There are six main types of industrial robots: cartesian, SCARA, cylindrical, delta, polar and vertically articulated.

However, there are several additional types of robot configurations. Each of these types offers a different joint configuration. The joints in the arm are referred to as axes.

Ready to Buy? While we sell a variety of industrial robots, the majority are six-axis articulated robots. Start your selection process by contacting our sales department at 740-251-4312.

Common Types of Industrial Robots:

Articulated - This robot design features rotary joints and can range from simple two joint structures to 10 or more joints. The arm is connected to the base with a twisting joint. The links in the arm are connected by rotary joints. Each joint is called an axis and provides an additional degree of freedom, or range of motion. Industrial robots commonly have four or six axes.

Cartesian - These are also called rectilinear or gantry robots. Cartesian robots have three linear joints that use the Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, and Z). They also may have an attached wrist to allow for rotational movement. The three prismatic joints deliver a linear motion along the axis.

Cylindrical - The robot has at least one rotary joint at the base and at least one prismatic joint to connect the links. The rotary joint uses a rotational motion along the joint axis, while the prismatic joint moves in a linear motion. Cylindrical robots operate within a cylindrical-shaped work envelope.

Polar - Also called spherical robots, in this configuration the arm is connected to the base with a twisting joint and a combination of two rotary joints and one linear joint. The axes form a polar coordinate system and create a spherical-shaped work envelope.

SCARA - Commonly used in assembly applications, this selectively compliant arm for robotic assembly is primarily cylindrical in design. It features two

parallel joints that provide compliance in one selected plane.

Delta - These spider-like robots are built from jointed parallelograms connected to a common base. The parallelograms move a single EOAT in a dome-shaped work area. Heavily used in the food, pharmaceutical, and electronic industries, this robot configuration is capable of delicate, precise movement.

Rescue Robot

A rescue robot is what its name suggests. These types of robots assist in the aid of rescue workers. Examples of situations that would call on a rescue robot are hostages, explosions, urban disasters, etc. The advantage to there robots is that humans are removed personal requirements, no fatigue and the fact that these robots are able access many places that humans arent able to. Since, the recent mining incidents, rescue bots have been optimized to aid in these situations.

Check out this cool video of a Mine rescue robots in action:

Mobile Robot

These types of robots are automated machines capable of moving around in their environment. They are found in factory, military and security environments. They also appear in consumer products such as vacuum cleaners and blenders. Another great example of these robots is from a robot company called Kiva. They develop robots that have replaced humans in factories. Large companies including Amazon and Gap have jumped on the bandwagon. Heres what happens when Microsoft get a hold of a mobile robot and incorporates the Kinect into a mind-blowing reality:

Domestic Bots

Domestic Robots complete household chores such as vacuuming. These types of robots are where the most growth is going to occur in the near future. In years to come, every household will have Domestic Bots which at that time will perform a substantial amount of chores. How would you like a robot that cleaned your room, took out the trash and mowed your lawn?

Until these types of robots become a reality, check out the most recognizable domestic robot on the planet. With more than 6 million sold, the iRobot Roomba Vacuum is top of its class:

Military Bots

These types of Robots are already being used in our goverment. The purpose of these Bots is to help our military during combat and other situations. The recent advancements of military robots is amazing.

Check out this HD video of the NEW Military Robot named, PETMAN. At the time i posted this video, it was only 4 weeks old and already has over 2 million hits:

Medical Bots

These types of robots assist and perform medical procedures in operating rooms. This type of Robot has already taken off as surgeries have been conducted by Bots. The first Robot assisted surgery occurred in 1985 by

PUMA 560. It was used to place a needle for a brain biopsy using CT guidance.

School Bots

These types of robots assist teachers in getting children more motivated about learning. South Korea is the first country to develop programs to incorporate Robots in classrooms. This breakthrough personally adapts robots into our everyday lives. The children of today will grow up not knowing what the world was like when robots didnt exist. There will probably be a running joke Your Daddys so old, he had to plug in his TV to get it to work. Your Daddys so old, he grew up without robots.

Heres a comical clip of a two animated robots going back and forth as one tries to teach another. Oh and, listen to one of the robot voices, its Siri (iPhone assistant):

Reading Robot

These types of robots arent as interesting as the other bots however, this Robot can read newspapers, find and correct misspelled words and actually learn the literature thats it reading. They come very handy when reading bedtime stories to children. I just dont know if Id leave them alone with your children. At least, no just yet