Programmable Universal Machine for Assembly

Unimate 500 PUMA (1983), control unit and computer terminal at Deutsches Museum, Munich
PUMA arm at NASA

The PUMA (Programmable Universal Machine for Assembly, or Programmable Universal Manipulation Arm) is an industrial robot arm developed by Victor Scheinman at pioneering robot company Unimation. Initially developed for General Motors, the PUMA was based on earlier designs Scheinman invented while at Stanford University.

Unimation produced PUMAs for years until being purchased by Westinghouse (ca. 1980), and later by Swiss company Stäubli (1988). Nokia Robotics manufactured about 1500 PUMA robots during the 1980s, the Puma-650 being their most popular model with customers. Some own Nokia Robotics products were also designed, like Nokia NS-16 Industrial Robot or NRS-15[1] . Nokia sold their Robotics division in 1990.

In 2002, General Motors Controls, Robotics and Welding (CRW) organization donated the original prototype PUMA robot to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. It joins a distinguished collection of historically important robots that includes an early Unimate and the Odetics Odex 1.[2]

The essence of the design is represented in three categories; 200, 500, and 700 series. The 200 series is a smaller desktop unit. The 500 Series and can reach almost 2 meters up. This model is the more popular design and is the most recognizable configuration. The 700 series is the largest of the group and was intended for assembly line, paint, and welding work.

All designs consist of two main components: the mechanical arm and the control system. These are typically interconnected by one or two large multi-conductor cables. When two cables are used, one carries power to the servo motors and brakes while the second carries the position feedback for each joint back to the control system.

The control computer is based on the LSI-11 architecture which is very similar to PDP11 computers. The system has a boot program and basic debug tool loaded on ROM chips. The operating system is loaded from external storage through a serial port, usually from a floppy disk.

The control unit also contains the servo power supply, analog and digital feedback processing boards, and servo drive system.

Model 260

Joint Maximums Degrees
Waist 315
Shoulder 320
Elbow 300
Wrist Bend 236
Wrist Roll 575
Tool Flange 525

Model 560 C

PUMA 560 C robot arm segment measurements.[3]
Joint Maximums [7] Degrees
Waist 320
Shoulder 266
Elbow 284
Wrist Bend 200
Wrist Roll 280
Tool Flange 532

Model 761 & 762

Physical measurements of the 761 and 762 PUMA arm segments. Both arms are identical for these measurements so only one image is needed.[8]
  761: 1.50m from center axis to center of wrist 
  762: 1.25m from center axis to center of wrist[9]
  761: 600 kg   [9]
  762: 590 kg   [9]
  761:  10 kg[10]
  762: 20 kg [10]
Physical measurements of the 761 and 762 PUMA arm segments, contrasting the lengths of the two forearm segments.[8]
Joint Maximums [12] Degrees
Waist 320
Shoulder 220
Elbow 270
Wrist Bend 200
Wrist Roll 532
Tool Swivel 600

Control System

Variable Assembly Language

References

  1. ↑ "Nokia robotics". Fabryka robotow. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  2. ↑ PUMA Robot Becomes Part of American History at the Smithsonian Robotics Online, archived on February 28, 2008 from the original
  3. ↑ "Robot 560 C Arm Manual" Staubli Unimation ltd. 1990 {C340.005.05.A} ch.2 pg.3
  4. 1 2 3 "Robot 560 C Arm Manual" Staubli Unimation ltd. 1990 {C340.005.05.A} ch.1 pg.1
  5. ↑ "Robot 560 C Arm Manual" Staubli Unimation ltd. 1990 {C340.005.05.A} ch.1 pg.10
  6. 1 2 3 "Robot 560 C Arm Manual" Staubli Unimation ltd. 1990 {C340.005.05.A} ch.1 pg.12
  7. ↑ "Robot 560 C Arm Manual" Staubli Unimation ltd. 1990 {C340.005.05.A} ch.1 pg.5
  8. 1 2 "Unimate PUMA Mark III Robot 700 Series Models 761/762 Equipment Manual 398Z1" Unimation Westinghouse. 1986 ch.2 pg.4
  9. 1 2 3 "Unimate PUMA Mark III Robot 700 Series Models 761/762 Equipment Manual 398Z1" Unimation Westinghouse. 1986 ch.1 pg.43
  10. 1 2 "Unimate PUMA Mark III Robot 700 Series Models 761/762 Equipment Manual 398Z1" Unimation Westinghouse. 1986 ch.1 pg.44
  11. 1 2 "Unimate PUMA Mark III Robot 700 Series Models 761/762 Equipment Manual 398Z1" Unimation Westinghouse. 1986 ch.1 pg.46
  12. ↑ "Unimate PUMA Mark III Robot 700 Series Models 761/762 Equipment Manual 398Z1" Unimation Westinghouse. 1986 ch.1 pg.24 fig 1-13
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