Table of Contents
- BONSYSTEMS · CYCLOIDAL TECHNOLOGY
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- References
- Bonsystems
- 🔗 Inquire about partnership → www.bonsystems.com
Automotive manufacturing is a representative field where industrial robots have long been used. Various automation robots are used in processes that require high levels of repeatability and consistency, such as body welding, painting, assembly, and inspection, and this production environment has steadily created demand for core components such as reducers and actuators.
Automation in the automotive industry is not merely a matter of increasing the number of robots in use. Because robots must operate reliably for long periods and their drive units must be configured to meet various process requirements, the role of the components inside the robot is also becoming more important.
This article examines the main processes of automotive manufacturing automation, the role of industrial robots, the need for reducers and actuators, the expanding use of collaborative robots, and the applicability of the Bonsystems lineup.
The Core Processes of Automotive Manufacturing Automation
Key Summary Automotive manufacturing automation is widely used across processes ranging from body production to parts assembly and quality inspection. Because robots are deployed across multiple processes, automotive manufacturing generates steady demand for robot components.
Automotive manufacturing automation is widely used across processes ranging from body production to parts assembly and quality inspection. In the body welding process, robots perform repetitive welding along predefined positions and paths. In the painting process, robots are used to maintain consistent paint quality and reduce workers’ exposure to hazardous environments.
In the assembly process, automation robots can be applied to tasks such as parts fastening, transfer, and positioning. In the inspection process, robots combined with cameras, sensors, and measuring equipment are used to check product quality and condition. In this way, automotive manufacturing deploys robots across multiple processes, creating steady demand for robot components.
Automotive production lines are often operated for long periods, and the sequence of operations and motion paths is typically well defined. A robot therefore needs a drive unit that can reliably perform repetitive motions, and components such as reducers and actuators help support this type of automation environment.
Why Industrial Robots Matter in Automotive Manufacturing
Key Summary The reason industrial robots have been widely used in automotive manufacturing is that they are well suited to the characteristics of automotive production lines. Their ability to repeat predefined motions while maintaining consistent work quality is particularly important.
The reason industrial robots have been widely used in automotive manufacturing is that they are well suited to the characteristics of automotive production lines. Automotive manufacturing often requires the same tasks to be performed repeatedly, and the work position and sequence for each process are typically well defined. In such environments, robots must be able to repeat predefined motions while maintaining consistent work quality.
A multi-axis robot performs tasks such as welding, painting, assembly, and transfer through the coordinated movement of multiple joints. Each joint uses components such as reducers and actuators to convert the motor’s rotation into the torque and speed required for the task. For the robot’s motion to remain stable, the joint drive unit must withstand repeated loads and extended operating periods.
As automotive manufacturing becomes increasingly automated, robots are being used not only for simple repetitive tasks but also across a wider range of processes. Accordingly, it is becoming increasingly important to design drive units with factors such as the robot’s size, work radius, payload, installation space, and maintenance conditions in mind.
Why Collaborative Robots Are Reviewed in Automotive Parts Processes
Key Summary At automotive manufacturing sites, not only large industrial robots but also collaborative robots are being considered for use. Collaborative robots can be particularly useful for relatively small-scale tasks, such as part assembly, inspection, transfer, and pick-and-place.
At automotive manufacturing sites, collaborative robots are being considered for use alongside large industrial robots. Collaborative robots can be particularly useful for relatively small-scale tasks, such as automotive part assembly, inspection, transfer, and pick-and-place.
A collaborative robot is designed with safety features and ease of installation in mind so that it can operate in close proximity to workers. One advantage is that collaborative robots can be introduced gradually into selected processes without requiring major changes to the entire existing production line. In fields where product types are diverse and process changes can occur, such as automotive parts manufacturing, this flexibility is important.
However, a collaborative robot also needs a stable joint drive unit to generate reliable motion. For the robot arm to grasp objects, move them, and position them for inspection, each joint must maintain consistent torque and motion stability. Therefore, as the application range of collaborative robots expands, the importance of drive-unit components such as reducers and actuators also increases.
