Polar robots are robot configurations with a combined linear joint and two rotary joints, with an arm connected to a robotic base and a twisting joint. Also known as spherical robots, the axes create a spherical work envelope and a polar coordinate system. Spherical robots are well-known in the history of robotics. This is because the first industrial robot, Unimate, was a spherical robot created back in the 1960s. Even with only three axes, spherical robots significantly increased production over manual, human labor enough for industrial manufacturers to seek them out. This rush to purchase this new robotic technology started the industrial robot revolution and was the precursor of six-axis robots and many other advancements in industrial robotics.

 

There are many basic applications for spherical robots, such as:

 

• Machine tool handling

 

• Spot welding

 

• Assembly operations

 

• Fettling machines

 

• Diecasting

 

• Gas welding

 

• Painting

 

• Arc welding

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​Contact Midwest Engineered Systems to learn how we can analyze your current production systems and develop a robotic automation system that increases productivity and efficiency!