Classification: Cobot - collaborative robot in an industrial environment
A cobot is a robotic arm that can be designed to collaborate with humans in the workplace – however, the crucial factor is always the overall system consisting of the robot, tool, workpiece, and environment. Our product range offers suitable solutions from various manufacturers for different reach capabilities, payloads, and integration requirements.
Basics: What is a cobot?
Cobots are industrial robots often designed for easy commissioning and flexible reconfiguration. Programming is done via teach pendants, graphical interfaces, or guided learning, depending on the system. Whether a cobot can actually be operated without a separating safety device depends not on its name, but on the specific application and the safety assessment.
Areas of application and use cases
TypicalCobot applicationsThese include handling, loading and unloading, simple assembly, testing, and packaging. With a suitable end effector, process-related tasks such as dosing and sealing can also be implemented.Adhesive processes (gluing)or automated screwdriving. For more demanding processes such as welding, particularly careful design is necessary because additional risks arise from process energy, fumes, or spatter.
- Assembly and screwing: standardizing recurring tasks, stabilizing cycle times
- Logistics and intralogistics: Providing materials, order picking, palletizing in small load ranges
- Near-surface tasks: e.g.paintonly with a suitable process and safety concept
Advantages and special features
Cobots are frequently used where flexibility, space requirements, and adaptability are crucial. Depending on the manufacturer, different ecosystems for software, sensors, and accessories are available – for example, atKUKA,ABBorUniversal RobotsFor your planning, it is important to note: The “collaboration” is not solely created by the robot arm, but by the overall design including end effector, speed, layout and safety features.
Selection, purchase and comparison: what you should pay attention to
For a resilientCobot comparisonYou should formulate the requirements of your process as specifically as possible: workpiece weight, gripper weight, reach, cycle time, and available installation space. The key is...Cobot payloadThis includes tools, media routing, and safety reserves. Additionally, interfaces, control options, and the planned integration (e.g., vision systems, conveyor technology, or screw systems) determine the project's complexity.
- reachand installation situation: floor, wall or ceiling mounting, space at the workplace
- payloadIncluding tools: gripper, screwdriver, dosing head and cable package.
- PeripheryGrippers, sensors, safety components, mounting plates or stands
- Operating mode: Individual workstation, cell or mixed operation with clear process boundaries
Other typical questions
What does the price depend on?
The total price is not only determined by the robot arm, but also by the controller, software options, end effector, assembly, safety concept, and commissioning. Therefore, individual prices alone are only of limited use for comparison; it makes sense to look at the complete configuration that is suitable for your process.
How should "lightweight robots" be classified?
Lightweight construction, collaboration, and sensitivity are implemented differently by each manufacturer and are not automatically synonymous. What matters is the payload, range, and integration options you require, and how the application is implemented safely.
What is a "Kassow Robots CoBot 70"?
This is a 7-axis cobot model from the Kassow series. If you are looking for a comparable solution, you can use reach, number of axes, and payload as criteria to classify suitable alternatives in this category.
Is it possible to set it up on a table?
ACobot tableA setup like this is generally feasible if the substructure, mounting, and rigidity are suitable for the application's dynamics and the safety assessment includes the workplace. Often, a stable mounting plate or stand is the more robust solution to ensure process stability and repeatability.
You can find suitable accessories in our categories forDH Robotics Gripperas well as forDobot collaborative robot.
