Across many discrete manufacturing industries, robots are increasingly important in terms of quality and reliability. In a Fluid Power Journal article, Transform Production With Fluid Power and Robotics, Emerson’s Sumit Kapde shares the importance of high-performance fluid power components in driving high-performance manufacturing.

Sumit opened the article by sharing impressive statistics that show that more than one million robots are used in the automotive industry alone. Pneumatic power plays a key role in the operation of these robots, and the components in end-of-arm tooling are vital for performance.

These components, placed at the end of a robotic arm, interact with the product or product elements to enable the robot to perform tasks, such as welding, painting or gripping. When combined with pneumatic power systems, end-of-arm tooling is key to making robotics effective factory automation tools.

Pneumatic power systems:

…offer high power density, reliability and robustness — all while supporting the need for improved efficiency, reduced waste and consumption — and they often provide a smaller footprint.

Sumit highlights a paint-spraying application. In this application:

…the paint’s flow must be controlled via a closed-loop monitoring system that can adjust the valve. A high-performance proportional valve, a type of solenoid valve that changes output values in proportion to input, can enhance efficiency by providing fast response and consistent control.

A high-performance flow and pressure regulator in paint robot applications:

…has a response time of below 80 milliseconds for a flow or pressure change. Customized solutions can add even more control, for example, with an external flow sensor for a closed feedback loop.

From a sustainable operations perspective, minimizing paint sludge is essential.

Paint sludge is a mix of materials composed of, among other things, resins, pigments, curing agents and organic solvents. It is a primary source of hazardous waste in auto manufacturing.

Technologies such as:

…solenoid valves, pressure regulators and proportional valves, can all play a role in reducing waste materials in these applications. For example, some proportional valves reduce the time required to change the flow of compressed air while painting various areas of the workpiece, reducing overspray and in turn lowering the formation of paint sludge.

Collecting and analyzing the data from these components and smart sensors can help improve performance.

Real-time visibility provides manufacturers with transparency into key process inputs, including air. This allows operators to monitor and analyze in real time so they can make effective, agile decisions about compressed air systems. When manufacturers incorporate real-time monitoring, they can identify and correct problems before they lead to downtime.

Read the article for more about improving real-time visibility, enhancing safety, and optimizing industrial robot performance. Visit the Factory Automation Solutions and Proportional Valves sections on Emerson.com for more information about proportional pressure and flow control valves that deliver precise output in challenging applications.