FEATURE Robotics
Robot arms in surprising applications
Barry Weller, Robotics Product Manager at Mitsubishi Electric, presents the unusual uses of articulated arm robots that are revolutionising the lives of food and art enthusiasts, adrenaline lovers, building sites and a lot more
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ix-axis robots are widely used in industrial settings such as manufacturing, assembling and packaging. However, there are
many more applications where robotic arms can be used to achieve truly spectacular results, one of which in sci-fi films. Among robots resembling humans, dogs, spiders, squids, sharks and even dinosaurs, the movie studios regularly resort to using six-axis articulated arms. The masterminds behind Jurassic Park, for example, chose the iconic Mitsubishi Electric Movemaster RV-M2, which gently rotated dinosaur eggs and steadied them when they were about to hatch. Also related to television are commercials where robots are cast as performers, to demonstrate their quickly- learned tasks, but also found behind the cameras. Thanks to their multiple axes, high speed and payload, motion control camera robots can move around a scene quickly, capturing images in sharp focus even from the most challenging angles, helping videographers and directors obtain the high-quality footage they are looking for. Hence, these robots are ideal for time-lapse photography, stop- motion animation projects, chromakey composite shots, focus pullers as well as sports, live events and news broadcasting.
The Bot in Botticelli Robots are even found in a wide range of creative processes – particularly visual art forms, such as paintings and sculptures, which utilise robots to introduce new and innovative techniques. For example, some artists use them to 3D-print uniquely-shaped components or works. As part of one such project, Mitsubishi Electric’s MELFA RV-7FLM system was adopted by the Centre for Fine Print Research (CFPR) at the University of the West
40 May 2022 | Automation
Figure 1: A robot cooks up a storm in Moley Robotics’s kitchen designs
of England, Bristol. In particular, the robot is helping the CFPR researchers to investigate technologies and techniques to sense and manipulate materials dynamically, rather than deposit them in fixed, rigid or machine-like ways. Combining articulated robotic arms with 3D printing helps push materials to their limits.
The flexibility of robotic systems is also supporting the creation of highly- interactive displays in museums, where visitors can take part in hands-on demonstrations.
Gripping amusement For thrill seekers, robots are used in virtual rides to enhance the experience. Large, heavy-duty articulated solutions, similar to those employed in automotive assembly lines, are used to recreate the sensation of riding a rollercoaster in a limited footprint. Combined with virtual reality headsets or 360° HD screens, robots can create uniquely immersive, adrenaline-fuelled adventure rides. Even more, such innovative setups make the installation of new attractions quick, easy and, more importantly, achievable in any location.
More than a food processor Robotic arms have been known to be the perfect drinks mixologists, barristas or even chefs; see Figure 1, above. Mitsubishi Electric’s articulated robotic systems have cooked up pizzas and cakes and brewed hot beverages. In its last year’s festive video, Mitsubishi Electric showed one of its articulated-arm robots bake gingerbread biscuits to perfection. Once baked, the robot took them out of the oven and decorated a Christmas tree with them.
Building a better future Articulated-arm robots are already used on some building construction sites – they lift and lay bricks with extreme accuracy. All in all, with their ability to retrieve, hold and manipulate objects, their applications are limitless. Mitsubishi Electric prides itself on being able to develop automated systems to solve any challenge, by fi nding innovative ways to benefit any industry or application.
https://gb.mitsubishielectric.com/ CONTACT:
Mitsubishi Electric
automationmagazine.co.uk
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