Delta robot: The unbeatable sprinter for picking light parts and food

Introduction: When speed means profit

In automation, there are categories of robots, and then there is the Delta robot. While the articulated arm is a robust worker for heavy tasks, the Delta robot is an unrivaled sprinter. It is a solution designed primarily for one thing: extreme speed and precision in picking (Pick and Place) light objects such as food, small parts or medicines.

In manufacturing industries where cadence (pieces per minute) is critical, the Delta robot is unrivaled. It can perform up to 300 operations per minute, which is unattainable for any other type of arm.

Main Section: Anatomy of Speed ​​and Design

The delta robot, sometimes called a "parallel robot," owes its speed to a unique design that is radically different from traditional articulated robots.

Principle and construction

Instead of the motors (drives) moving with the arm, in the Delta robot all the motors are fixed in the upper part of the frame. The movement down to the work surface is provided by three light, parallel rods (hence the name Delta, reminiscent of the Greek letter Δ). Since the arms are light and the heavy motors do not move, the robot has extremely low inertia. This allows it to change direction almost instantly and achieve high accuracy in the order of hundredths of a millimeter.

Key applications

Thanks to their speed and design that minimizes the risk of contamination (motors are on top), Delta robots are most widely used where high cadence is required. Typical industries are the food industry (sorting, packaging of pastries, sweets), the pharmaceutical industry (picking of medicines and small vials) and the rapid insertion of small components into assembly lines in electronics.

The Delta robot always works with a camera system that tells it in real time where on the conveyor belt the part it is supposed to pick is (so-called on-the-fly picking).

Delta robot vs. Articulated robot (Cobot)

It is important to understand that the Delta robot does not replace the articulated robot. It complements it.

• Speed ​​and load capacity: The delta robot is unbeatable in speed, but has a low load capacity (usually up to 3 kg). The articulated robot moves slower, but can handle heavy tasks (5 kg to 25 kg).
• Workspace: A delta robot has a limited, spherical workspace and works from top to bottom. An articulated robot has a wide and deep reach because it works in 6 axes.

Conclusion: If you need to pack 200 cookies per minute, you need a Delta robot. If you need to carry heavy parts, weld or operate a CNC, you need an articulated robot.

Grippers for Delta robots

Due to the speed and fragility of the objects being manipulated (often food), Delta robots use special types of grippers that minimize damage:

• Vacuum grippers: These are the most common choice for flat objects such as packaging or cookies. They use vacuum to grip quickly and cleanly.
• Soft Grippers: Ideal for unpackaged and deformable foods such as fruit or baked goods. The soft silicone conforms to the shape and won't leave marks.
• Magnetic grippers: For quick picking of small metal parts.

Conclusion: Unrivaled efficiency

The Delta robot is an essential element where efficiency is critical in the order of seconds and milliseconds. Its specific design allows it to operate with a speed and precision that transforms entire packaging lines. If your goal is to increase packaging capacity tenfold, the Delta robot is the right choice.

Are you planning to solve high-speed sorting and packaging? Visit svet-robotu.cz and learn about the grippers and vision systems that work with Delta robots.