Optimization of energy consumption in industrial robots, a review

Abstract

Optimization of energy consumption in industrial robots can reduce operating costs, improve performance and increase the lifespan of the robot during part manufacturing. Choosing energy-efficient components such as motors, drives, and controllers can significantly reduce energy consumption in industrial robots. Over-sized motors and heavy robot arms can waste energy and decrease efficiency of industrial robots. By optimizing the robot programs and reducing idle time in robot operations, the amount of spent time can be reduced to minimize energy consumption of industrial robots. By using energy-efficient motors and drives, the amount of energy consumed by the robot can be reduced. Also, regular maintenance can reduce energy consumption of industrial robots by providing maximum efficiency for the robot's components. By implementing energy management systems, energy consumption of industrial robot can be monitored and analyzed to optimize energy consumption of industrial robot during working conditions. To minimize lost energy and reuse the energy usage during working times, regenerative braking can be used in the robots. The process of part manufacturing can be optimized in order to minimize the robot's movements and energy usage during working times of industrial robots. To analyze and optimize energy consumption in working schedules of industrial robots, different methodologies from recent published papers are reviewed in the study. Proper robot selection, energy-efficient robot motor and low wight robot arms, efficient programming of working schedules, regenerative braking system, regular maintenance of robot elements and optimized process of part production regarding the minimization of energy usage are discussed to optimize the energy consumption in industrial robots. As a result, future research works in the research field can be presented in order to optimize energy consumption, reduce operational costs, and increase sustainability of industrial robot operations in terms of productivity enhancement of part manufacturing.