3D cable carrier takes power through robot arms
A
Kabelschlepp Metool product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Dec 11, 2002
Robotrax is the first truly three-dimensional cable carrier designed specifically to carry power and control cables, hydraulic and air/water lines in robotic equipment.
Robotrax is the first truly three-dimensional cable carrier, designed specifically to carry power and control cables, hydraulic and air/water lines in robotic equipment - particularly six-axis robots with a repertoire of complex multidirectional movement.
Robotrax is suitable for most industrial robotic applications, including those used in automotive assembly plants.
It is the first to solve the problem of performing both circular and multi-axial movements while delivering power and perhaps vacuum and coolant water to the robot's "hand" for applications such as lifting or welding.
Kabelschlepp's revolutionary new design resembles a human spine composed of identical, circular POM (polyoximethylene) mouldings that snap together to form a continuous flexible assembly of any length, further strengthened by a steel wire "spinal cord".
This runs through a hole in the centre of each link and is secured at either end in order to withstand the high acceleration forces of robots, many of which move at considerable speed.
The "vertebrae" join together through an integral ball and socket arrangement that allows 4-degree rotation and bending movements with a radius of 150mm.
The power and service lines are carried in three chambers around the perimeter of each moulding, allowing easy access for installation, visual inspection and maintenance.
Assembly is simply a matter of pressing cables and hoses into the appropriate compartment of the carrier via a longitudinal slit in its outer surface.
Another valuable feature, particularly for multi-axis robots, is the hinged clamping system that allows any Robotrax link to be fixed at the most appropriate point on each machine or application.
This offers easy installation and removal should any major maintenance or harness change be required.
Robotrax is the first design to offer a complete solution to the problem of delivering power and control supplies to robots which, typically, rotate through 360 degrees round their axis while also performing more complex "arm" and "hand" movements.
Previous solutions have used a combination of systems, including corrugated tubing or conduits and often have a chain-type carrier.
These have a number of significant disadvantages: cables have to be threaded through and are often tightly packed so risk chafing, visual inspection is impossible and if a cable needs replacing, the whole assembly has to be removed.
Robotrax is available ex-stock from Kabelschlepp Metool, the UK's largest manufacturer of flexible cable and hose handling systems supplying power as well as controls to all types of moving machinery.
(This was Engineeringtalk's Top Story on 10 December 2002).
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