more robolink D informations (HMI interviews)

Martin Raak | 27. April 2015

I would like to share 2 interviews “live” from Hannover trade Show. They might explain more about our ideas and the product robolink D Joint kit. The first is in “English” (=germanenglish) and the second in german. please find some more written informations below.

in german:

I want to explain the basic idea of our Hannover trade show news:

# igus offers mechanical components for automation solutions, for example also joint arms.

# The main components of our kit are “joints” consisting of a PRT slewing bearing table, a plastic worm gear and a plastic housing. These joints exist in 3 sizes (-20, -30 and -50). These joints can be equipped with igus motors as an option. Standard motors are our stepper motors NEMA17, NEMA23 or NEMA23XL. In addition, INI switches can be used as Zero signal outputs.

# These joints can be combined freely (in principle) and as a result represent joint arms with different kinematics. Currently, max. 4 axis can be configured, up to 6 axis are planned. The shown joint arm (on the Hannover show as well as in our mailings and advertises) is a 3 DOF kinematic. This design with 3 different robolink D joints (one of each size -20, -30 and -50) of the new generation will be shown at Hannover Show in April for the first time in public as demo unit. The connecting parts between the joints are produced as SLS (selective laser sintering) parts in this case. On request, igus may share the STEP data for these parts, so that customers may “print” or “sinter” them by themselves as 3D parts. On request, igus may also modify, produce and offer these parts. As a “cheap” solution, these connting parts can also be produced as folded metal sheet parts (see second part of the interview videos).

# As a result of this, it is possible to design or create a cheap 3 DOF robotic arm, either with igus components (joints and motors) or as a ready mounted arm (like in the picture). The choice of joints and motors is depending on the application data given (as payload, precision, speed,…).

# In general, igus offers a mechanical design for robotic applications. Control components as well as further “intelligence” (like force or torque sensors,…) is not part of our offer or our scope of delivery. In order to control such joint arms (in the case of using our stepper motors), at least stepper motor controls are needed. In addition a superior control makes sense. In our demo unit we use an ARDUINO controller as main board, many other different control concepts are possible, as for ex. SIEMENS SPS, WAGO or BECKHOFF controls,….

# performance data of the joint arm we will show in Hannover can not be announced currently, as this is a prototype design! We will reach with this constellation a payload of about 1 kg and a precision (or repeatability) of about 1 mm. Higher loads can be reached by using a stronger motor in the 2nd axis (NEMA23 instead of NEMA17).