Have you ever wondered what a 6th-axis robot is?

6th-axis robots, also known as articulated robots, are dynamic and versatile machines equipped with six degrees of freedom, enabling them to move with exceptional agility and perform intricate tasks across various industries.

With their precise movements and flexibility, these robots revolutionize automation, streamlining processes and driving productivity to new heights. 

If you've ever wondered about the capabilities and applications of 6th-axis robots, you've come to the right place. In this article, we will delve into the world of 6th-axis robotics, exploring their components, functions, applications, and more.

Whether you're a robotic enthusiast or an industry professional seeking insights, this in-depth guide will provide you with valuable knowledge on their various applications, benefits and advantages, as well as some even more powerful alternatives.

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What Is a 6th Axis Robot?

A 6th axis robot, also referred to as a six-axis robot or articulated robot, is a highly versatile and dynamic robotic system equipped with six degrees of freedom (DOF). 

This refers to the six rotational joints incorporated within the robot's mechanical structure. Each axis plays a crucial role in enabling the robot to move in multiple directions:

1. Axis 1 (Base): This axis controls the rotation of the entire robot arm horizontally. By rotating the base, the robot can reposition itself around a fixed point, allowing it to access different areas within its workspace.
2. Axis 2 (Shoulder): The second axis enables vertical movement of the upper arm. It allows the robot to raise or lower its arm, adjusting the height at which it operates.
3. Axis 3 (Elbow): Positioned in the lower arm, the third axis controls vertical movement at the elbow joint. By flexing the elbow, the robot can adjust its arm's angle, facilitating a wider range of movements.
4. Axis 4 (Wrist 1): This axis is responsible for facilitating the movement of the robot's wrist, allowing it to rotate left or right. The rotation of the wrist adds an additional level of flexibility and adaptability to the robot's end-effector.
5. Axis 5 (Wrist 2): The fifth axis enables the robot's wrist to tilt up or down. By tilting the wrist, the robot can adjust the orientation of its end-effector vertically.
6. Axis 6 (Wrist 3): The final axis controls the rotation of the robot's end-effector. This rotational movement allows the robot to position its end-effector precisely, aligning it with the target object or task.

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Types of 6th Axis Robotics

The two primary types of 6th-axis robots are industrial robots and cobots (collaborative robots). Industrial robots excel in heavy-duty applications, while cobots are designed to collaborate with humans. 

We’ll talk about each of those in more detail in the sections below.

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6th Axis Industrial Robots

Industrial robots are specifically engineered to handle demanding tasks within manufacturing environments. With their robust construction and advanced capabilities, they excel in applications that demand high payload capacities, exceptional precision, and rapid speeds.

These robots find extensive use in automotive assembly lines, electronics manufacturing, and material handling processes. From welding and painting to intricate assembly operations, industrial robots streamline production workflows and contribute to increased efficiency, consistency, and productivity in various industries.

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6th Axis Cobots

Cobots are collaborative robots that work alongside human operators to enhance productivity and safety. They are equipped with advanced sensors and safety features, allowing them to operate in close proximity to humans without the need for extensive guarding.

Cobots find applications in industries such as small-scale assembly, packaging, and quality control.

One remarkable example of a collaborative robot is the Kassow Robots KR series, known for its user-friendly interface and exceptional performance. These cobots are well-suited for a wide range of tasks and can be seamlessly integrated into existing production setups.

Check out Kassow Robots' collaborative robots to explore their capabilities.

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Common Applications

6th-axis robots find extensive and diverse applications, offering their precision and adaptability to streamline various tasks and processes. From intricate operations to handling and manipulation of objects, these versatile robots contribute to enhanced efficiency and productivity in a wide range of applications.

Let’s delve a little deeper into each of their different applications.

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Assembly Robotics

6th-axis robots excel in assembly operations, where they can precisely position and join components. Whether it's in automotive, electronics, or other industries, these robots ensure accurate alignment, efficient fastening, and consistent quality, streamlining production processes and enhancing product assembly.

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Packaging Robotics

6th-axis robots play a crucial role in packaging applications by handling tasks such as picking, placing, and palletizing items. With their speed, precision, and ability to adapt to varying package sizes, these robots optimize packaging workflows, improve throughput, and ensure consistent packaging quality.

