The SCARA robot (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) was invented in 1978 by Professor Hiroshi Makino of Yamanashi University in Japan. The acronym SCARA stands for “Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm”.
The SCARA robot was designed to be a more efficient and flexible alternative to traditional industrial robots. The SCARA robot’s design allows it to move quickly and accurately in a vertical plane, while being more compliant in the horizontal plane. This makes it ideal for tasks such as picking and placing parts, and welding.
The first SCARA robots were commercially released in 1981. They quickly became popular in the automotive and electronics industries, where their speed and accuracy were essential for high-volume production.
Today, SCARA robots are used in a wide variety of industries, including:
- Automotive
- Electronics
- Food and beverage
- Packaging
- Material handling
SCARA robots are also used in a variety of research and development applications. For example, they are used to develop new manufacturing processes and to test the performance of new products.
The SCARA robot is a versatile and reliable type of industrial robot that is well-suited for a wide variety of applications. Its speed, accuracy, and compliance make it ideal for tasks that require high precision and repeatability.
Here are some of the key milestones in the history of SCARA robots:
- 1978: Professor Hiroshi Makino of Yamanashi University in Japan invents the SCARA robot.
- 1981: The first SCARA robots are commercially released.
- 1985: SCARA robots are used in the automotive industry for the first time.
- 1990: SCARA robots are used in the electronics industry for the first time.
- 2000: SCARA robots are used in a variety of industries, including food and beverage, packaging, and material handling.
- 2010: SCARA robots are used in research and development applications.
- 2020: SCARA robots are still a popular choice for industrial automation applications.