Abstract: A driving apparatus for effecting linear movement of an industrial robot comprises a slide member axially slidably disposed within a frame, a ball nut secured to the slide member and a ball screw threaded through the ball nut and rotationally driven relative to the ball nut to effect linear movement of the ball nut along the ball screw accompanied by linear movement of the slide shaft. A bracket is adjustably mounted on the frame for rotatably supporting the shaft of the ball screw. The bracket can be displaced relative to the frame in the transverse direction of the slide member to align the axis of the ball screw with the axis of the slide member during assembly of the apparatus. A thrust bearing is disposed between the shaft of the ball screw and the bracket to absorb radial displacement and strain of the ball screw shaft.

Abstract: A support mechanism for a cylindrical coordinate type industrial robot comprising a stationary upstanding tubular outer member and a displaceable inner member supported within the outer member to undergo axial displacement in upward and downward directions and angular displacement in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The supporting mechanism includes a bearing interposed between the inner and outer members, the bearing including a retaining member rollably retaining thereon a plurality of rollable elements. An elastic balancing and restoring device for applying elastic biasing forces in opposite axial directions to the upper and lower ends of the retainer member is operative in the event the retainer member fails to maintain proportionate displacement with the inner member to temporarily increase the magnitude of the force difference between the oppositely directed elastic biasing forces in a direction effective to restore the proportionate displacement.

Abstract: A robot comprises a plurality of arms connected in series and articulated with one another so as to cooperatively move along a horizontal plane. A plurality of drive units are connected to rotate one arm relative to another around respective vertical axes. Each drive unit has an outer cylindrical frame from which one arm horizontally extends, and an inner cylindrical bracket from which another arm horizontally extends, the inner cylindrical bracket being coaxially disposed within and rotatable relative to the outer cylindrical frame. A drive motor is fixedly mounted within the inner cylindrical bracket and has a rotatable output shaft extending along the vertical axis. A reduction gear unit is interconnected between the drive motor output shaft and the inside of the outer cylindrical frame and transmits the rotational movement of the output shaft to the inner cylindrical bracket at a reduced rate so that the inner cylindrical bracket rotates around the vertical axis relative to the outer cylindrical frame.

Abstract: An industrial robot having a controllably movable arm is taught position data for controlling the movable of the arm. A support member is provided on the arm and has a through-hole therein. First, an optical magnifying devices inserted into the through-hole for aligning the arm in a proper position so as to teach the position data to the industrial robot. Thereafter, the optical magnifying device is removed from the through-hole, and a manipulating device is inserted into the same through-hole. The manipulating device is movable together with the arm according to the taught data for sequentially manipulating workpieces.