SCARA (Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm) is an industrial robot that is designed to be compliant in the X and Y axis, while being rigid in the Z-axis. SCARA robots have been making rounds in small automated assembly lines, as they have unique configuration and can be programmed for a variety of material handling tasks.
SCARA robots have two arms that are joined at the base, with an intersection in the middle. If you are interested in buying SCARA robots for your assembly line, then here are some considerations that you should have in mind:
Articulation
Articulation means the degree of freedom and the type of motion that is required in the robotic application. The degree of freedom is usually determined by the joint locations, number of joints and the axis that each joint controls.
SCARA robots are four-axis robots with a motion in X, Y, Z and a rotational motion in the Z-axis. These robots can also be added with more mechanisms to achieve six-axis applications as long as the robot is able to handle the payload requirements.
The articulation of SCARA robots makes them perfect for applications that require picking and placing a parts from one point to another. In addition to that, SCARA robots can also be used for screw driving applications, as the rotation axis can be used to easily drive screws.
Payload
When installing the end effectors, such as grippers, screwdrivers or dispensers, it is really important to pay attention to the payload requirements.
SCARA robots mainly come in two variants to accommodate different payloads. However, if a small robot can bear the weight of the arm and end effectors, there is no need to use larger models that might take up more floor space.
Work Envelope
One of the most critical considerations is the area that the robot can reach.
SCARA robots typically have a work envelope shaped like a cylinder, which comes in different depths and diameters. The total length of both the arms determines the diameter of the work envelope, while the Z-axis motion defines the depth of the cylinder.
SCARA robots can only work on the front and side, but some designs also come with bottom exits, which enable them to work behind the robot.
Repeatability
Perhaps the most important feature of SCARA robots is their repeatability.
Industrial robots usually have errors at X-Y position because of two motors at the J1 and J2. Some robots have more than two motors, which contributes to more errors. The more motors there are, the higher chances of error occurring at the X-Y position.
However, SCARA robots have excellent repeatability, which minimizes errors at this position. This is crucial in small assembly lines where the tolerances are required within several microns.
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