Robot transfer units, or RTUs, are industrial machines used to automatically move materials between workstations.
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RTUs are often not limited to just material transfer but are also used to move robotic arms or other equipment along a linear track, enhancing the robot’s reach and flexibility in various applications. They pick up parts, components, or finished goods and transfer them to the next point in an assembly line or manufacturing process.
An RTU primarily consists of the following:
While an RTU itself does not include a robotic arm or end-effector, here are other essential components that work in conjunction with the RTU:
Basically, RTUS shuffle materials around along a guided path.
Here’s how they work:
Robot transfer units are rocking out in manufacturing environments where repetitive, precise movements are super necessary.
You'll find RTUs hard at work in many industries:
RTUs are heavily present on auto assembly lines. They lift and move components like engines, transmissions, and axles to workers at each stage of assembly. They can maneuver the heavy parts into tight spaces, which allows for highly efficient production lines.
Robotic transport units (RTUs) are changing the agricultural sector quickly, particularly in large-scale farming operations. They can automate tasks like transporting harvested crops, moving supplies and equipment, and even helping out in planting and seeding processes.
Their ability to navigate challenging terrain and work autonomously makes them a valuable tool for increasing efficiency — and reducing labor costs in modern agriculture.
In large warehouses and distribution centers, RTUs shuttle pallets and containers to and from storage locations up to 30 feet high. They can lift heavy loads at various heights, which vastly improves warehouse productivity and space usage
Some warehouses have fleets of hundreds of RTUs operating 24/7.
Even in healthcare, RTUs have found an important role. They’re used to move, sort, and store medical supplies, linens, and waste in hospitals and clinics. Some hospital RTUs can lift and reposition patients to aid caregivers.
Robot transfer units have quite a few advantages:
While robot transfer units solve many problems on the factory floor, they also present some difficulties:
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Integrating RTUs into your current factory setup may seem like a tall order, but don’t worry, we have some tips to help you out.
Let’s take a look:
In summary, a robot transfer unit is a super-efficient machine that can move parts and products around your manufacturing lines and warehouses safely. With a bit of planning, RTUs could be ideal for your operations. Just be sure to work closely with suppliers and integrators to integrate them smoothly.
At the end of the day, robot transfer units let you put automation to work for you in clever, innovative ways.
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Though the lines can often be blurred, robotics and motion control are not the same thing. They are closely related in many ways, but robots lean towards more “pre-engineered” solutions while motion control leans towards more modular solutions. This small but significant distinction poses a number of aspects for decision makers to consider when choosing the solution that is best for their process. Think about your answers to the following 10 questions and use them as indicators for your decision.
These questions are the building blocks for choosing between robotics and motion control. Use them when designing for your project and keep in mind that the answers are all relative and dependent upon your application.
Robots tend to be centered around a base, giving them a cylindrical or ball-like work envelope. Cartesian “robots” that break this mold do exist but they are in the minority. While general-purpose motion controllers can be used for robots, they lean more towards modular and linear mechanics that result in XYZ box-like work envelopes, with the rotary axes being moved instead of stationary.
Robots come in many shapes, sizes, and form factors. The controls can be significantly different from project to project. Modular mechanics are great for mixing and matching axes to optimize performance for the given requirements, because motion controllers are well-suited for controlling many different types of axes.
If your design happens to be a short-term project or a prototype, then having the flexibility of interchangeable, modular mechanics that can be swapped in and out can be a huge benefit. Singular pieces of motion control elements are easier to transfer among projects than fully-assembled robotic elements.
With a project that is confined to specific dimensions, modular mechanics are more flexible to different combinations and customization. Robot types like Cartesian, six-axis and selective-compliance-articulated robot arms (SCARAs) are better suited for projects that have a more generic size and space to work within.
Sometimes the needs of the various axes of motion in a project are vastly different. For example, in an XYZ system, X may require fast and inaccurate motions, Y may require slow and highly accurate motions, and Z may not have requirements for either but focus on force alone. Modular solutions can come with configurable and adaptable components to fit these requirements.
General-purpose motion controllers come with a dizzying array of capabilities, giving an almost unlimited selection of languages, form-factors and architectures to choose from. The design of robot controllers tend to be more focused on the purpose of the robots they are paired with, simplifying the process of choosing one.
It is common to see robots with six degrees of freedom that allow them a wide range of motion. If you have an application that will require the use of those six degrees of freedom, robotic control is probably the better option. Designing a system of modular mechanics to use the same DoF as the robot is possible, but can be a challenge.
Once you’ve implemented the robot, will you ever want to add on an extra axis or two? Robots are pre-engineered systems that do not offer much flexibility for adding on more axes later. Modular motion control, on the other hand, make that much easier to do. For example, an engineer could purchase an 8-axis controller and just two axes of mechanics. Later on, more axes could be added and later still, additional axes could be implemented again.
The implementation of other important factors such as machine control, remote I/O and data collection should all be taken into consideration when designing for your process. Many motion controllers have the ability to become “machine” controllers, which means they have the capabilities and processing power to handle more than just the motion control at the heart of the application.
Robots are easier to protect in extreme environments. Some even come predesigned for specific requirements, like IP69K. While not impossible with modular mechanics, there are numerous hurdles to overcome if they will be exposed to harsh environments.
Corey Foster is an application engineering manager at Valin Corporation, a leading technical solutions provider for the technology, energy, life sciences, natural resources and transportation industries. Valin offers personalized order management, on-site field support, comprehensive training and applied expert engineering services utilizing automation, fluid management, precision measurement, process heating, filtration and fluid power products.
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