What is robotic extrusion? Everything you need to know

What is robotic extrusion?

Robotic extrusion combines the precision of robotics with the versatility of extrusion to create intricate parts and products. 

Let's break down the key aspects of this technology:

• Automated material shaping: Robotic extrusion uses robotic arms to push materials through a die, which forms specific shapes. 
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• Precision control: Advanced sensors and software guide the robotic system, so you get pretty much exact placement and consistent output (nearly) every single time. 
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• You get your pick of materials: This process works with a wide range of materials, from plastics to metals and even food products.
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• Complex geometries: Robotic extrusion can create highly complex 3D shapes that would be difficult or impossible with traditional methods.

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The essential components of robotic extrusion systems

Robotic extrusion systems are complex machines with a series of parts working in concert.  

Here are the main components: 

• The robot itself: At the heart of it all, you've got the robot arm. This bad boy does the heavy lifting, quite literally.
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• Extrusion head: The extrusion head melts and pushes out the material.
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• Material feed system: You need something to feed the beast, right? This system keeps the extrusion material flowing.
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• Control system: This central hub tells the robot and other components what to do and when to do it.
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• End-of-arm tooling: These are the specialized tools attached to the robot arm, tailored for specific extrusion tasks.
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• Safety features: Nobody wants a rogue robot. These systems keep things running smoothly and safely.

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How robotic extrusion works

At its core, robotic extrusion is about pushing material through a die to create specific shapes. 

Let’s break down how that actually happens: 

• The robot arm gets ready: This isn’t a stiff, average robot — it's a highly precise machine that can move in multiple axes of motion with incredible accuracy.
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• Material feed system: Next up is the material itself. Whether it's plastic, metal, or even food, there's a specialized system that feeds the raw material into the extruder.
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• Extruder and die: The extruder forces the material through a die — think of it as a specially shaped opening. This is what gives the final product its form.
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• Cooling and solidification: As the material exits the die, it needs to cool down and harden. This step is extremely important for maintaining the desired shape.
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• Controlled precision: Throughout the entire process, computer systems are constantly monitoring and adjusting. This helps you make sure that every movement and extrusion is spot-on.
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• Putting on the last touches: Once the robotic extrusion is complete, you may apply additional steps like cutting or surface treatments to perfect the final product.

Benefits of robotic extrusion

Robotic extrusion brings some serious perks to the table.

Let's get into the main advantages: 

• Unbeatable precision levels: Robotic extrusion takes accuracy to a whole new level. These machines can produce parts with incredibly tight tolerances, way beyond what humans can do consistently.
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• Extremely fast: When it comes to churning out products, robotic extrusion is hard to beat. It can work pretty much 24/7, pumping out parts at a rate that'll leave traditional methods in the dust.
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• Lower waste levels: One of the coolest things about robotic extrusion is how it cuts down on waste. By precisely controlling the material flow, these systems use only what's necessary, saving you money — and helping the environment.

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Challenges and limitations of robotic extrusion

Robotic extrusion is a powerful manufacturing technique, but of course, it’s going to come with some significant drawbacks. Let's take a look at the main roadblocks you might face.

They are: 

• Big upfront costs: The price tag attached to robotic extrusion systems can make you reel back in horror. The initial investment includes equipment, software, and training costs, making it a significant expense before production can begin. 
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• It is not easy to learn by a long shot: Getting a handle on robotic extrusion isn't a walk in the park. You’ll need oodles of specialized knowledge and skills to program, operate, and maintain these complex systems effectively.

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Summing up

And that’s the lowdown on robotic extrusion. 

As things stand, this tech is definitely poised to keep changing things up in manufacturing, construction, and even food production. 

We’re talking about squeezing out materials with ultra-high accuracy or churning out complex shapes like it's no big deal. There’s a lot about this process that merits keeping an eye on.

And the best part? It's only getting better. As the tech evolves, we're bound to see even more mind-blowing applications pop up. 

If you want to get in on the automation action, we’ve got a solution for you to make implementing robotic extrusion a breeze. Read on to find out. 

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Next steps 

As robotic extrusion continues to evolve, businesses may wonder how they can adopt this cutting-edge technology without the heavy burden of costs and complexity. 

That's where the RO1 by Standard Bots comes in. It's the affordable, user-friendly cobot that's perfect for businesses of all sizes.

• Easy on your wallet: RO1 delivers incredible value, offering top-tier performance at half the price of comparable robots. You get the same efficiency levels at half the cost. 
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• Fast and strong: RO1's got a competitive payload capacity (18 kg) and moves like a champ. You’ll get way more stuff done in less time. 
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• Smart and simple: With AI on par with GPT-4 and a no-code interface, RO1 is a pleasure to use and was designed to be accessible for users with minimal technical experience.
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• Safe and sound: RO1s are packed with safety features like sensors, machine vision, and collision detection to keep your team protected.

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Ready to give RO1 a try? Reach out to our team today for a risk-free 30-day trial, and let us help you get started.