Robotic joint module targets lightweight automation systems

The Northamptonshire based firm, best known for plastic bearings and cabling products, developed Robolink following its involvement with a student robotics challenge. The new modular device is designed for use in underwater vehicles, humanoid robots and camera guidance equipment. igus believes it could also be used for handling contaminated or explosive materials and for facilitating interaction between man and machine. At the heart of the system are lightweight, maintenance and corrosion-free joints with tribologically optimised plastic bearings. These bearings are driven via cables and can rotate and swivel freely. To articulate the multi-axis joints, igus has developed a range of flexible Bowden cables with polymer jackets that are said to combine low friction values with a long service life. The cables have small bending radi to make flexible movements possible and are suitable wherever frequent relative movements take place. Igus has also developed a complementary range of accessories for the Robolink system. These include flange shaft blocks for attaching the arms, interior divisions for the organised routing of the drive and data cables and a cable tensioner for re-tensioning of the system. On the electro-mechanical side, the company has developed space saving drive units. These are available in different performance classes with four or five drive motors in a housing. An individually configurable drive disc is also available that can be attached to a range of different motor or gear shafts and then connected to the wear-resistant cables. Simple control software is in development to program and store all the movements of a 4-axis jointed arm.