Pros and Cons of Industrial Robots in Additive Manufacturing

Advances in non-planar, multi-axis, and hybrid material extrusion additive manufacturing techniques increasingly demand active nozzle orientation control. Industrial articulated robot arms are commonly implemented for repetitive manufacturing tasks and these arms are becoming a common choice of motion platform for additive manufacturing given their ubiquity and flexibility. Here we explore the pragmatic benefits and challenges of using industrial robotic arms for extrusion additive manufacturing. While robotic arms from established manufacturers are highly capable, recent offerings are more easily integrated and safer, while providing the same or improved capabilities as the more traditional models.