igus – press release

PM1110-GB/05-2010

Photo PM1110-01: igus GmbH, CologneNew: Integrated magnetic sensors for measuring angle position are now available for both axes (swivelling and rotation). This makes it possible to position the robot arm exactly and quickly teach the arm movement without having to write complex programs.

Humanoid robot

sign freedom and simplicity. The aim of development was to keep the moving mass as low as possible. For this reason, the drives and control module are decou-pled from the movement mechanism and tools (e.g. grippers, hands, suction cups etc.). At the heart of the modular system are the lightweight, maintenance and corrosion-free joints made of tribo-plastic, which can rotate and swivel freely. They can be controlled and regulated via pulleys powered by electrics, pneumatics or intuitively by hand. Frank Blase, Managing Director at igus: “The elasticity, the light weight and possibility of central drive are a real innovation in the field of low-cost robotics.”

Fast teach-in At the Hanover Fair, the com-pany presented elastic arms with integrated magnetic sensors for measuring the angle position of the joints. This allows functions to be taught immediately on a lightweight robot without a program having to be written. No matter which

position the joint is currently in, a new position can be approached quickly and precisely.

Light and abrasion-resistantThere are some new features from a mechanical point of view, too. The pulley guides, through which the multi-axis joints are moved, have undergone fur-ther development to reduce wear. In addition, there are new materials being used for the arms depend-ing on the application: carbon fibre, fibre glass or aluminium arms are available. The igus lightweight joints open up new possibilities for robot developers to realise applications that achieve the magical tar-get of a load-to-weight ratio of 1:1 or even improve on this.

Public development processThe lightweight, lubricant-free multi-axis joints that can also be used under water and in chemicals are already being tested by around 35 customers. Since December, igus has been offering beta-testers free prototypes for tests. Customer reports and the de-velopment process have consciously been made public on the internet under www.igus.eu/robolink. “Customer feedback confirms that the market had been waiting for lightweight plastic robot joints with many functional possibilities,” explains the Managing Director Mr. Blase.

New: Plastic multi-axis joints now including sensor systems

A year ago, igus GmbH, Cologne, presented innova-tive multi-axis joints for humanoid robots and light-weight automation. Now, the manufacturer of energy chain systems and plain bearings is combining its expertise in the field of high-performance polymers with intelligent control technology. The “robolink” joint modules for robots allow a great deal of system de-

igus – press release

PM1110-GB/05-2010

Photo PM1110-02: igus GmbH, CologneNew materials for elastic robot arms (from the left): made of fibre-glass, aluminium or carbon fibre depending on the application. The inner profile of the arms (top centre) have a bionic design which increases the transmission torque limit by a factor of five.

Artificial arms, underwater robots – first customer applicationsThe application possibilities are numerous. A manu-facturer of medical equipment, for example, is using the multi-axis joint for the development of a new low-cost artificial arm. A manufacturer of cameras for fuel tank inspection has requested “robolink” because the metal-free joints are extremely suitable for use in po-tentially explosive areas. The corrosion-free modular system is ideal for the construction of an underwa-ter robot for antenna alignment. New pick-and-place applications are being developed with the joints in the mechanical engineering department of one uni-

versity. Another exciting project with “robolink” is the design of a system for adjusting microscope cameras in dental practices. “robolink” is also used for simple camera guidance and control to allow photographs to be taken from a bird’s eye view. Since the drive is de-coupled from the moving arm, the camera can be ro-tated and swivelled sev-eral meters above the photogra-pher.

Picture PM1110-03: igus GmbH, CologneThe lightweight lubricant-free multi-axis joints from igus are already being tested by around 35 customers. This photo shows “robolink” being used for simple camera guidance and control to allow photo-graphs to be taken from a bird’s eye view.

PRESS CONTACT:

André KluthCorporate Communication Manager

igus GmbHSpicher Str. 1aD-51147 KölnPhone +49-22 03 / 96 49-0Fax +49-22 03 / 96 49-222akluth@igus.dewww.igus.de

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