Towards the Application of Low-Cost Collaborative Robots in Laser Materials Processing

The integration of low-cost collaborative robots (cobots) into laser materials processing (LMP) holds significant promise, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Technological advancements have reduced costs and increased laser system flexibility, broadening their application.Additionally, demographic changes and labor shortages highlight the need for adaptable robotic solutions.Cobots, with intuitive programming, built-in safety, and low costs, suit SMEs performing small batch, varied production.However, their limited rigidity compared to industrial robots challenges precision and repeatability, demanding specialized path planning, calibration, and sensor fusion to ensure sub millimeter-level accuracy.This paper presents recent research on cobot-assisted LMP through laser cutting, welding, marking, and cleaning case studies.It discusses how optimized path planning, offline trajectory simulations, adaptive corrections, and hand-guided programming can overcome cobot limitations.The insights support broader adoption of cobots in laser materials processing and guide future research toward enhanced accuracy and effective human-robotcollaboration.