Stäubli presents innovative robotic applications

Stubli manufactures robots for a broad spectrum of applications; the range includes small four-axis Scara robots, six-axis heavy-duty robots, as well as the well recognised and appreciated RX/TX ranges of fast, precise six-axis robots. The wide range ensures that the most suitable robot can be selected for virtually any application.

The aim always is to ensure that the advanced capabilities of Stubli's robots are fully exploited; to ensure this happens the company works closely with software and peripheral equipment suppliers on new features and applications that should be of interest to both existing and new customers.

A range of practical demonstrations were recently presented by Stubli to provide examples of the development possibilities of its robots. Some of the demonstrations were as follows.

Vision recognition systems enabling the robot to lock onto a defined shape in 3D and follow precisely the movement of that shape at any angle. The system was demonstrated by using a robot and camera assembly as a TV camera, capable of following automatically the face of the presenter or a football in a soccer game, with much smoother movements than a cameraman.

Precise compliance between two robots. This was demonstrated by producing two hand-written signatures simultaneously on each side of a glass panel, the robots synchronised in one co-ordinated sequence, one working in mirror image, to recreate precisely the signature input from a touch pad.

High-power laser cutting with a Stubli TX90XL robot where the laser pathway is inside the robot arm and through each joint, allowing more laser power to be used than would be possible by using an external fibre-optic cable.

A sensitive robot arm that reacts to the force encountered, responding directly to touch and capable of being simply pushed back manually without damage.

These are just some of the innovations that can be achieved by using Stubli robots. Increasingly users are realising the benefits that stem from a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the wide-ranging capabilities of these highly developed machines.

Stubli Customer Support Engineers have a wealth of experience in developing automation systems and are always available to advise users on their specific requirements and suggest the optimum automation system. The innovations presented by Stubli are just a few examples of the ease with which robots can be applied to new tasks with speed, precision and reliability, pushing back the boundary of applications where robotics can provide the best solution to an automation problem.