The robotics lab, focused on industrial robotic arms, is designed to provide comprehensive training on automation and
programming of 4- or 6-axis anthropomorphic robots, with particular attention to the technologies used in Industry 4.0. Industrial
robotic arms are mechatronic devices designed to replicate the movements of the human arm and perform automated operations in
production environments. They are distinguished by their number of degrees of freedom (typically 4 or 6 axes), which determine their
flexibility of movement in three-dimensional space. The most common models include: »4-axis arms (SCARA): ideal for fast, precise movements
on a horizontal plane, used for assembly, positioning, and light handling. »6-axis arms (anthropomorphic): featuring greater freedom of
movement, they can operate in more complex spaces and perform intricate tasks such as welding, pick and place, assembly, and inspection.
Each arm is controlled by a dedicated controller and can be programmed using a teaching pendant or dedicated software (such as
MELFA BASIC or similar).
Integration with sensors and machine vision systems also enables automatic object recognition and dynamic adaptation of the
robot’s behavior.
Hands-on activities take place in a safe, controlled environment that replicates a real robotic cell, where students can interact
directly with real components such as:
»Mitsubishi, COMAU, ABB, or similar robotic arms;
»Electric grippers and pneumatic suction cups;
»Machine vision systems for object recognition;
»Simulation software and robotic languages (e.g., MELFA BASIC).
The hands-on experience is supported by advanced simulation software and a teaching pendant, which enables both manual and automatic programming, simulating real industrial operations such as:
»assembly;
»sorting, quality control;
»object handling.
The lab gives students the opportunity to:
»Understand the mechanical architecture and operation of industrial robots;
»Program robotic arms in both simulated and real environments;
»Use cameras for the automatic identification and selection of parts;
»Manage work cycles involving pick-up, positioning, and quality control;
»Operate with real safety systems and I/O interfaces;
»Analyze performance, cycle times, and movement repeatability.