Modern manufacturing relies on a variety of specialized automation equipment. Understanding what each component does and when to apply it helps make informed decisions about automation investments. This guide covers the major categories of industrial automation equipment.

Industrial Robots

Industrial robots are programmable machines that manipulate parts and tools to perform manufacturing tasks. They're the most visible element of many automation systems.

Articulated Robots

Six-axis articulated robots resemble a human arm with rotational joints. They offer:

  • Maximum flexibility and reach
  • Ability to access parts from multiple angles
  • Complex path capabilities
  • Typical payloads from 5 to 500+ kg

Articulated robots dominate welding, material handling, and assembly applications. Leading manufacturers include FANUC, ABB, KUKA, and Yaskawa.

SCARA Robots

Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arms (SCARA) have horizontal arm motions ideal for:

  • Pick-and-place operations
  • Assembly tasks
  • Packaging applications
  • High-speed, moderate-payload work

SCARA robots excel when speed is critical and vertical motion is limited.

Delta Robots

Delta or parallel robots use three arms connected to a common platform. Benefits include:

  • Extremely high speeds (150+ picks per minute)
  • Excellent for light payloads (typically under 5 kg)
  • Perfect for food, pharmaceutical, and electronics packaging
  • Overhead mounting maximizes floor space

Collaborative Robots

Cobots are designed for safe operation near humans without traditional guarding:

  • Power and force limiting prevents injury
  • Easy programming through teach pendants or hand guidance
  • Lower initial cost than traditional robots
  • Ideal for human-robot collaboration tasks

Cobots suit applications where complete automation isn't practical or cost-effective.

Cartesian Robots

Also called gantry or linear robots, these use linear axes:

  • XY or XYZ configurations
  • Large work envelopes possible
  • Simpler programming than articulated robots
  • Cost-effective for many applications

Cartesian systems excel in large-area material handling and palletizing.

Servo Presses and Joining Equipment

Servo presses provide controlled force application for assembly and forming operations.

Electric Servo Presses

Motor-driven presses offer:

  • Precise force control throughout stroke
  • Programmable force-position profiles
  • Complete process data capture
  • Clean operation (no hydraulic fluid)
  • Energy efficiency

Applications include press-fit assembly, forming, clinching, and staking.

Pneumatic Presses

Air-powered presses are simpler and lower cost:

  • Fixed force based on air pressure
  • Adequate for less critical applications
  • Lower maintenance requirements
  • Faster cycle times for simple operations

Hydraulic Systems

For high-force applications:

  • Tonnage exceeding electric press capabilities
  • Forming and stamping operations
  • Compact size for force generated
  • Proven technology

Fastening Systems

Automated screwdriving and nut running systems:

  • Torque-controlled tightening
  • Angle monitoring for joint verification
  • Automatic fault detection
  • Complete traceability data

Critical for automotive and aerospace assembly where fastener integrity is essential.

Conveyors and Material Handling

Material handling equipment moves products between operations.

Belt Conveyors

Continuous belts move products smoothly:

  • Variable speed control
  • Gentle handling for sensitive products
  • Economical for long distances
  • Incline capability with cleated belts

Roller Conveyors

Rollers support and move products:

  • Powered or gravity-driven
  • Accumulation capability
  • Easy integration with transfers
  • Zone control for product spacing

Pallet Conveyors

Pallets carry products through workstations:

  • Precise positioning at stations
  • Easy product changeover via pallet tooling
  • Accumulation between operations
  • Lift-and-locate for station accuracy

Pallet systems dominate assembly automation where products must be precisely fixtured.

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

Self-guided vehicles transport materials:

  • Flexibility—routes can be changed
  • No fixed infrastructure required
  • Integration with warehouse systems
  • Autonomous navigation technologies

Gantry Systems

Overhead gantry robots for large-area handling:

  • Long travel distances
  • Heavy payload capability
  • Multiple stations served by one system
  • Floor space preserved

Vision Systems

Machine vision provides automated inspection and guidance.

