Posted to News on 28th Sep 2015, 00:00
Direct drive robotic arms support lean automation
Expanding its range of cost-effective modular robolink systems, igus introduces the robolink D direct drive articulated arm - a tougher, more durable solution compared with remote drive versions - supporting lean automation. It will be on display at Northern Manufacturing.
Typical robotic applications are repetitive tasks, such as on assembly lines and pick-and-place equipment. To support this, the new robolink D system is completely modular due to the direct drive situated within each joint, which helps achieve significant cost savings.
The new robolink is driven by a worm gear drive and a NEMA 17 or 23 stepper motor directly in the joint; these can be easily controlled using any commercially available control module. Based on self-lubricating iglidur PRT slewing ring bearings, robolink D system is available in three sizes, which can be combined to create articulated arms from one to as many as six Degrees Of Freedom.
The sea-water resistant, maintenance and corrosion-free bearings of the robolink D makes it equally well-suited to a variety of other applications, ranging from underwater vehicle operations to humanoid robots for explosive equipment handling.
