5G, or not to be?

That is the question, but what are the evolving connectivity options for robotic solutions?

Typical factory buildings and process and packaging facilities now contain various drive and robot systems that transfer workpieces from one process step to another while ensuring precise connectivity to ensure that they are precisely processed.

Stable and reliable response time without high latency is essential for controlling the measurement system, sensor or grippers on the last axis, the so-called end-of-arm tools, as well as for synchronisation and communication between the robots.

According to cables and connectivity company LAPP, ensuring optimum connectivity can ideally involve a combination of wired and wireless communication.

“These days the end-of-arm tool is connected using cable-based data communication such as digital I/O, I/O link or Industrial Ethernet (PROFINET). However, a combination of wired and wireless communication can be useful under certain circumstances,” said LAPP Australia General Manager Simon Pullinger.

“The choice of wired and wireless depends very much on the application. It is often not so much a case of one or the other, but rather choosing the most effective and flexible combination to ideally meet present needs and prepare for evolving technology,” Pullinger said.

Three reasons for the use of wireless technologies

1. The wear on the data network cables in their composite dress packs is high, with high dynamics and due to ever-increasing work spaces required for the robots. This increases the risk of the systems failing.
2. Small batch sizes and frequent conversion require flexible communication concepts that enable the components to communicate with one another in almost real time.
3. The elimination of data cables in the dress pack reduces the weight and allows the robot to move more dynamically.

What 5G has to do to replace data cables

• The control signals must reach end-of-arm tools such as a gripper in real time. It does not have to be at rest — Remote IO is wirelessly connected to the controller.
• The required latency of 4–8 ms must be complied with. This will be feasible using 5G in the future. To put it in context, today’s WLAN systems are limited to 10 ms.

Possible localisation of the gripper to up to ±0.5 mm is not yet possible with 5G, said Pullinger.

LAPP Australia has been established to deliver its resources, expertise and German standards to Australia to help prepare diverse industries for a future in which they will use technology to compete cost-efficiently. The company provides integrated systems which comply with the leading Australian, European and American compliance and quality standards.