A SCARA robot is an assembly machine that installs parts or carries items. It is designed to mimic the action of a human arm and can be used in jobs from automobile factories to underwater construction. This tool is frequently utilized because of its speed, efficiency and low cost.
SCARA stands for Selective Compliant Assembly Robot Arm or Selective Compliant Articulated Robot Arm. A SCARA robot has a full range of motion on its X and Y axis but is bolted down and unable to move in the Y axis. It can be programed to perform precise jobs repetitively, such as installing a pin or carrying items from one location to another within its range of motion. In the field of robotics, the SCARA is considered more affordable than many of its competitors and is one of the most popular methods of automated assembly.
A SCARA robot is primarily used for assembly. They are used by manufacturers of everything from bulky automobiles to minuscule electronic items. It can be programmed to handle very precise installation work and cannot carry a great deal of weight, so the arm works best when handling small parts. These robots also can have their joints waterproofed in order to function in underwater construction. A SCARA's ability to be controlled remotely makes it a common feature of work sites that can be hazardous to humans, such as working with chemicals, or in environments with extreme conditions, such as a steel mill.
Considered to be relatively old in the constantly evolving world of robotics, the SCARA robot was developed in 1981 by the manufacturing company Sankyo Seiki. Since that time, it has become one of the most popular types of robots on an assembly line. Its closest competition is the Cartesian style robot. The Cartesian takes up much more space than a SCARA but can handle a heavier payload. The SCARA robot clearly does not excel at every job, but it gets high marks within its own niche.
SCARA robots are considered one of most important developments in assembly line technology because of their range of motion, speed and precision. By imitating the construction of the arm, elbow and wrist, the SCARA performs many tasks in a fraction of the time it would take a human. Whether constructing something intricate, such as a computer motherboard, or large and hulking, such as the frame of an 18-wheel semi truck, this tool helps increase production and lower costs because of its efficiency.
