Industrial robots & cobots

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Very complete survey, from the market problems robots solve, to the low level details of how industrial robots and cobots work.”

Robotics book : Industrial robots & cobots: - book, handbook, textbook

Introduction into industrial robots

Industrial robots had been hiding in the dark corners of production halls for quite some time, and few people believed that they would ever leave. Large, clumsy machines required a great deal of knowledge to be operated and programmed. Fortunately enough, collaborative robots appeared on the market a few years ago, and they were modern, intuitive, and presented even better safety standards. They have been a trigger for a revolution that also made classic industrial robots more user-friendly.

Today you no longer have to work in a production hall to encounter a robot. Now you can also find them at trade fairs and shop windows. They will accompany you even while doing everyday tasks at work, and ultimately they will also enter our homes. It’s a strongly held belief of mine that the programming of robots will soon become a skill that will be required for many of us.

We have always wanted to have a mechanical helper to assist us with repetitive and tiring tasks. It is possible now; the only thing standing in the way is the ability to use those robots. Luckily, there are several ways to overcome this factor:

  • Attend a training course (expensive, slow, travel required, brand-specific knowledge)
  • Read the manuals (tl;dr: hard to access and boring)
  • By trial and error (very expensive, not safe for the robot or yourself)

Each of them is time-consuming and expensive. I decided to write this book in order to create a shortcut for the path needed to enter the world of robotics. You will learn everything about today’s industrial robotics in a concise and practical way. Enjoy!

216 pages

Comprehensively describing robotics, without needless theory. Only practical knowledge describing solutions to real-life problems in the world of cars and robots.

79 figures

Clear, elaborate illustrations and photographs of robots will help you to better understand the content of the book.

14 videos

Together with the book, you gain access to a constantly growing list of films. They complement the text and allow you to see the robots in their real work environment.

Look inside

Table of Contents

The book is a presentation of a decade of my experience in robotics that was gathered in one place. I am proud of its content, and I cordially invite you to browse through the topics discussed in the following chapters.

Chapter 1 – Introduction

What do fridges and robots have in common? • Will the machines take our jobs? • Why should you learn to program robots • What to do when you don’t have access to a real robot? • Simulation programs and virtual robot stations

Chapter 2 – History of robotics

The story behind the word “robot” • Henry Ford, the first cars and mechanical horse • Cocktail party in Connecticut • Unimate 1900 • Chevrolet Vega – what happens if the robotisation is overused • The first robot from Japan • How to pack chocolate pralines quickly? • Collaborative robots • Forecast for the upcoming years

Chapter 3 – Structure of industrial robots

Components • Second-hand robots • What to pay attention to? • Degrees of freedom • Robot axes • Arm construction and drives • Calibration • Motion tracks and rotors – additional robot axes • Robots’ visual design • Colours used by manufacturers • Control cabinet structure • Teach pendant • Shelf-mounted robots • Gantry • Hollow Wrist • Cleanroom robots • Foundry robots • Palletising robots • Delta parallel robots • SCARA robots • Collaborative robots (cobots)

Chapter 4 – Industrial robot’s motion

Joint Coordinates • Cartesian Coordinates • Forward kinematics • Inverse kinematics • Coordinates systems • BASE • TOOL • TCP • Part frame/User frame/Working frame • Arm configuration • Singularity • Robot motion • PTP • Linear • Circular • Motion approximation

Chapter 5 – Methods of programming robots

Programming methods • ABB Rapid • KUKA KRL • Fanuc Karel • Yaskawa Inform • Online • Offline • RCS/RRS • Simulation software • Virtual reality • Teaching by Demonstration

Chapter 6 – Multi-robot workstations

Robotised workstations • Simultaneous operation of multiple robots • Riveting of aircraft plating • Interlocking zones • Cycle Time • Production optimisation

Chapter 7 – Working safely with robots

Asimov’s three laws of robotics • First fatal accident • Dangers in robot workplaces • Lock-out/Tag-out procedure • Types of stoppage • Collaborative robots • Autonomus mobile robots (AMR) • Collision tests • Methods of robot-human cooperation • ISO/TS 15066 • SIL and Performace Level • Safety measures

Chapter 8 – Conclusion

What awaits us in the future? • Industry 4.0 • Artificial intelligence and machine learning • Image processing • Active safety systems • Robots among us

More than 500 happy readers

Customer reviews: 4.6 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

One very nice thing that the author took the time for is to gather videos that show or describe many of the things that he has listed in the book. This is a very nice approach to sharing information and is certainly more easy to understand.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

(…) it was a good book to actually confirm how industrial robots work. After all, YouTube tells you to do something and it may work, but doesn’t explain why or how.

