Hardware components

 

 

About this topic

This topic describes the following BenchBot Robot hardware features:

•	Robot components

•	Power and communication

•	Emergency-stop pendant

•	Status light

•	Teaching plate

•	Regrip station

Robot components

The BenchBot Robot consists of the following:

•	Main components

•	Arm components

•	Joints and mast

•	Teach button

•	Z-axis brake release button

Main components

 

 

 

Item	Name	Description
1	Mast, or z-axis	The vertical structure along which the robot arm moves up and down.
2	Arm	The appendage that consists of the bicep, forearm, hand, and grippers.
3	Base	The plate at the bottom of the mast that attaches the robot to the target surface.

Arm components

 

 

 

Item	Name	Description
4	Bicep	The upper segment of the arm that moves up and down along the mast.
5	Forearm	The lower segment of the arm that rotates about the elbow.
6	Hand	The component of the robot that rotates about the wrist.
7	Grippers	The two finger-like structures that open and close to pick up or place labware.

Joints and mast

 

 

 

Item	Name	Description
8	Shoulder	The joint that connects the robot arm to the mast. The arm rotates 186° about the shoulder.
9	Elbow	The joint that connects the bicep and the forearm. The forearm rotates 336° about the elbow.
10	Wrist	The joint that connects the forearm to the hand. The hand rotates to any angle about the wrist.
11	Mast, or z-axis	The vertical structure along which the robot arm moves up and down.

Teach button

 

 

Item	Name	Description
12	Teach button	The button at the top of the robot hand allows you to set teachpoints. The button also allows you to grip and release labware in the teach mode. For instructions on how to set teachpoints, see Setting teachpoints.

Z-axis brake release button

 

 

Item	Name	Description
13	Z-axis brake release button	The button below the bicep that turns off the z-axis brake and allows you to move the robot arm manually along the z-axis. WARNING The robot arm weighs approximately 7.5 kg (16.5 lb). Be sure to support the weight of the robot arm when pressing the button. Failure to do so will allow the robot arm to fall freely, possibly causing personal injury, damage to BenchBot Robot, or damage to another device.

Power and communication

The panel on the lower left side of the mast hosts the following:

 

 

 

Item	Name	Description
1	Fuse holder	Contains two fuses.
2	AC power entry	Connects the BenchBot Robot power cord to an AC outlet with a grounded circuit.
3	Power switch	Turns on or turns off the robot.
4	Ethernet port	Connects the BenchBot Robot to the controlling computer.
5	Serial number label	Contains the serial number of the robot. You must provide this number when reporting problems to Automation Solutions Technical Support.
6	Auxiliary port	Not used. IMPORTANT Do not remove the jumper that is installed on the port. The robot will operate only if the jumper remains on the port. If the jumper is missing, contact Automation Solutions Technical Support.
7	Pendant port	Connects the BenchBot Robot to the emergency-stop pendant. Note: If the pendant is connected to an intermediary box that transmits or receives interlock circuit signals, connect the box to the robot using this 5-pin pendant port on the robot. For more information about the pendant port connection, see the BenchBot Robot Safety and Installation Guide.

Emergency-stop pendant

The BenchBot Robot is equipped with an emergency-stop pendant. Pressing the red button decelerates and stops the robot. The z-axis brake engages to prevent the robot arm from falling freely.

 

WARNING  After the motors are disabled, the robot arm might have momentum and continue to move until it comes to the end of its travel in the x-y plane, or until it bumps into an obstacle.

 

Workstation configuration. For safe operation, make sure you install the safety equipment that is purchased with the BenchBot Robot workstation configuration.

Standalone/component configuration. When the robot is integrated with other devices in a third-party system, Agilent Technologies recommends that you install a main emergency-stop button to cut power to the robot and all devices simultaneously.

For detailed safety information, see the BenchBot Robot Safety and Installation Guide. .

Status light

The blue light on the edge of the shoulder joint indicates the status of the robot. The following table lists the possible light patterns and the corresponding status description.

 

 

Light pattern	Description
Solid blue	The robot power is on, but the robot motors are disabled.
Blinking blue	The robot power is on, and the robot motors are enabled. The blinking blue light also indicates one of the following: • The robot is moving. • The robot is in the teach mode.

Teaching plate

Supplied with the BenchBot Robot, the teaching plate allows you to set teachpoints quickly and accurately. The teaching plate can be used for setting teachpoints in the landscape (1) or portrait orientation (2).

For instructions on how to use the teaching plate to set teachpoints, see Setting teachpoints.

Note: Most device locations can be taught using the teaching plate. However, if size restrictions at a teachpoint prevent the use of the teaching plate, you can use the labware intended for the location. For more information, see Setting teachpoints using a labware.

 

Regrip station

A regrip station is a platepad that the robot uses to:

•	Change the labware (landscape/portrait) or A1-well orientation between teachpoints that require different orientations.

•	Adjust its grip to the specified labware gripping height. The location is typically used after a robot picks up a labware lower than the specified gripping height because of physical restrictions at a teachpoint.

 

 

 

Related information

 

For information about...	See...
BenchBot Robot description	About the BenchBot Robot
Robot specifications	BenchBot Robot Safety and Installation Guide
Safety information	BenchBot Robot Safety and Installation Guide