Low-Cost Robotics: Joint Module System Now Ready for Sale

Press releasePM 0711-EU

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More than one hundred customers tests

Low-cost robotics: Joint module system now ready for sale

Two years ago, igus GmbH, Cologne, presented the innovative “robolink” multi-axis joints for humanoid robots and lightweight automation. Now, a complete moduler system is available ex stock, including nineteen new products. These range from abrasion-proof and high-strength Bowden cables through to drive units and accessories for attaching flexible robot arms and routing of the Bowden cables in the arms. In addition, “robolink” won the renowned “iF product design award 2011”.

The “robolink” joint module system for low-cost automation combines enormous design freedom with simplicity. The moving masses are kept as low as possible. For this, the drives and control module are decoupled from the movement mechanism and tools (e.g. grippers, hands, suction cups etc.). At the heart of the modular system are the lightweight, maintenance and corrosion-free joints with tribologically optimised plastic bearings, which are driven through cables and can rotate and swivel freely. The elasticity, light weight and possibility of a central drive are a real innovation in the field of low-cost robotics, according to the company.

120 multi-axis joints, with sensor system if required

Prior to the product going on sale at the beginning of the year orders had already been placed due to the public development process that took place on the Internet with customer reports. From December 2009 onwards, igus beta-testers had been provided with free prototypes in order to progress the further development of “robolink” for a wide range of application possibilities before serial production could begin. In 2010 alone, the Cologne-based company received around 450 enquiries from more than ten countries, over 50 percent of these were from industrial companies, a third were from research institutes and the remainder from private design engineers. More than one hundred beta-testers received around 120 multi-axis joints, one fifth of which included igus’ own angle sensor system. No matter which position the plastic joint is in, the next position can be approached quickly and with an angle precision of 0.07°.

Mobile robots, medical technology and animatronics

The beta-tester applications from 2010 are diverse, as igus reported at both the Hanover Trade Show and previous to that at the “Industrial Convention on Biometrics” in Berlin in March. They range from maritime robots – underwater vehicles – with “robolink” as the drive concept through to mobile robots on the ground, used for handling contaminated materials or for searching for explosives, for example, as well as to humanoid show robots in museums or as assistance systems for interaction between man and machine. Further applications can be found in medical technology, such as in the dental field, as well as in the field of animatronics and all kinds of camera guidance (production monitoring, sewage pipe inspection).

New: “iglidur J” for wear-resistant Bowden cables

igus presented new Bowden cables with flexible outer cables made of aluminium and the high-performance polymer “iglidur J” which can be used to move multi-axis joints. This material combines low friction values with an extremely long service life. The new Bowden cables make extremely small bending radii and highly flexible movements possible in the long term. “iglidur J” is used on “robolink” wherever frequent relative movements take place. The balls in the Bowden cable sleeves are made of this material, as are the surfaces of the cable pulleys and, of course, the plain bearings inside the joints. Another igus premiere at Hanover was a version of the Bowden cables made entirely from plastic.

New: Interior divisions and deflections

On the mechanical side, the Cologne-based company presented a comprehensive range of new accessories for attaching the robot arms and routing the cables in the arms. These include flange shaft blocks for attaching the arms, interior divisions for the organised routing of the drive and data cables, a cable tensioner for straightforward re-tensioning of the system as well as a cable pulley range for deflections.

New: Drive units and prototype of a control software

On the electro-technical side, igus presented space-saving drive units (of different performance classes) for complete freedom, with four drive motors and one housing, including cable deflectors and guides. A new and individually configurable drive disc has been developed for connection to the “robolink” system. Users can fix this to a wide range of different motor or gear shafts and then connect the wear-resistant cables. Finally, igus also demonstrated the optional prototype of simple control software that can be used to intuitively program and store all the movements of a 4-axis jointed arm.

Photo PM0711-01: igus GmbH, Cologne

The “robolink” joint module system for low-cost automation is now available ex stock from igus GmbH, Cologne. The company presented no less than nineteen new products for this at the Hanover Trade Show. In addition, “robolink” won the renowned “iF product design award 2011”.

Picture PM0711-02: igus GmbH, Cologne

Together with new wear-resistant Bowden cables, interior divisions and deflections, igus now offers space-saving drive units (photo) with short delivery times as an option for the “robolink” multi-axis joints.

Picture PM0711-03: igus GmbH, Cologne

Lightweight, maintenance-free “robolink” multi-axis joints for mobile robotics, used here for scanning labels in the warehouse.

Picture PM0711-04: igus GmbH, Cologne

A wide range of application areas for corrosion-free, lightweight multi-axis joints from igus, for example in sewage or pipeline inspection (photo).

Photo PM0711-05: igus GmbH, Cologne

Animatronics: “robolink” multi-axis joints move show robots in the “ghost train”.

PRESS CONTACT:

André Kluth

Head of Corporate Communications

igus GmbH

Spicher Str. 1a

D-51147 Köln

Tel. +49 (0) 22 03 / 96 49 - 611

Fax+49 (0) 22 03 / 96 49 - 631

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