Highly recommended.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

everything inside you need to know about Industrial Robots.

From Basics to Expert knowledge.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book pricing

All types of businesses need access to development resources, so we give you the option to decide how much you need to use.

Ebook

$10

Great for personal use and for your commercial and personal projects

  • 216 pages
  • X-Ray: Enabled

Paperback

$16

Best for large scale uses and extended redistribution rights

  • 216 pages
  • 16.99 x 24.41 cm

Choose your store

In my book, I explain all the important issues related to industrial robotics from the very beginning. In order to learn how to program robots, you need to have a deep understanding of various areas. I will demonstrate the best production robotisation patterns used by the automotive sector; starting from choosing the right robot, through programming, and ending on advice on how to avoid costly breakdowns and downtime. It took me a decade to acquire this knowledge; you can get acquainted with it in a few evenings.

Programming robots is a job that gives a lot of satisfaction, good earnings, and the opportunity to travel around the world. In “ordinary” programming, only the lines of abstract code are written. In robotics, after finishing work, you see a physical object made by a robot that implements your ideas. Watching an entire production line, where perfectly synchronised devices perform tasks according to your instructions, is satisfying to witness 😀 This book will be particularly interesting for three groups of people:

Students – I explain how robots are built, I describe the principles of operation and how to move them. In the book, I avoid theoretical and mathematical descriptions. I prefer to show life stories, and then to describe problems on the basis of real experiences. Don’t have access to an industrial robot? No problem. I’ll tell you which industrial robot simulators will allow you to test the content of the book. These are the same applications that are later used in commercial work. Working with robots is interesting, but it is available only for a few. Employers require experience, which, most of the time, can be gained through attending a very expensive course. This publication will show you good practices and help you avoid costly mistakes. Thanks to it, learning how to program a real robot will be faster and easier.

Plant owners and managers – if rising labour costs made you think about robotisation, you surely know that it is a great solution if you want to improve product quality and keep costs under control. At the beginning, however, it requires considerable investments. The book will tell you what types of robots are available and where they can be used. You will find out what requirements they meet and what assumptions have to be made in order for them to be efficient and safe. With this knowledge, it will be easier for you to find a common language with an industrial robot integrator. Good communication is key to the successful implementation of robots suiting your real needs.

Or perhaps you are an employee of a factory where the first robot is being installed? Instead of being afraid of change, learn how to work safely with a new machine. Take advantage of this opportunity and gain qualifications that will give you a ticket to a better job perspective for the future. Instead of doing hard work, supervise the robot and make improvements to its work. The robots are very good at performing repetitive and accurate tasks, but their cognitive capabilities are still limited. Nowadays, more and more emphasis is placed on cooperation between robots and people. The position provided by the integrator is not always ideal. The opinion of an experienced employee who can find a common language with the robotic cell designers and robot programmers is invaluable.

Author

Hi 👋 ! My name is Michał Gurgul, and I have been working with industrial robots for a decade now.

ABB, Comau, Fanuc, KUKA, Yaskawa – throughout my professional career, I have programmed hundreds of robots. I carry out projects for large automotive concerns on a daily basis: from the early simulation of a virtual model, to offline programming, to the commissioning and start of production.

Do you have a BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Porsche or Lamborghini in your garage? I have worked for every single one of those brands. Perhaps your car was made by robots that I have programmed 😀

I believe that each of us can take matters into their own hands and enjoy a rewarding, well-paid job. My goal is to introduce you to the world of modern technology, which will allow you to develop professionally in the years to come.