Plug and play range extenders for robots and cobots

Schaeffler offers linear actuators as customised turnkey solutions typically consisting of a MDKUVE tandem actuator, a corresponding adapter plate for the cobot, an appropriate motor/gearbox unit, prefabricated motor cables, a drag chain for all of the cobot's supply lines/cables, and a motor controller. The package comes complete with Profibus, Profinet, and EtherCAT interfaces for connection to customer control systems, and the linear axis solutions have various options for connecting to the motor/gearbox units. For complete flexibility, customers also have the option of using their own drive technology instead of Schaeffler's if they so wish.

Depending on customer requirements, the linear axis can be supplied in various lengths and can be driven by a choice of MDKUVE-KGT ball screw drive, a MDKUVE-3ZR toothed belt drive, or a linear motor. In the tandem actuator, which forms the basis of the linear axis, the guide carriage runs along two parallel KUVE-type monorail guidance systems (four-row linear recirculating ball bearing and guideway assemblies). Due to its compact design, the tandem actuator is well suited for use in applications involving both high carrying and high moment loads - such as collaborative robots. Tandem actuators offer maximum reliability in these applications when used in conjunction with triple toothed belt drives.

For applications that require very high carrying and moment-load capacities, customers have the alternative option of running the guide carriage on a KUSE-XL six-row linear recirculating ball bearing and guideway assembly in X-life quality. The linear axes are available in a range of lengths, depending on the drive selected. They can also be implemented as multi-part axes for added reach in applications that involve longer travel paths. This flexibility means that the compact linear axes be can easily integrated into new and existing automation systems. As a further option, Schaeffler also offers an assembly and installation service.

Tandem actuators driven by ball screw drives are available in a range of lengths up to a maximum of 5.9m and offer repeat accuracy of 0.025mm and a maximum linear speed of 1.7m/s. Tandem actuators driven by toothed belt drives, on the other hand, can be implemented as multi-part axes with lengths of up to 18m for applications where especially long travel paths are required. These longer implementations also support high linear speeds of up to 5m/s and offer a repeat accuracy of +/- 0.1mm. Schaeffler states that due to the compact, high-performance design of these plug-and-play linear axes, they also have applications in areas other than collaborative robots, most notably in the periphery of handling and assembly equipment, and wider factory automation.

Go to www.schaeffler.co.uk for more information about the range extenders for robots and cobots.