Articulated Robot
An articulated robot is a robotic arm with multiple rotary joints, typically 6, that give it a wide…
Read DefinitionAutomation & Robotics Glossary
Automation has its own language, and it can get dense fast. Our automation glossary attempts to cut through the fog. Plain explanations of the robots, components, technologies and processes you'll encounter when researching an automation project. Each entry links to relevant application guides and, where it makes sense, to UK suppliers who specialise in that area.
A
ASRS
An ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System) is any mechanised system that stores goods in a def…
Read DefinitionAutomated Guided Vehicle (AGV)
An AGV, Automated Guided Vehicle, is a driverless transport vehicle that moves goods along a pre-det…
Read DefinitionAutonomous Mobile Robot (AMR)
AMRs, or Autonomous Mobile Robots, are a self-navigating robot that can move through a factory or wa…
Read DefinitionC
Cobot (Collaborative Robot)
A cobot which is short for collaborative robot, is a robotic arm designed to work alongside human op…
Read DefinitionD
Delta Robot
A delta robot is a parallel robot built from 3 lightweight arms connected to a fixed overhead base.…
Read DefinitionDepalletising
Depalletising is the reverse of palletising. A robot removes cases, bags or products from a loaded p…
Read DefinitionE
End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT)
End-of-arm tooling (EOAT) is what is attached to the end of a robot arm that makes direct contact wi…
Read DefinitionF
Fleet Management Software for AMRs
Fleet management software (FMS) is the system that coordinates a group of AMRs across a facility. It…
Read DefinitionG
Gantry Robot
A gantry robot, also known as a Cartesian robot, is an automated robot suspended from a fixed overhe…
Read DefinitionGoods-to-Person (GTP)
Goods-to-person (GTP) is a warehouse fulfilment method where automated systems deliver product or in…
Read DefinitionH
HMI
An HMI (Human-Machine Interface) is the screen, panel or touchscreen through which an operator monit…
Read DefinitionI
Industrial Robot
An industrial robot is a programmable, multi-axis machine used to automate manufacturing tasks such…
Read DefinitionIntralogistics
Intralogistics is the movement and management of goods, materials, and data within a single facility…
Read DefinitionL
Layer Palletiser
A layer palletiser is a palletising machine that builds a pallet one complete layer at a time rather…
Read DefinitionLiDAR
LiDAR, otherwise known as Light Detection and Ranging, is a sensor technology that emits laser pulse…
Read DefinitionM
Machine Tending
Machine tending is the use of a robot to load raw material into a production machine, such as a CNC…
Read DefinitionMachine Vision
Machine vision is a technology that uses cameras and image-processing software to let industrial equ…
Read DefinitionP
Pallet Pattern
A pallet pattern is the specific arrangement in which boxes, cases or bags are stacked onto a pallet…
Read DefinitionPalletising Cell
A palletising cell is the complete automated workstation built around a palletising robot, including…
Read DefinitionPalletising Robot
A palletising robot is an automated robotic system, usually a robot arm, that stacks products onto p…
Read DefinitionPick and Place
Pick and place is the general term for any automated process where a robot picks up an item from one…
Read DefinitionPick Rate
Pick rate is a warehouse productivity metric measuring how many items or order lines a picker comple…
Read DefinitionPLC
A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) is an industrial computer used to control machinery and automa…
Read DefinitionR
Robot Gripper
A robot gripper is a type of end effector designed to physically grasp and hold a part using mechani…
Read DefinitionS
SCARA Robot
A SCARA robot (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) is a 4-axis industrial robot with 2 horizont…
Read DefinitionSLAM
SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) is the process by which a robot builds a map of its env…
Read DefinitionV
Vacuum Gripper
A vacuum gripper is an end effector that lifts and holds a part using suction cups connected to a va…
Read DefinitionVision Inspection
Vision inspection is the use of machine vision systems to automatically check products or components…
Read DefinitionW
Welding Cell
In simple terms, an automated welding cell is a self-contained workspace built around one or more ro…
Read DefinitionWelding Fixture
A welding fixture (also called a welding jig) is a bespoke framework, usually with clamps, that will…
Read DefinitionWMS
A WMS (Warehouse Management System) is software that manages the movement and storage of goods insid…
Read Definition