COBOTS & AUTOMATION INDUSTRY DICTIONARY PART 2: TERMS D–F
- FAIRINO USA
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
🔤 D
Data Acquisition (DAQ)
The process of collecting real-world data (signals, measurements) from sensors and converting it into digital form for analysis.
Used in:
Monitoring robot performance
Predictive maintenance
Quality control systems
Example: Collecting torque data from a robotic joint to detect wear.
Industry Insight: DAQ systems are critical in Industry 4.0 environments, enabling real-time analytics.
Deadband
A range in which input changes do not produce output changes.
Purpose:
Prevent oscillation
Reduce unnecessary system response
Example: A robot ignoring micro-movements within ±0.01 mm tolerance.
Degrees of Freedom (DoF)
The number of independent movements a robot can perform.
Standard robotic arm: 6 DoF
(X, Y, Z + roll, pitch, yaw)
Advanced systems: 7+ DoF (for redundancy and flexibility)
Example: A 6-DoF cobot assembling parts in multiple orientations.
Denavit–Hartenberg Parameters (DH Parameters)
A standardized method to describe the geometry of robotic arms.
Defines:
Joint angles
Link lengths
Offsets
Used in:
Kinematic modeling
Simulation software
Digital Input/Output (Digital I/O)
Binary signals used for communication between devices.
States:
ON/OFF (1/0)
Example:
Input: Sensor detects object
Output: Robot activates gripper
Digital Signal
A discrete signal represented in binary form.
Preferred in modern automation due to:
Noise resistance
Reliability
Digital Twin
A virtual replica of a physical system used for simulation, monitoring, and optimization.
Applications:
Robot path simulation
Factory layout optimization
Predictive maintenance
Example: Simulating a robotic welding process before deployment.
Stat: Digital twin adoption in manufacturing is growing at ~30–35% annually.
Direct Drive System
A motor directly connected to a joint without gears.
Advantages:
High precision
No backlash
Disadvantages:
Higher cost
Larger motor size
Drive (Robot Drive System)
A system that powers robot movement.
Types:
Electric drives (most common in cobots)
Hydraulic drives (heavy-duty robots)
Pneumatic drives (simple tasks)
Duty Cycle
The percentage of time a system operates within a given period.
Example:
A robot running 45 minutes per hour → 75% duty cycle
Importance:
Determines motor lifespan
Affects system efficiency
Dynamic Load
The load experienced during motion.
Higher than static load due to:
Acceleration forces
Momentum
Dynamic Programming (Robotics Context)
A computational approach used in optimization and path planning.
🔤 E
Edge Computing
Processing data locally at or near the source instead of relying on cloud systems.
Benefits:
Low latency
Increased reliability
Reduced bandwidth usage
Example: A cobot processing vision data directly onboard.
Encoder
A sensor that measures position, speed, or direction of motion.
Types:
Absolute encoder
Incremental encoder
Example: Tracking joint rotation in a robotic arm.
End Effector
The device attached to the robot’s wrist that interacts with the environment.
Types:
Grippers
Welding torches
Screwdrivers
Vacuum tools
Example: A vacuum gripper picking boxes in a warehouse.
Industry Insight: End effectors account for a significant portion of customization in automation systems.
End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT)
Another term for end effectors, commonly used in industrial settings.
EtherCAT
A high-speed industrial Ethernet protocol used for real-time communication.
Advantages:
Ultra-low latency
High synchronization accuracy
Widely used in robotics and motion control.
Ethernet/IP
Industrial communication protocol based on Ethernet.
Used for:
PLC communication
Robot integration
Error Recovery
Process of restoring system operation after a fault.
Example: Restarting a robot after a collision stop.
Emergency Stop (E-Stop)
A safety mechanism that immediately halts all operations.
Mandatory in all robotic systems
Energy Consumption (Robotics)
Amount of power used by a robot system.
Trend: Cobots are designed for energy efficiency.
Exoskeleton (Industrial Robotics)
Wearable robotic systems that assist human movement.
Used in:
Manufacturing
Logistics
🔤 F
Factory Automation
The use of control systems and robotics to automate manufacturing processes.
Components:
Robots
PLCs
Sensors
Software systems
Fail-Safe Design
A design approach ensuring systems default to a safe state during failure.
Example: Robot stopping when power is lost.
Feedback Loop
A system where outputs are fed back into inputs for control.
Essential for:
Precision
Stability
Fieldbus
A communication system for industrial devices.
Examples:
PROFIBUS
Modbus
CANopen
Firmware
Low-level software embedded in hardware.
Controls:
Motors
Sensors
Controllers
Flexibility (Automation Context)
Ability of a system to adapt to different tasks.
Cobots excel here compared to traditional robots.
Force Control
A control method where robots regulate applied force instead of position.
Used in:
Assembly
Polishing
Human interaction
Example: A cobot tightening screws with controlled torque.
Force/Torque Sensor
Measures forces and torques at the robot’s end effector.
Enables:
Precision assembly
Safe human interaction
Forward Kinematics
Calculation of end-effector position based on joint parameters.
Opposite: Inverse kinematics
Frame (Coordinate Frame)
A reference system used to define positions and orientations.
Free Drive Mode
A cobot feature allowing manual movement by the operator.
Used for:
Teaching positions
Quick setup
Functional Safety
Safety systems ensuring proper operation under fault conditions.
Governed by standards like:
ISO 13849
IEC 61508
Friction Compensation
Technique used to improve motion accuracy by counteracting friction effects.
Fully Autonomous System
A system capable of operating without human intervention.
Still limited in complex industrial environments
