Page 6 - Industrial Technology EXTRA - 22nd June 2020

ROBOTICS...

Robots get greater range with

plug-and-play linear actuators

With a multi-part design enables linear travel distances of up to 18m, these new

plug-and-play linear actuators from Schaeffler give robots a greater working radius
ndustrial robots have long been established as appropriate motor/gearbox unit, prefabricated motor
the technology of choice when it comes to cables, a drag chain for all of the cobot’s supply
efficient automation solutions for a wide range lines/cables, and a motor controller. The solution
Iof handling and processing tasks. Now, thanks comes complete with Profibus, Profinet, and
to a new innovation, owners and users can EtherCAT interfaces for connection to the
significantly extend the working range of their robots customer’s control system. The linear axis solutions
and cobots (collaborative robots) by installing have various options for connecting to the
Schaeffler driven linear units as horizontal axes. motor/gearbox units. Customers also have the
Schaeffler offers its customers linear actuators option of using their drive technology instead of the
as customised turnkey solutions. The compact, Schaeffler drive solution if they so wish.
ready-to-install linear axis solution developed Depending on customer requirements,
by Schaeffler consists of a MDKUVE the linear axis can be supplied in various
tandem actuator, a corresponding lengths and can be driven by a
adapter plate for the cobot, an MDKUVE-KGT ball screw drive, a
MDKUVE-3ZR toothed belt drive, or a
linear motor. In the tandem actuator,
which forms the basis of the linear axis, the guide
carriage runs along two parallel KUVE-type
monorail guidance systems (four-row linear recircu-
lating ball bearing and guideway assem-
blies). Due to its compact design envelope,
the tandem actuator is ideally suited for
use in applications involving high
carrying and moment loads – such as
collaborative robots. Tandem
actuators offer maximum
reliability in these applica-
tions when used with triple
toothed belt drives.

June 2020 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA! • p6