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Materials for Manufacturing Robotics: The Best Choices for Strong Robots
Table of Contents
What Are the Best Materials for Robots?
Robots need strong materials to work well. The right materials help robots move fast, lift heavy things, and last a long time. At Istar Machining, we make robot parts with the best materials. Let’s look at what makes good robot materials!
Metal Materials for Robots
Metals are very strong and hard. They are good for robot parts that need to be tough.
Steel
Steel is very strong. It can hold a lot of weight. Robot arms use steel to lift heavy things.
- Steel type 304 works in most places
- Steel type 316 is good where water might cause rust
- Steel follows safety rules called ISO 10218
Aluminum
Aluminum is lighter than steel but still strong. It helps robots move faster.
- 40% lighter than steel
- Does not rust easily
- Used in robots like the UR10e
- Makes robot arms move 30% faster when picking things up
Istar Machining is skilled in aluminum CNC machining for robot parts.
Titanium
Titanium is super strong and very light. It costs more money but works great for special robot parts.
- Does not rust
- Good for robot joints
- Used in space and airplane robots
Here at Istar Machining, we offer precision titanium CNC machining for the most demanding robot applications.
Plastic Materials for Robots
Plastics are lighter than metals. They cost less money too. Some plastics are very good for robot parts.
PEEK Plastic
PEEK is a special plastic that can get hot without melting.
- Works in very hot places (up to 250°C)
- Good for robot grabbers
- Lasts 3 times longer than other materials in hot places
- Helps welding robots work better
UHMW-PE Plastic
This plastic is very smooth and does not wear out easily.
- Good for parts that rub against each other
- Used in food robots
- Easy to clean
- Follows FDA rules for food safety
Our CNC plastic machining service can create custom PEEK and UHMW-PE components for your robotics applications.
Composite Materials for Robots
Composite materials mix different things together to make something better.
Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber is super light and very strong.
- 60% lighter than steel
- 25% stiffer than aluminum
- Helps robots use 15-20% less power
- Used in fast-moving robot arms
| Material | Weight vs. Steel | Energy Savings |
| Carbon Fiber | 60% lighter | 15-20% less energy |
| Aluminum | 40% lighter | 10-15% less energy |
| Steel | Standard weight | Standard energy use |
Fiberglass
Fiberglass costs less than carbon fiber but still works well.
- Lighter than metal
- Does not rust
- Good for robot covers and shells
- Costs less than carbon fiber
At Istar Machining, we specialize in CNC composite machining for advanced robotics applications.
Ceramic Materials for Robots
Ceramics are hard and work well in special robots.
- Do not conduct electricity
- Very smooth surface
- Good for robots that handle computer chips
- Reduced chip damage by 7.5% in tests
How to Choose the Right Material for Your Robot
Picking the right material is very important. Here are big things to think about:
1. How Much Weight Will It Lift?
- Steel – Best for very heavy lifting
- Aluminum – Good for medium weights
- Carbon Fiber – Best for fast, light movements
2. How Hot Will It Get?
Some robots work in very hot places. You need materials that won’t melt or break.
- PEEK plastic – Works up to 250°C
- Steel – Good for hot places
- Aluminum – May get weak if too hot
3. Is It Safe?
Robots must follow safety rules.
- ISO 10218 rules for industrial robots
- TS 15066 rules for robots that work with people
- FDA rules for food robots
4. How Much Does It Cost?
Some materials cost more money but might save money over time.
| Material | Cost Range (USD/kg) | Money Saved vs. Steel |
| Steel | $1.50-$3.00 | Standard cost |
| Aluminum | $3.00-$5.00 | Saves 2x over life |
| PEEK | $80.00-$120.00 | Lasts 4x longer |
| Carbon Fiber | $30.00-$50.00 | Uses 3x less energy |
New Materials for Better Robots
Scientists are making new materials that will help robots work even better!
Graphene-Enhanced Composites
- 20% lighter than regular carbon fiber
- Conducts electricity
- Helps robot sensors work better
Self-Healing Polymers
These special plastics can fix small damage by themselves!
- Fixes small cracks without help
- Cuts repair costs by 40%
- Makes robot skin last longer
Smart Alloys
These metals can change shape when heated or cooled.
- Helps robots grab things better
- Saves energy
- Could save $2.1 billion in energy costs by 2027
Real Example: Car Factory Robots
A car factory had a problem. Their robot arms kept breaking because of heat.
The Problem:
- Robot arms worked near hot car parts
- Arms broke down every 12 months
- Fixing them cost a lot of money
The Fix:
- Changed to PEEK-coated aluminum joints
- Arms now last 18 months instead of 12
- Factory downtime dropped by 45%
At Istar Machining, we offer CNC services for automotive robots that can help solve similar challenges.
Materials in Different Robot Types
Factory Robots
- Mostly use steel and aluminum (75% of all robots)
- Need to be strong and last a long time
Collaborative Robots (Cobots)
- Work with people
- Use more carbon fiber and special plastics
- Growing fast (20% more in 2023)
Food Processing Robots
- Must be clean and easy to wash
- Use stainless steel 316 and UHMW-PE
- 98% rust-free after 5,000 wash cycles
We provide precision CNC machining for all these robot types at Istar Machining.
Questions People Ask
Is carbon fiber better than steel for robot arms?
Yes for robots that need to move fast and don’t lift very heavy things. No for robots that need to lift very heavy things.
Which plastics are good for food robots?
UHMW-PE and PTFE are best for food robots. They are:
1. Easy to clean
2. Don’t grow germs
3. Follow FDA rules
How do ISO rules change what materials I can use?
ISO rules may require:
1. Materials that don’t burn easily
2. Materials tested for safety
3. Materials that can be tracked to where they came from
What We Learned
Choosing the right materials for robots is very important. You need to balance:
- How strong it is
- How much it weighs
- How hot it gets
- How much it costs
- How long it lasts
At Istar Machining, we help you pick the right materials for your robot parts. Our CNC machining service can work with all the best robot materials.
The Future of Robot Materials
Robot materials will keep getting better! Soon we will see:
- Even lighter materials
- Materials that can sense things
- Materials that fix themselves
- Materials that use less energy
These new materials will help make robots that work better, last longer, and cost less to run.
How Istar Machining Can Help
At Istar Machining, we are experts at making robot parts with the best materials. We can:
- Help you choose the right materials
- Make custom robot parts
- Use our 5-axis CNC machining for complex parts
- Ensure all parts meet quality standards
Contact us today to learn how we can help with your robot manufacturing needs!
[^1]: Data from Protolabs Manufacturing Robotics Report, 2023 [^2]: GM automotive assembly line case study, 2022 [^3]: IEEE Robotics Society Report on ceramic materials in semiconductor handling [^4]: AWE Robotics Cost Guide for manufacturing materials
