Rizon’s Force Control Capacity - The Final Piece of the Automation Puzzle.

Hi LinkedIn Community,

Ever feel like you’re 99% there, but that last 1% is just out of reach? When it comes to automation, that 1% often makes the difference between success and failure, acceptable or unacceptable, and profit and loss.

At Flexiv, we understand that the small things add up to big things, and that’s why we’re changing the game when it comes to robotic control.

Get ready to explore the exciting world of adaptive force control! In this third article, we'll discover how it's transforming entire industries, not just individual projects.

Let’s get started!

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When it comes to automation, there can be no half measures. It’s either a hit or a miss, and when you're running a business, a miss can be costly both in terms of monetary value and reputation.

Getting something 100% spot on, every time, is not easy, especially when it comes down to robotic automation systems that rely solely on position control or hybrid position/visual control. If something is misaligned, even by 0.1 of a millimeter, a position/vision-based solution can really struggle to get the job done.

We know that in any production environment, errors are a fact of life, and that’s what prompted us to address the shortcomings of traditional solutions and design the Rizon range of adaptive robots.

From Nearly There to All the Way

Flexiv’s Rizon range of adaptive robots can complete delicate and precise tasks thanks to their unique proprietary torque sensor technology. These sensors, working in harmony, provide Flexiv’s robots with a superhuman-like sense of touch.

This enables a Rizon adaptive robot to:

• Be responsive: Whether it’s a person bumping into the robot, or the minute flex of a ribbon cable as it's inserted into a header connector on a cell phone's motherboard, a Rizon robot can instantly react to even the slightest change in force .
• Be programmed with force limits: Users can define the exact amount of force, down to a resolution of 0.03N, for each step required to complete a task. This helps ensure that even delicate workpieces or components remain in perfect condition.
• Be more reliable: By eliminating the need for expensive third-party compliant tooling, not only is Rizon’s deployment time significantly reduced, but its overall dependability is increased. With no complex external sensing accessories needed, Flexiv can guarantee reliability.
• Be more accurate: We all know you can't always believe your eyes, but did you know that the same is true for robots? Subtle variations in lighting, workpiece coloring, and shadows can confuse robots, which in turn can lead to positional errors. With a Rizon robot, it doesn’t have to see the object it interacts with; it can feel it. We do, of course, have full AI computer vision integration capability though!
• Be able to use off-the-shelf tools: Having an integrated force control capability and a universal mounting flange enables a Rizon robot to use practically any standard hand tool. This brings massive cost savings. A standard random orbital sander that can be used by Rizon is under 100 dollars, whereas a force-sensing sander for a collaborative robot will be around 3,800 dollars.

Real-World Examples: The Rizon Difference

Flexiv’s Rizon robot has been installed into countless production environments around the world. In the past six years since we launched the first Rizon, we’ve learned that our adaptive technology can significantly improve:

• Electronics Assembly: The Rizon can carefully insert delicate electronic components without the risk of damage caused by excessive force.

• Surface Treatment: Capable of applying the precise amount of pressure needed to achieve a flawless finish, even when a Rizon robot encounters surface irregularities, its automatic surface tracking capability ensures consistent results.

• Automotive Manufacturing: Robots equipped with force control can perform delicate and intricate tasks like installing dashboards, applying adhesives, and assisting in assembly processes alongside moving assembly lines.

• Healthcare: Force-controlled robots can provide precise and repeatable massages, complete dispensing tasks, or even assist in minimally invasive surgery.

To learn more about how Flexiv’s Rizon series of force-controlled robots can transform your automation processes and revolutionize your projects, visit our website , or contact us today!

Why Traditional Position Based Robots Miss the Mark

Collaborative robots are great. Without them, we wouldn’t have adaptive robots! However, as technology constantly progresses, just as CDs and DVDs can be compared to digital media, collaborative robots can be compared to adaptive robots. This doesn't mean collaborative robots are redundant, though.

In environments where production requirements don’t have to change and workpiece positioning is guaranteed 100% of the time, a collaborative robot would excel. Their strength lies in simple tasks, such as picking up solid objects or pressing a button.

Just like keeping a set of CDs in your weekend car's glovebox for old times' sake, there's a charm to using them. However, it’s not as seamless as connecting your phone to the stereo in your daily driver, and some inconveniences, like a skipping track, remind us of the benefits of newer technology.

If your production requirements change frequently though, or you want to manipulate delicate objects, or you require absolute precision, you’d be better off with an adaptive robot.

Simply put, adaptive robots can sense more than their collaborative forebears, giving them far more utility.

As cobots lack the basic skills of intelligence and sensitivity required for intricate tasks, their inability to precisely sense and apply force can lead to:

1. Product damage: Gripping objects with excessive force can cause delicate items to break or malfunction.
2. Incomplete tasks: Tasks requiring varying degrees of force, like polishing or assembly, become impossible to perform consistently.
3. Wasted time and resources: Inefficient task completion due to trial-and-error force adjustments leads to production delays and an increase in cost.

To explore how the two technologies differ, check out our two previous blogs:

• How Adaptive Robots are Revolutionizing Delicate Manufacturing Tasks
• Transforming Surface Finishing with 7-Axis Force-Controlled Robot with Omnidirectional Polishing/Grinding

Flexiv Rizon: The Future of Automation

The Flexiv Rizon represents a significant leap forward in robotic automation. By bridging the gap between sensitivity, precision, and control, businesses are empowered to fully automate almost any manual task.

From inserting press-fit or ‘pop’ connectors and ZIF connectors on cell phones, to using a basic off-the-shelf orbital polisher to shine a car, force sensitivity enables countless tasks to be automated.

To learn more about how Flexiv’s Rizon series of force-controlled robots can transform your automation processes and revolutionize your projects, visit our website , or contact us today!

Your automation partner,

Flexiv Robotics

Flexiv Robotics is a deep-tech company revolutionizing the automation sector. Powered by artificial intelligence, torque sensors, and human-centered design, our adaptive robots enable the flexible automation of complex tasks. ?? Connect with us at Flexiv.com →