To fully understand  the unique advantages of the Delta robot technology, we must first understand the limitations of conventional robotics. The mobile structure of a conventional robot resembles a human arm with segments such as the shoulder, arm, and forearm.  It is an open chain made up by a succession of segments bound together by links of one degree of freedom.  Each joint of the robot arm must be driven by an actuator located directly at the joint or on one of the preceding segments; in the latter case, a transmission mechanism is also required between the actuator and the related joint. As a result, conventional robotics must carry and move the large masses of the actuators and transmission mechanisms, which significantly reduces production speed.

In order to solve this problem, Bosch Packaging Technology SA has developed  the Delta robot into an innovative solution for the packaging industry with some very unique advantages.  The mobile structure of a Delta robot resembles an upside down tripod.  The robot segments are not in succession as is typical with conventional robots; instead the segments form three closed loops, called joint plan polygons. This kind of robotics is called parallel geometry robotics where all joints of a loop are dependent on each other and therefore each joint has the ability to change the position of the entire polygon structure. With this kind of polygon structure, an actuator is not required at every joint, and in addition, it is possible to locate the required actuators so that they are in fixed positions and do not move with the polygon structure. As a result, all large masses have been removed   from the moving structure and the Delta robot arms are able to move at exceptional accelerations - up to 10 times the speed of gravity.

In addition to the advantages of the parallel axis geometry of the Delta Robot, significant advancements in material science have made the Delta robot more robust and ideal for the packaging industry.   All of the robot segments (arms, forearms, and joints) are made from composite materials designed for strength and long life.  None of the joints require lubrication and each joint has extremely low wear characteristics.

The recognition of parallel axis robot technology is creating major breakthroughs in robotic applications. The fast and accurate pick-and-place Delta Robot is opening new opportunities in the consumer, food and pharmaceutical industries.