Cable carrier takes power to robotics
A
Kabelschlepp Metool product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
May 2, 2005
Kabelschlepp Metool has launched a new, compact version of Robotrax, its easy-access, three-dimensional cable carrier for robotics and similar applications.
Kabelschlepp Metool has launched a new, compact version of Robotrax, its easy-access, three-dimensional cable carrier for robotics and similar applications.
Despite its smaller, more compact size, the new cable carrier has all the unique features of the original Robotrax, including a virtually indestructible "spinal cord" of steel wire and the open structure of the individual links which makes it extremely easy to insert or demount the cables.
The pretensioned steel wire at the core of the Kabelschlepp design is fitted with shim bolts at either end, which can be used to tighten the wire and the whole assembly.
This construction allows Robotrax to cope with acceleration forces up to 10g and the rapid, incessantly repeated movements characteristic of articulating arm robots.
Another valuable feature of Robotrax is an easy-to-use mounting bracket that can be attached to any link of the cable carrier, depending on the requirements of a particular installation.
This simple device is a two-part, hinged moulding fitted with quick-release hinge bolt which permits easy installation and servicing.
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.
The "vertebrae" are connected via ball and socket joints that allow 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.
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 axes while also performing more complex "arm" and "hand" movements.
Other 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.
Above all, they are far weaker since they are not supported by an internal steel wire.
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