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Robotics for CNC

When integrated with CNC machines, 6th-axis robots enhance the automation and efficiency of machining processes. They can load and unload workpieces, change tools, and perform intricate operations with high precision. The robots' dexterity and repeatability improve overall productivity and allow for complex machining tasks.

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Robotics for Pick and Place

The pick-and-place operation involves accurately picking items from one location and placing them in another. 6th-axis robots excel in this application, offering high-speed and precise movements to handle objects of various shapes, sizes, and weights. They streamline material handling tasks, reduce human error, and optimize production efficiency.

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Common Industries

The versatility of 6th-axis robots enables their widespread adoption across a multitude of industries. These robots find applications in various sectors where precision, speed, and adaptability are crucial, contributing to increased productivity and efficiency in diverse industrial settings.

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Automotive Industry

In the automotive industry, 6th-axis robots are extensively used for tasks such as welding, painting, assembly, and material handling. Their precision and repeatability enable efficient production processes, ensuring consistent quality and increased productivity on assembly lines.

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Metal Industry

6th-axis robots find wide application in the metal industry, performing tasks such as cutting, grinding, polishing, and machining. With their ability to handle heavy payloads and execute intricate movements, these robots enhance metal fabrication processes, improving efficiency, and achieving high-quality metalwork.

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Food & Beverages Industry

In the food and beverages sector, 6th-axis robots contribute to automation and efficiency in areas such as packaging, palletizing, sorting, and quality control. Their hygienic design and precise handling ensure food safety standards while optimizing production lines for improved throughput and reduced manual labor.

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Textile Industry

6th-axis robots play a vital role in the textile industry, particularly in processes like fabric cutting, stitching, and material handling. These robots offer speed, accuracy, and repeatability, enabling the automation of intricate textile operations, enhancing production capacity, and maintaining consistent quality in textile manufacturing.

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Benefits

The adoption of 6th-axis robots brings forth a multitude of advantages, revolutionizing industries across the globe. Consider the following benefits:

• Expanded Range of Motion: Six-axis robots offer an increased range of motion due to their independent motion in each axis. This flexibility allows them to access a larger workspace and reach every angle within a unit of space, making them ideal for taking over tedious, repetitive, or hazardous tasks.
• Versatility: Six-axis robots provide manufacturers with versatility in their production lines. They can be mounted in various ways, such as floor, ceiling, or wall, optimizing workspace utilization. Additionally, these robots excel in multiple applications like arc welding, spot welding, material handling, material removal, and assembly.
• Adaptability: Six-axis robots are highly adaptable to workpiece, application, or production changes. They can be easily reprogrammed and redeployed, making them suitable for industries with frequent product line variations. Vision systems integration further enhances adaptability by enabling on-demand part and location recognition.
• Cost-Effectiveness: The versatility and adaptability of six-axis robots translate into cost-effective investments. These robots can adjust to new manufacturing requirements, eliminating the need for purchasing new equipment or extensive employee retraining. With proper maintenance, they can provide a long-lasting solution, allowing companies to recapture their return on investment in a relatively short period.
• Automation of Complex Tasks: Six-axis robots have advanced to automate complex tasks effectively. Their flexibility, large work envelopes, programming capabilities, and durability enable them to handle intricate processes with accuracy, precision, and efficiency. From inspection to mixed bin picking, machining, and welding, these robots expand manufacturing capabilities by surpassing human capabilities.
• Enhanced Workplace Safety: Six-axis robots play a crucial role in enhancing workplace safety by automating hazardous operations. Their ability to handle dangerous tasks minimizes the risk of injury or harm to human workers. By taking over these high-risk tasks, six-axis robots create a safer work environment and promote overall worker well-being.

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Disadvantages

While 6th-axis robots provide immense value, it is important to consider their limitations, including:

• Speed Limitations: 6th-axis robots, due to their complex kinematic structure, may face inherent speed limitations. The additional axes add complexity to the robot's movements, which can result in reduced maximum speed compared to robots with fewer axes. This limitation could impact high-speed operations where cycle times are critical.
• Precision Limitations: Although 6th-axis robots can achieve impressive precision, their inherent mechanical complexity can introduce certain limitations in terms of repeatability and absolute accuracy. Factors such as joint play, backlash, and mechanical compliance may affect the overall precision of the robot, particularly when ultra-high accuracy is required in specialized applications.
• Cost: The versatility and advanced capabilities of 6th-axis robots often come at a higher cost compared to robots with fewer axes. The increased complexity of the robot's design, additional joints, and enhanced control systems contribute to higher manufacturing and maintenance expenses. This cost factor may impact the decision-making process for some businesses, especially for applications that do not require the full range of capabilities offered by 6th-axis robots.
• Lack of Range of Motion Compared to a 7th Axis: 6th-axis robots, as their name suggests, operate within a six-axis configuration, limiting their range of motion compared to robots with an additional axis. A 7th axis can provide an extra degree of freedom, enabling robots to access confined spaces, reach complex workpieces, or execute more intricate maneuvers. In certain applications that demand maximum flexibility, the absence of a 7th axis may restrict the robot's ability to perform certain tasks efficiently.

