as stand-alone models that embody all the things you will have. Elements embody a screw hopper to carry the screws, a system to align and queue screws prepared for presentation, and an area for the robotic to seize the screw.

For robotic screwdriving, an important property is that the screw feeder is well to combine along with your robotic system. Utilizing a screwdriving utility package is an effective way to make sure compatibility.

3. What dimension of screws will I exploit?

The dimensions of screws you want on your utility will dictate what sort of screw feeder you need to use. Bigger screws will naturally require a bigger screw feeder.

Take a look at each the width and size of the screws you may be utilizing. It is higher to be cautious up entrance than find yourself with a screw feeder that does not assist your screws!

As an example, the Robotiq Screw Feeder helps screws between M2.5 and M5.

4. What sort(s) of screws will I exploit?

In addition to the dimensions, additionally, you will want to contemplate what kinds of screws you will have. There are many kinds of screws together with ones made out of totally different supplies, with varied head patterns, and designed for particular functions.

For instance, in case your screws aren’t ferromagnetic, they will not be appropriate with screw feeders or robotic programs that depend on magnets to deal with the screws.

5. What object am I screwing into and is it related?

It could be necessary to contemplate the properties of your workpiece. As an example, sure supplies might require specialised screws or fasteners that do not match the extra widespread screw varieties.

In such circumstances, it might be mandatory to make use of a extra specialised screw feeder system or adapt your chosen system to accommodate your necessities.

In different conditions, the properties of the workpiece will not be related. However you will not know both approach till you test.

6. How briskly does the robotic have to ship the screws?

The velocity it is advisable ship screws may also play a task in figuring out which screw feeder you want. Your robotic can solely ship screws on the appropriate charge if the screw feeder delivers them to the robotic at that charge.

This property will rely upon the general productiveness requirement of your screwdriving utility. For instance, if you’re on the lookout for a brilliant high-speed utility, a collaborative robotic resolution would possibly present inadequate velocity.

7. How will the screw feeder combine with my robotic system?

When choosing any part for a robotic utility, it is necessary to contemplate how straightforward it’s to combine with the robotic system.

Most screw feeders will likely be usable for a robotic utility. The query is how a lot integration and programming work you wish to do. Some screw feeders — just like the one in our Screwdriving Answer — work out-of-the-box. Others would require extra superior robotic integration abilities.

8. Does my course of require any non-standard fasteners?

In case your utility requires any non-standard fasteners, you will have to contemplate this early in your robotic deployment. You would possibly want to make use of a specialised screw feeder that may deal with some of these fasteners, or discover different methods to include these fasteners into your utility.

Robots are very versatile to allow them to deal with a variety of non-standard screws and fasteners. However you might have to adapt your robotic setup to assist them.

9. Are there further prices related to the system?

When choosing any robotic resolution, it is necessary to ask if there will likely be any further prices related to the system.

The obvious price is the buying value. Further prices related to some programs would possibly embody upkeep and working prices, licensing for software program, integration prices, and different third-party prices that aren’t instantly apparent. Attempt to get as clear a costing as potential earlier than you decide to a specific system.

10. Does the provider have wonderful customer support?

Customer support and assist could make or break a robotic resolution deployment. Whenever you discover a firm that provides wonderful buyer assist, they’ll make your life so much simpler.

At Robotiq, we provide a devoted buyer assist service for anybody utilizing our options and parts, even if you are going to buy them from considered one of our distributors or companion integrators. This offers you double assist for any points you would possibly encounter.

Choosing the suitable screw feeder system could be a daunting job. However, by asking your self the questions we have listed above, you may make a extra knowledgeable determination about which system will finest fit your wants.

By narrowing down your search and getting readability up entrance, it is a lot simpler to search out the proper screw feeder system on your particular screwdriving utility.

What query did we miss from this checklist? Inform us within the feedback beneath or be a part of the dialogue on LinkedIn, Twitter, Fb, or the DoF skilled robotics neighborhood.