Reg’s Robotics Rhapsody

The 5 main parts of a robot are the controller, the arm, the drive, the end effector and the sensor.

The Control 

In order for a robot to work it has to be connected to a computer, this computer is called the controller. The controller is like the brain of the robot and allows the robot to be networked to other systems, so that it can work together with machines, processes and robots.

The Arm

This is the part of the robot that positions the end-effector and sensor to do their pre-programmed operations. Arms come in all shapes and sizes. Many arms, resemble human arms, as this design is so far the best. This design allows the robot to position itself in its environment in many different ways. Each joint on the arm gives the robot 1 degree of freedom.

The Drive

The engine that powers the joints, called the links, in the robot, is called the Drive. Without the drive the robot wouldn’t be able to move. Most robots are powered by air, water pressure or electricity.

The End effector

The End Effector is the “Hand” that is connected to the arm. The End Effector could be a tool like a gripper, vacuum pump or even a blowtorch. The possibilities are endless. On some robots, the End Effector can be changed and the robot reprogrammed to suit the task at hand.

The Sensor

Sensors provide some feedback to the robot so that it can do its job. However, compared to living things, robots have a long way to go in the sensory deparptment. 

The Sensor send information back to the controller in the form of electronic signals. Sensors also give the controller information about where the arm of the robot is positioned and the state of the environment around it.

A robot sensor might allow a robot to see in the dark, detect amounts of radiation and to detect very minute movements.

The Six Degrees of Freedom

In order for a robot to reach every possible area in its work space, it needs 6 degrees of freedom. For each direction a joint can go it gives the arm 1 degree. Many robots thesedays have at least 6 degrees of freedom. The degrees of freedom are pivot base of arm, rotate base of arm, bend elbow, wrist up and down, rotate wrist and wrist left and right.

 Craig Rosa, Eric Schwartz, and Gustavo Tobon. 5 Main Parts. [Internet]. Published by “The Tech Museum”. Available from http://www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/robots/5main/ [Accessed 18/2/08].