Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

igus

igus unveils ‘first’ industrial robot made of plastic

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igus has unveiled what it says is “the first robot made of high-performance plastic”. At just 8 kg, ReBeL is the lightest in its class: a real lightweight robot.

The compact, space-saving design with an integrated control system in the base opens up completely new fields of application for service robotics.

In collaboration with people, the ReBeL takes on tasks in the event and gastronomy sector, for example as a reliable coffee enricher or as a machine loader in production.

The robot is available as a plug-and-play version with integrated control system and robot software or as an open source version. In addition, users can choose between four or six degrees of freedom and thus adapt the ReBeL to their individual application scenario. [Read more…] about igus unveils ‘first’ industrial robot made of plastic

Stratom demonstrates new autonomous pallet loader vehicle

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Stratom, a developer of autonomous ground vehicles and robotic systems for logistics and operational applications, says it has successfully completed field demonstration of its patent-pending ATLAS vehicle, Stratom’s advanced autonomous pallet loader.

Whether operated via tethered remote control or preprogrammed with repeatable operations, Stratom’s ATLAS platform reduces crew needs while loading, unloading and transporting cargo in military and commercial applications, ultimately increasing speed, flexibility, efficiency, dependability and safety.

Last June, Stratom announced that the US Marine Corps awarded the company a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 contract to develop a prototype autonomous pallet loader. [Read more…] about Stratom demonstrates new autonomous pallet loader vehicle

igus acquires majority stake in Commonplace Robotics

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Motion plastics specialist igus is investing in growing its low cost automation activities and has now acquired the majority stake in robot integrator Commonplace Robotics, based in Bissendorf near Osnabrück.

Commonplace Robotics specialises in intuitive control and software as well as power electronics for robotics, in the industrial and educational sectors.

Both companies have worked together closely for six years and have jointly developed the iRC igus Robot Control, which complements igus’s low cost kinematics parts which are made of high-performance plastics. [Read more…] about igus acquires majority stake in Commonplace Robotics

Robotic grippers 3D-printed for packaging machines

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Plastic grippers made from 3D printing and tribofilaments from Igus are 85 percent and 70 percent cheaper than the majority of competitors in the packaging industry.

3D printing is one of the most important trends in the industry today. It allows single batches to become a reality, allowing for personalized serial production of watches, furniture, and shoes. Additive manufacturing can also be a benefit to the packaging industry.

Metal grippers can be expensive and take a long time to produce.A certain company, after trying to 3D-print grippers using standard plastics like ABS and PLA with poor results, turned to igus. [Read more…] about Robotic grippers 3D-printed for packaging machines

igus unveils virtual trade show booth

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igus, a supplier of components, has unveiled a “virtual trade show booth” to provide some assistance to industry people who are “still bummed out about trade shows being cancelled”. 

The virtual stand is interactive, as you might expect, and features a range of components for many industries, including robotics, material handling, agriculture and many more.

igus says the aim of the stand was to showcase its “new, innovative plastic products for low-cost automation”. [Read more…] about igus unveils virtual trade show booth

Igus augments chainflex servo cable offering for machine tool applications

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igus chainflex servo cables

Igus has added to its chainflex range with the introduction of chainflex servo cable families developed specifically for machine tool applications.

Machine builders are offered the option of selecting the most cost-effective cable, guaranteed to work reliably based on the required profile of the bend radius, travel distance and speed.

Chainflex cables from the CF27.D series feature a minimum bend radius of only 7.5 times the cable diameter; this makes them particularly well suited for use in tight installation spaces and highly dynamic applications, for example in gantries.  [Read more…] about Igus augments chainflex servo cable offering for machine tool applications

Igus launches ‘extremely compact rotation module’ for tight spaces

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igus compact rotational module

System guides energy, data and media safely, without interruption for rotational movements up to 360 degrees, says company

Motion plastics specialist igus has developed an extremely compact rotation module, which revolves around its own axis, even in confined spaces.

As with all rotary energy chain systems from igus, the module can be used to guide different types of media – power, signals, data, fibre-optic, pneumatic or fluids – in parallel without interruption.

Inside the module, cables and hoses are routed together without interruption, thus eliminating the need for expensive and complex rotary unions.  [Read more…] about Igus launches ‘extremely compact rotation module’ for tight spaces

Igus launches pre-assembled Robolink D 5-axis articulated arms

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igus robolink_D_roboter

Igus says the low-cost robot enables simple configuration, easy acquisition, and immediate connection 

Igus has launched its Robolink D 5-axis articulated arms as an assembly kit consisting of arm, motor and gearbox, or now as a ready-to-connect articulated arm, enabling machine and system builders to rapidly implement their own low-cost robotic automation systems.

Robert Dumayne, director of dry-tech bearings, Igus, says: “Robots are taking over more and more in automation tasks. Last year, sales of industrial robots exceeded 245,000 pieces, marking a new record.”

At the same time, Igus says, interest is also growing in simple and inexpensive robotics solutions. In the area of low-cost automation, engineers can increase the productivity of their machines with a flexible robot kit using Robolink D, says Igus.  [Read more…] about Igus launches pre-assembled Robolink D 5-axis articulated arms

Igus introduces its largest energy chain for light robotic applications

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igus-energy-chain

Motion plastics specialist says new energy chain allows for easy assembly and cable routing

Igus has launched triflex TRLF.125, extending the TRLF family to include its largest 125mm nominal diameter e-chain, in addition to existing 65, 87.5 and 100mm internal diameter sizes.

These TRLF energy chains are ideally suited for robotics and other applications that require electrical power cables, data cables and hoses to remain secure and protected during multi-axis movement.

The company – which likes its name written as igus, with a small i – that with this new 125mm size, even stiff or large hoses, or indeed large numbers of individual cables, can be inserted quickly and easily, reducing labour costs and assembly time.   [Read more…] about Igus introduces its largest energy chain for light robotic applications

Igus receives 10,000th order from robotics company

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igus director, Justin Leonard, presents Fraser Reid, managing director of Cyber-Weld, with the 10,000th readycable order
Igus director Justin Leonard presents Fraser Reid, managing director of Cyber-Weld, with the 10,000th readycable order

As Cyber-Weld reaches 10,000 orders for readycable products, igus outlines the advantages of using robotics in the welding process 

Robotic welding systems have been widely used in large scale automated manufacturing facilities, particularly in the automotive industry, for a number of years. 

Faced with cost pressures from their customers, small metalworking job shops are now starting to consider implementing automation. 

When the operating costs of robotic welding are compared to manual welding the results are now clearly in favour of the robot.  Additional benefits of automating are increased productivity, more consistent welded joints and improved quality.  [Read more…] about Igus receives 10,000th order from robotics company