Product category:
Robots and robotic systems
News Release from: Schunk Intec | Subject: Modular lightweight robotic arm
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 11 August 2006
Making lighter work of robotics
A modular lightweight robotic arm combines light and rigid materials to triple the nominal payload capacity of an exising device to 8kg and the product does not need an external robot controller.
Working in conjunction with Amtec robotics (a member of the Schunk group of companies), Schunk has launched a new modular LightWeight Arm (LWA 3) The combination of light and rigid materials has enabled Schunk to triple the nominal payload capacity of the LWA 3 to 8kg
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 7 Oct 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
'Collet jaw' chucks offer greater versatility
A 'collet jaw' chuck is more universal than either three-jaw chucks or collets and covers a greater diameter range than conventional collets thus increasing flexibility and cost effectiveness.
Zero-point clamping system reduces work resetting
Universal zero-point clamping system that provides accurate and repeatable set-ups of workholding fixtures allows workpieces to be moved through multiple operations with minimum resetting.
All the joint functions are defined as macros directly in the relevant PowerCubes.
As a result, the LWA 3 can be operated from a higher control level - eliminating the need of an external robot controller.
The LWA 3 also offers an outstanding degree of flexibility with hollow shaft drives for the protected routing of power.
Further reading
Universal tool clamping system ups m/c performance
An the alternative to conventional ER collet style toolholders offers ease of handling, more reliable tool clamping, vibration dampening and greater true running accuracy.
Quick chuck jaw change system cuts set-up times
Quick-jaw change system, to be shown at MACH 2006, meets the demands of small batch sizes with exceptional accuracy and repeatability, therefore significantly reducing set up costs.
It has CanBus and sensor cables inside the arm, switch outputs for electronic distance measuring, push-fit standard mounts on the LWA wrist joint for different gripper systems and the optional battery power supply for mobile use.
The modules of the LWA 3 are available in four graduated sizes with the largest module consisting a 120mm mounting flange and 230Nm torque to the versions with 100mm/74Nm and 80mm/26Nm through to the most compact unit with a 60mm flange and 4.6Nm torque.
For additional flexibility, the modules can also be combined with each other depending on the application.
This third generation LWA lightweight arm in conjunction with PowerCubes enables robots to be designed with up to 32 joints.
Depending on the specific version, these can be six to eight times lighter than conventional robots and can offer an arm/load- ratio of 2:1.
Another advantage of the LWA 3 is that it provides seven degrees of freedom as opposed to only six.
This is important if a service robot must operate in the background or an inspection system must observe an object in a background level.
* Gripping technology for the widest range of applications - modularity is also important when it comes to the selection of suitable gripping technologies.
The options that can easily be added to the servo-electric 'wrist joint' of the LWA 3 include the two-finger PG parallel gripper, the FTC force-torque sensor, the SGH servo-gripper hand and the Schunk hands SDH (Schunk Dextrous Hand) and SAH (Schunk Anthropomorphic Hand).
With the philosophy 'from the individual module to the complex robot structure', the LWA 3 can be used to create a wide range of multi-axis systems.
Typical application fields include tactile, sensor or camera-based inspection systems, service robotics, workplaces and processes involving man-machine interaction as well as mobile platforms such as light transport, monitoring or care-service robots. Request a free brochure from Schunk Intec ...
• Schunk Intec: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
