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Igus launches unsupported energy chain for compact industrial robot applications
Articles- Jul 28,26
Igus has introduced a new unsupported twisterchain energy supply solution designed to address cable guidance challenges in compact industrial robots and palletising robot fifth-axis applications.
Compact industrial articulated arm robots continue to present challenges for design engineers, particularly in managing energy supply. Existing solutions often struggle with fast rotational movements along the first axis and the limited installation space available. igus has now addressed this gap with a new unsupported energy chain from its twisterchain series. The product also provides a solution for energy supply along the fifth axis of palletising robots, where design engineers have often relied on customised solutions.
Compact industrial robots such as the KR AGILUS from KUKA and the FANUC LR Mate are widely used across industrial facilities for applications including screwing, gluing, assembly and pick-and-place operations. However, energy guidance for these robots has remained a challenge.
“Small robots rotate through 360° and require cable guidance at the base that follows this movement. There are no suitable rotary modules on the market,” says Matthias Meyer, Head of the triflex e-chains and Robotics Business Unit at igus.
According to Meyer, one of the key challenges is the connector plate for the power supply located at the back of the robot, which interferes with rotary modules. As a result, many design engineers continue to use makeshift solutions, such as hanging hoses that drag across the floor and wear out quickly.
To overcome this issue, igus has developed an unsupported twisterchain energy supply system. The rotary module is positioned in a sag around the robot base, either on the floor or on a raised plinth. The fixed point is attached to the ground, while the moving end side is fixed slightly higher on the first axis.
When the robot rotates, the energy chain lifts upwards step by step and moves to a new level. “For the first time, it is now possible to rotate through 360° around the base of the robot without colliding with the connector contour,” says Meyer.
The solution eliminates the need for improvised arrangements and improves the reliability of compact industrial robots.
With the new unsupported twisterchain, igus is also addressing energy supply challenges on the fifth axis of palletising robots. In many applications, these robots guide cables through the robot arm, but this approach often works only up to the fourth axis.
“Suitable solutions for the rotary movement on the fifth axis have also been lacking to date. Design engineers often make do with corrugated hoses, which can move around uncontrollably and collide with the tool,” says Meyer.
The unsupported twisterchain can be used in these applications to improve safety and reliability. Its specially developed design enables power and data cables on the fifth axis to follow 360° rotations of the tool. The controlled and defined movement across two levels prevents cables from colliding with the robot arm or tool.
“The system therefore offers maximum freedom of movement for applications with extended rotation angles and ensures permanently reliable energy supply even with highly dynamic movement profiles,” says Meyer.
The new twisterchain variant can be installed quickly. “As the solution is unsupported, we only need two connection points on the robot. Expensive guide troughs and complicated alignments are superfluous,” emphasises Meyer.
The e-chains can be adapted to different cable configurations through flexible interior separation with removable shelves. Another advantage is that the energy chains can be opened in the inner radius, allowing users to insert cables from the outside.
“This is a major advantage over hoses that require users to thread the cables. Different connector sizes are always a limiting factor,” says Meyer.
The system features adjustable pretension, allowing it to be precisely adapted to each application. This can be adjusted according to cable weight and the required rotation angle, providing an advantage for fine-tuning robots and machines that require high repeatability and stability.
igus twisterchain
industrial robot energy supply
articulated arm robots
palletising robots
robotic cable management
industrial automation
energy chains
smart manufacturing solutions
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Igus launches unsupported energy chain for compact industrial robot applications
Igus has introduced a new unsupported twisterchain energy supply solution designed to address cable guidance challenges in compact industrial robots and palletising robot fifth-axis applications.
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