Bonsystems Drive Solutions Tailored to Automation
Key Summary In automotive manufacturing automation, the ability of a drive system to repeat predefined motions reliably over long periods is more important than movement alone. The Bonsystems BSR reducer and BCSA actuator can be applied to this type of drive-unit design.
In automotive manufacturing automation, the ability of a drive system to repeat predefined motions reliably over long periods is more important than movement alone. The welding, assembly, inspection, and transfer processes differ in their operating methods, but all require consideration of joint power transmission, installation space, and long-term operating conditions. For this reason, the configuration of reducers and actuators is an important design consideration when designing automation robots and dedicated equipment.
The Bonsystems BSR lineup is a cycloidal reducer product family that can be used in this type of drive-unit design. As a component-level solution that converts the motor’s rotation into the torque required by a robot joint or automation system, it is designed with stable power transmission in mind for equipment that performs frequent repetitive motions. Especially in structures where the internal space of the equipment is limited or joint size is constrained, the reducer’s profile and thickness can affect the overall design. The BSR is a reducer lineup that can be considered when designing a drive unit under these conditions.
Bonsystems develops drive solutions applicable to robot joints and automation equipment based on Pinless cycloidal reducer technology. The Pinless cycloidal reducer aims to reduce certain coupling elements used in conventional pin-based configurations and simplify the reducer’s internal structure.
This structure retains the high power-transmission capability and durability associated with cycloidal reducers while helping reduce the number of parts and simplify the assembly process. When the component structure is simplified, designers can more easily consider productivity and manufacturing efficiency, while also exploring applications in robot joints or automation equipment where the drive unit must fit within a confined space.
In addition, because the Pinless structure can support consideration of various reduction ratios and lightweight design approaches, it can be a suitable technical option for robots and automation equipment that require multiple joint drive units. In environments involving extended repetitive operation, where internal equipment space and maintenance efficiency must also be considered, such as automotive manufacturing automation, these structural advantages can be important criteria when selecting a drive unit.
When selecting a reducer for an automotive automation robot, it is important to consider the application process, installation space, required torque, repeated-motion conditions, and maintenance requirements together. Based on the BSR reducer and BCSA actuator, Bonsystems can propose a range of drive solutions, from reducer-level configurations to integrated drive-unit configurations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Why do automation robots matter in automotive manufacturing?
A. Automotive manufacturing is a production environment where repetitive tasks and consistent quality are important. Robots help ensure stable production-line operation by performing predefined tasks repeatedly and consistently.
Q2. What role does the reducer play in an automotive automation robot?
A. The reducer is a component that converts the motor’s high-speed rotation into the speed and torque required for the task. For a robot joint to reliably perform tasks such as welding, assembly, and transfer, the reducer’s torque output and durability are important.
Q3. What information is good to prepare when reviewing a drive unit for an automotive automation robot?
A. It is helpful to consider factors such as the application process, the size of the robot or equipment, the required torque, motion speed, installation space, operating time, and wiring layout. Based on this information, the suitability of each reducer and actuator specification can be evaluated more effectively.
Q4. Why does a slim drive unit matter in automotive automation equipment?
A. The robot joint, frame, wiring, sensors, and surrounding equipment are often arranged together within a confined space. When the drive unit is thin and compact, the internal space of the equipment can be used efficiently, and it can help provide greater flexibility for component placement when designing the overall system.
Q5. What does responding to various reduction ratios mean?
A. A robot or automation system requires different levels of torque and motion speed depending on the application. Supporting a range of reduction ratios makes it easier to select a drive-unit configuration that meets different operating requirements.
References
• [1] Bonsystems Official Website — https://www.bonsystems.com
• [2] International Federation of Robotics (IFR) — https://ifr.org
• [3] Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement (KIRIA) — https://www.kiria.org
• [4] Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy – Robot Industry Policy — https://www.motie.go.kr
