torque

Genesis and Demaurex to develop ‘next generation’ robotic systems

Demaurex, a Swiss robotics company and pioneer of high speed pick and place robotics, and Genesis Robotics and Motion Technologies, an innovative start-up robotics company, have signed a joint development agreement to integrate Genesis Robotics’ revolutionary LiveDrive Direct-Drive Motors into Demaurex’s latest generation “delta robot systems”.

The JDA was signed at an exclusive signing ceremony at the Lausanne headquarters of Demaurex to begin what both companies hail as a milestone in the development of advanced robotics.

Demaurex engineered and industrialized the original Delta robot in 1988, based on a patent of Prof Reymond Clavel of the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, introducing high speed, vision guided product pick and place systems to the robotics market for the first time. [Read more…] about Genesis and Demaurex to develop ‘next generation’ robotic systems

NSK launches low-friction ball bearings which ‘increase energy efficiency’

NSK has launched low-friction ball bearings which it says increase energy efficiency and reduce operational noise in drive systems.

Bearings of this type will also reduce heat generation, which in turn helps to extend service life, according to the company.

Based on concepts such as optimised raceway geometry and special sealing concepts, NSK has developed several series of ball bearings that offer significantly lower friction characteristics. [Read more…] about NSK launches low-friction ball bearings which ‘increase energy efficiency’

Innovative sensors are empowering the smart factory robot, says AMS

By Mark Donovan

The next industrial revolution is arriving on a shore near you. It’s called Industry 4.0, and like its three predecessors, it’s about to bring sweeping changes to manufacturing that will globally affect everyone.

Industry 4.0, and the resulting manufacturing changes that are coming with it, have spawned a new type of production plant called the smart factory.

Central to the smart factory is the prolific use of autonomous and collaborative robots that work symbiotically with each other and alongside human beings to yield a more productive and efficient manufacturing plant. [Read more…] about Innovative sensors are empowering the smart factory robot, says AMS

Exclusive interviews: Genesis Robotics bosses claim their LiveDrive could ‘change everything’

A company called Genesis Robotics is claiming that its new innovation could change the world of robotics, as well as the whole area of motion control in general.

The company’s LiveDrive is a component which could replace traditional gears in everything from industrial robots to cars and even bicycles.

In an interview with RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com, Genesis Robotics’ president, Michael Gibney, and James Klassen, CTO, both of whom we met at Hannover Messe, provide some background about how the company was formed as well as some insight into the new technology. [Read more…] about Exclusive interviews: Genesis Robotics bosses claim their LiveDrive could ‘change everything’

Worm gearboxes produce high torque at low cost

Tony Young, director of electrical and automation maintenance company, CP Automation, explains the benefits of worm gearboxes

Worm gearboxes are low cost solutions for producing high torque from relatively small electric motors. Their output shaft is at a 90 degree angle to the motor input shaft and higher reduction ratios are obtained compared to conventional gearbox designs.

It would be hard to imagine how violin or guitar strings could be tuned without the use of worm gears, where each thumb screw is effectively a worm that turns a gear, the shaft from which in turn tightens a string.

A complete turn of the thumb screw results in a much smaller turn of only a few degrees at the string shaft, and therefore much higher torque. More importantly, it provides precise tuning of the guitar string. [Read more…] about Worm gearboxes produce high torque at low cost

Robotiq launches new FT 300 force torque sensor

Robotiq has launched its newest Force Torque Sensor: the FT 300, which the company says brings “a sense of touch to your robot”.

The Force Torque Sensor FT 300 has plug and play integration on all Universal Robots, making automation of high-precision tasks such as product testing, assembly and precise part insertion easy and fast to set up.

The Force Torque Sensor FT 300 is specially designed for Universal Robots. The easy integration includes a smooth mechanical fit, integration and programming. This new Sensor will open up a whole range of force sensitive applications that will be fast and easy to automate, says the company. [Read more…] about Robotiq launches new FT 300 force torque sensor