2D Vision Cameras

Standard cameras for:

  • Part presence/absence verification
  • Orientation detection
  • Dimensional measurement
  • Defect detection
  • Barcode and character reading

3D Vision Systems

Depth sensing enables:

  • Bin picking of randomly oriented parts
  • Volume and surface measurement
  • Complex inspection applications
  • Robot guidance in three dimensions

Vision Technologies

Different sensing approaches suit different applications:

  • Area scan cameras capture complete images quickly
  • Line scan cameras build images line-by-line for continuous products
  • Structured light projects patterns for 3D measurement
  • Time-of-flight measures distance directly
  • Thermal cameras detect temperature variations

Vision Integration

Vision systems connect to automation through:

  • Direct robot interface for guidance
  • PLC communication for pass/fail results
  • Database storage for images and data
  • MES integration for traceability

Machine vision systems are essential for quality assurance in automated manufacturing.

Control Systems

Controls are the brain of automation systems.

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)

PLCs are industrial computers designed for manufacturing:

  • Reliable operation in harsh environments
  • Real-time control with deterministic timing
  • Modular I/O for sensors and actuators
  • Programming in ladder logic, function blocks, or structured text

Major platforms include Allen-Bradley (Rockwell), Siemens, and Mitsubishi.

Industrial PCs

PCs provide advanced computing for:

  • Complex calculations and algorithms
  • Database and networking functions
  • Vision processing
  • Data analytics
  • HMI functions

Motion Controllers

Dedicated controllers for servo motion:

  • Multi-axis coordination
  • High-speed interpolation
  • Cam and gear functions
  • Integration with PLCs

Robot Controllers

Each robot brand has proprietary controllers:

  • FANUC R-30iB
  • ABB IRC5 and OmniCore
  • KUKA KRC4 and KRC5
  • Yaskawa YRC1000

Controllers handle motion planning, program execution, and safety functions.

Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs)

HMIs provide operator interaction with automation.

Touchscreen Panels

Mounted on machines for:

  • Machine status display
  • Recipe selection
  • Manual operation
  • Fault diagnostics
  • Production data

Industrial Monitors

Larger displays for:

  • SCADA systems
  • Production monitoring
  • Quality data visualization
  • Remote machine access

Mobile HMI

Tablets and smartphones enable:

  • Remote machine monitoring
  • Maintenance access
  • Production visibility
  • Alert notifications

Safety Systems

Safety equipment protects workers from automation hazards.

Safety PLCs

Dedicated safety controllers:

  • Fail-safe operation
  • Redundant processing
  • Certified to SIL/PL standards
  • Integration with standard PLCs

Light Curtains

Optical barriers detect intrusion:

  • Finger, hand, and body detection
  • Muting for material passage
  • Various heights and lengths
  • Integration with safety controllers

Safety Laser Scanners

Area monitoring devices:

  • Configurable warning and stop zones
  • Multiple zone memory for different operations
  • Mounting flexibility
  • AGV and mobile robot protection

Interlock Switches

Guard door monitoring:

  • Mechanical interlocking
  • Guard locking for hazardous energy
  • RFID-coded for tamper resistance
  • Integration with safety circuits

Emergency Stop Systems

E-stop devices and circuits:

  • Mushroom-head pushbuttons
  • Pull-cord switches for long machines
  • Safety-rated contactors
  • Circuit design per standards

Sensors and Measurement

Sensors provide feedback for automation control.

Proximity Sensors

Detect presence without contact:

  • Inductive for metal objects
  • Capacitive for non-metallic materials
  • Photoelectric for various applications
  • Ultrasonic for level and distance

Position Encoders

Measure position and speed:

  • Incremental for motion counting
  • Absolute for position memory
  • Linear and rotary types
  • Various resolutions and interfaces

Force and Torque Sensors

Measure applied forces:

  • Load cells for press force
  • Torque transducers for fastening
  • Multi-axis sensors for robot applications
  • Strain gauges for custom applications

Dimensional Measurement

Precision measurement devices:

  • Laser displacement sensors
  • Contact probes
  • CMM integration
  • Inline gauging systems

Choosing the Right Equipment

Selecting appropriate automation equipment requires consideration of:

Application Requirements

  • What task must be performed?
  • What precision is required?
  • What speed is needed?
  • What environment must equipment operate in?

Integration Factors

  • How will equipment connect to existing systems?
  • What control architecture is in place?
  • What operator skills are available?
  • What maintenance capabilities exist?

Economic Considerations

  • What is the budget?
  • What is the expected ROI?
  • What are lifecycle costs?
  • What is the resale or reuse value?

AMD Automation helps clients select and integrate the right equipment for each application. Our experience across multiple industries means we understand which technologies deliver results.

Need help selecting automation equipment? Contact us for a consultation. We'll evaluate your requirements and recommend the optimal equipment configuration for your application.