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Cost of a 6th Axis Robot

The cost of a 6th-axis robot is influenced by various factors, such as payload capacity, reach, application-specific requirements, and additional accessories. Investing in a 6th-axis robot encompasses not only the purchase of the hardware but also considerations for software, integration, and ongoing support.

With all these factors in mind, it’s no wonder that the price of these robots can often vary. The minimum price is around $15,000, but it can go up to $100,000 at the high-end.

Each component contributes to the overall cost of the system. It is crucial to evaluate your specific needs and consult with robotic experts to determine an accurate cost estimate. They can assess the requirements of your intended application, recommend suitable robot models, and provide insights into the associated expenses.

Working with experts ensures that you make an informed decision about the investment, taking into account not only the initial purchase cost but also the long-term benefits, maintenance requirements, and potential return on investment.

By considering all relevant factors, you can make a well-informed decision and select the most cost-effective 6th-axis robot solution for your specific needs.

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Alternative To The 6th Axis

Kassow Robots introduces an exciting alternative to traditional 6th-axis robots: the 7th-axis collaborative robot arm from the KR series.

Going beyond the conventional 6-axis design, this innovative robotic arm features an additional axis of rotation, unlocking increased degrees of freedom. With the 7th axis, Kassow Robots empowers users to tackle even more complex tasks and achieve a greater reach range.

The 7th-axis collaborative robot arm offers enhanced flexibility and versatility, expanding the possibilities for automation in various industries. Its extended range of motion allows for intricate movements and precise positioning, making it ideal for applications that demand intricate manipulations, assembly, or other sophisticated operations.

Explore the advantages and capabilities of Kassow Robot's 7th-axis collaborative robot arm on our website, and discover how this advanced robotic solution can revolutionize your automation needs. With the 7th axis, Kassow Robots brings a new dimension of performance and adaptability to the world of collaborative robotics.

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FAQ

What is the 6th axis on a robot?

The 6th axis on a robot represents the final joint in the robotic arm. It allows for rotational movement of the robot's end-effector, granting the ability to change the orientation or position of the tool or payload it holds.

This additional axis adds a crucial degree of freedom to the robot's movement capabilities, enhancing its versatility and expanding the range of tasks it can perform.

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What is a six-axis robot used for?

A six-axis robot is used for a wide range of tasks, including assembly, welding, material handling, packaging, quality control, and more. Its flexibility and dexterity make it suitable for various industries.

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Conclusion

In this comprehensive guide, we delved into the details of 6th-axis robots, exploring their components, functions, and diverse applications in various industries. We discussed the role of both industrial robots and cobots, shedding light on their common utilization in critical tasks such as assembly, packaging, CNC machining, and pick-and-place operations.

While 6th-axis robots offer a multitude of advantages, it is essential to consider their limitations, particularly when compared to the innovative 7th-axis alternative.

The 6th-axis robots may encounter speed and precision limitations due to their complex kinematic structure. Additionally, the absence of a 7th axis restricts their range of motion, potentially impeding their ability to access confined spaces or perform intricate manoeuvres with optimal efficiency.

However, Kassow Robots presents an exciting solution with cutting-edge 7th-axis robots. By incorporating an additional axis, these robots transcend the limitations of the traditional 6th-axis configuration, offering an enhanced range of motion, and excelling in tasks that demand utmost flexibility.

Kassow Robot's 7th-axis robots stand as a viable alternative that addresses the shortcomings of the 6th-axis robots while unlocking new possibilities for automation in industrial settings.

Whether you're considering industrial robots or collaborative cobots, Kassow Robots provides innovative solutions tailored to your specific requirements. Explore the possibilities and unlock the potential of robotics in your industry by visiting our impressive range of 7-axis products.

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