The brand new energy chain is designed for industrial purposes akin to palletizing. Supply: igus
Movement plastics chief igus GmbH has introduced a brand new self-supporting twisterchain power chain that it mentioned delivers dependable cable administration via rotation angles of greater than 600° on compact industrial robots.
This rotary module sits in a sag across the robotic base. Because the robotic rotates, it lifts step-by-step to a brand new stage, enabling full 360° rotation with out colliding with the connector plate, igus defined.
Cologne, Germany-based igus develops and produces movement plastics. These lubrication-free, high-performance polymers enhance know-how and scale back prices wherever issues transfer.
igus mentioned it’s the worldwide market chief in power provides, extremely versatile cables, and plain and linear bearings, in addition to lead-screw know-how made from tribo-polymers. The corporate is represented in 31 nations and employs 4,600 folks throughout the globe. In 2022, igus generated a turnover of €1.15 billion ($1.32 billion U.S.).
igus power chain addresses two robotics challenges
igus mentioned its new twisterchain product solves two challenges for robotics. The primary includes compact robots, which deal with screwing, gluing, meeting, and pick-and-place duties however have lengthy lacked dependable power provide alongside the fast-rotating first axis.
The second arises on the fifth axis of palletizing robots, the place uncontrolled corrugated hoses typically collide with the instrument. In each circumstances, the brand new chain’s outlined motion on two ranges lets energy and knowledge cables safely observe full rotations, even with extremely dynamic movement profiles, based on igus.
As a result of the power chain system is self-supporting, set up requires solely two connection factors. There isn’t any want for pricey information troughs or difficult alignment, the corporate claimed.
The chains open on the interior radius for simple cable insertion and provide versatile inside separation with detachable cabinets, mentioned igus. In addition they embody adjustable pretension that may be tuned exactly to cable weight and rotation angle for optimum repeatability.
The company listed key options of the brand new twisterchain:
- Rotation angle of over 600°
- Unsupported design — no information trough or trough system required
- Chain will be opened on the interior radius for simpler cable insertion
- Cables simply accessible for servicing
- Cabinets included for separating cables or hoses
- Axis 1: base of small industrial robots; mountable on the ground or a raised plinth
- Axis 5: palletizing and dealing with robots; mountable on robotic arm or end-of-arm instrument
- Recyclable at finish of life via igus recycling program
igus works to broaden choices
“Analysis within the business’s largest take a look at laboratories continuously yields improvements and extra safety for customers,” mentioned igus. About 234,000 articles can be found from inventory, and the service life will be calculated on-line.
Lately, the corporate, which has U.S. headquarters in Rumford, R.I., has expanded by creating inside startups. For instance, it has items for ball bearings, robotic drives, 3D printing, the RBTX platform for Lean Robotics and clever “sensible plastics” for Business 4.0.
To help sustainability, igus has invested within the “change” program for recycling used e-chains. It additionally participates in an enterprise that produces oil from plastic waste.
Register now and save in your cross to RoboBusiness 2026The submit igus launches power chain with 600-degree rotation for industrial robots appeared first on The Robotic Report.
