• • • AUTOMATION • • •
means that end-customers are more likely to end up with robots that meet all their expectations and more; a sentiment that will be crucial in growing robotic adoption.
Risks, rules, and regulations Before any new robot installation, there are some ethical and legal questions that must be answered. What risk could the robot pose to a human in the case of an error or shutdown? Who is responsible for these errors? Relevant laws must be evolved and developed to
Developments in DC motor technology mean
that it’s possible to meet these requirements in ever-decreasing packages. Choosing a brushless DC motor over a brushed alternative often results in a more compact motor. And for applications with strict size requirements in one axis, ultra-flat motors are available. FAULHABER’s BXT flat motor series, for example, features an innovative winding technology that allows it to offer torques of up to 134 millinewton metres with a maximum diameter of 42 millimetres and a length of just 22 millimetres.
High resolution encoders help to support dynamic acceleration and deceleration, by providing the increased level of feedback necessary for more sophisticated control. And it’s possible to integrate these encoders, as well as speed controllers, within the housed motors for improved control while minimising drive system size. Careful consideration of each motor combined
with the integration of additional sensors into the drive system allows for more sophisticated robots, with all the functionalities required for their specific task. And taking such a design approach
meet these concerns. Emphasis in health and safety legislation is still very much on the employer to ensure safe conditions for all, but there’s still no explicit mention of robots. Furthermore, while it’s possible to test what’s essentially the hardware of the robot and prove its compliance with existing legislation, what about its ‘thinking’ capabilities? For the robots of the future, this is only likely to become a growing issue. We’re still waiting on what AI laws could look like, but the scope of these will certainly be a concern to both robotic manufacturers and customers alike. Potential and future adopters might be relieved
to hear that there are solutions to their concerns around robotics and automation. But with the underlying technologies developing at an unprecedented pace, it’s clear that we must start making use of the latest and greatest tools if we’re to compete on a global scale. Giving the UK a competitive edge is only possible if it takes advantage of these opportunities—before it’s too late.
Lower operating expenses
Our turnkey power control cabinet offerings can help reduce energy costs by around 10%
eurotherm.com/heattreat
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING •OCTOBER 2023 35
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