The book titled “Industrial robots & cobots: everything you need to know about your future co-worker” is a presentation of a decade of my experience in robotics that was gathered in one place. I am proud of its content, and I cordially invite you to browse through the topics discussed in the following chapters.

Chapter 1 – Introduction What do fridges and robots have in common? • Will the machines take our jobs? • Why should you learn to program robots • What to do when you don’t have access to a real robot? • Simulation programs and virtual robot stations

Chapter 2 – History of robotics The story behind the word “robot” • Henry Ford, the first cars and mechanical horse • Cocktail party in Connecticut • Unimate 1900 • Chevrolet Vega – what happens if the robotisation is overused • The first robot from Japan • How to pack chocolate pralines quickly? • Collaborative robots • Forecast for the upcoming years

Chapter 3 – Structure of industrial robots Components • Second-hand robots • What to pay attention to? • Degrees of freedom • Robot axes • Arm construction and drives • Calibration • Motion tracks and rotors – additional robot axes • Robots’ visual design • Colours used by manufacturers • Control cabinet structure • Teach pendant • Shelf-mounted robots • Gantry • Hollow Wrist • Cleanroom robots • Foundry robots • Palletising robots • Delta parallel robots • SCARA robots • Collaborative robots (cobots)

Chapter 4 – Industrial robot’s motion Joint Coordinates • Cartesian Coordinates • Forward kinematics • Inverse kinematics • Coordinates systems • BASE • TOOL • TCP • Part frame/User frame/Working frame • Arm configuration • Singularity • Robot motion • PTP • Linear • Circular • Motion approximation

Chapter 5 – Methods of programming robots Programming methods • ABB Rapid • KUKA KRL • Fanuc Karel • Yaskawa Inform • Online • Offline • RCS/RRS • Simulation software • Virtual reality • Teaching by Demonstration

Chapter 6 – Multi-robot workstations Robotised workstations • Simultaneous operation of multiple robots • Riveting of aircraft plating • Interlocking zones • Cycle Time • Production optimisation

Chapter 7 – Working safely with robots Asimov’s three laws of robotics • First fatal accident • Dangers in robot workplaces • Lock-out/Tag-out procedure • Types of stoppage • Collaborative robots • Autonomus mobile robots (AMR) • Collision tests • Methods of robot-human cooperation • ISO/TS 15066 • SIL and Performace Level • Safety measures

Chapter 8 – Conclusion What awaits us in the future? • Industry 4.0 • Artificial intelligence and machine learning • Image processing • Active safety systems • Robots among us

In my book, I explain all the important issues related to industrial robotics from the very beginning. In order to learn how to program robots, you need to have a deep understanding of various areas. I will demonstrate the best production robotisation patterns used by the automotive sector; starting from choosing the right robot, through programming, and ending on advice on how to avoid costly breakdowns and downtime. It took me a decade to acquire this knowledge; you can get acquainted with it in a few evenings.

Programming robots is a job that gives a lot of satisfaction, good earnings, and the opportunity to travel around the world. In “ordinary” programming, only the lines of abstract code are written. In robotics, after finishing work, you see a physical object made by a robot that implements your ideas. Watching an entire production line, where perfectly synchronised devices perform tasks according to your instructions, is satisfying to witness 🙂 This book will be particularly interesting for three groups of people:

Students – I explain how robots are built, I describe the principles of operation and how to move them. In the book, I avoid theoretical and mathematical descriptions. I prefer to show life stories, and then to describe problems on the basis of real experiences. Don’t have access to an industrial robot? No problem. I’ll tell you which industrial robot simulators will allow you to test the content of the book. These are the same applications that are later used in commercial work. Working with robots is interesting, but it is available only for a few. Employers require experience, which, most of the time, can be gained through attending a very expensive course. This publication will show you good practices and help you avoid costly mistakes. Thanks to it, learning how to program a real robot will be faster and easier.

Plant owners and managers – if rising labour costs made you think about robotisation, you surely know that it is a great solution if you want to improve product quality and keep costs under control. At the beginning, however, it requires considerable investments. The book will tell you what types of robots are available and where they can be used. You will find out what requirements they meet and what assumptions have to be made in order for them to be efficient and safe. With this knowledge, it will be easier for you to find a common language with an industrial robot integrator. Good communication is key to the successful implementation of robots suiting your real needs.

Or perhaps you are an employee of a factory where the first robot is being installed? Instead of being afraid of change, learn how to work safely with a new machine. Take advantage of this opportunity and gain qualifications that will give you a ticket to a better job perspective for the future. Instead of doing hard work, supervise the robot and make improvements to its work. The robots are very good at performing repetitive and accurate tasks, but their cognitive capabilities are still limited. Nowadays, more and more emphasis is placed on cooperation between robots and people. The position provided by the integrator is not always ideal. The opinion of an experienced employee who can find a common language with the robotic cell designers and robot programmers is invaluable.