How many lanes are really needed? The fourth one costs three times as much
The question comes up in every negotiation, as punctual as taxes: "How many axes do we need?" And immediately after, the proposal that costs more than all: "Let's add one more, just in case." Those who work in industrial automation for a few years have heard that phrase like a bell: because an added axis to a Cartesian robot is not a catalog option, it's a kinematic decision. And decisions…
When discussing industrial automation, a common question arises: how many axes are needed? Adding an extra axis to a Cartesian robot is not a simple option, as it affects the robot's kinematics, stiffness, and cost. A fourth axis, typically a rotary axis, is often added to change the orientation of a piece, but if the cycle doesn't require rotation, the extra axis only adds mass, reducing the robot's performance.
The decision to add an axis should be based on the specific cycle requirements, not on fear or catalog options, and should consider factors such as stiffness, testing, and maintenance costs.
Written by urgent.news from Dev.to's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.