TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
In Brief...
Safety at high speed with igus e-chain
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Side-mounted energy chain from igus ensures reliable
energy supply in high-speed lightweight linear robots
Twice as fast at half the weight: this is what makes
the linear motor robot from Fibro Läpple Technology
(FLT) diff erent from many other solutions. In order for
the linear robot to be able to get production up and
running quickly and reliably, a compact, durable and
silent energy supply was required. A side-mounted igus
energy chain system with pre-harnessed chainfl ex cables
proved to be the optimal solution.
Due to the demands of production for faster, more
intelligent and economically profi table solutions, Fibro
Läpple Technology has developed a linear robot which
maximises production performance. In a new carbon fi bre
design, the linear motor robot saves up to 50 per cent in
weight compared to conventional solutions. The weight
reduction enables twice the speed accelerations of up to
26m/s2 at twice the positioning accuracy. Instead of a rack
and pinion drive the designers chose a linear motor which
allows very high dynamics.
12 » SEPTEMBER 2020 » WWW.MADEIN.IE
An unsupported energy chain of the E4.1 series from
igus ensures a secure energy supply for the z-axis. The
integration of a suitable energy chain solution in the
compact installation space of the x-axis was a challenge.
This was because a classic gliding or unsupported
solution was out of the question due to the high forces.
“Together with igus, we therefore decided on a sidemounted
energy chain”, explains Boris Bind, Head of
Mechanical Design and Development at Fibro Läpple
Technology.
An E4.1 series energy chain is used with additional
sliding pads that further reduce wear. The engineers
also selected the igus range of cables. They chose
pre-harnessed chainfl ex cables – readycables – that are
specifi cally designed for use in energy chains. The large
number of tests in the company’s own 3,800 square
metre test laboratory mean that they are able to give a
guarantee for 36 months. The complete system is housed
in a special guide trough, which further minimises noise
and increases the reliability of the system.
New white light interferometers
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Micro-Epsilon has developed a completely new range of
high-performance white light interferometers that provide
new high accuracy levels in absolute non-contact optical
distance and thickness measurement. With measurement
resolution from 30 picometres and linearity from ±10nm,
these interferometers represent a step change in accuracy
from its confocal measurement systems.
In development for more than 10 years, the new
interferoMETER range from Micro-Epsilon comprises
a controller, a sensor and a fi bre optic cable. Unlike
traditional laser interferometers that use a single
wavelength and only perform relative measurements,
the interferoMETER range from Micro-Epsilon operates
with a broadband super-luminescent diode (SLED) and
can make absolute measurements, ideal for step height
and surface measurements.
The use of a longer wavelength, 840nm, allows for
a greater overall measurement range.
Sandwich stacking automated
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Although simple automation can give some manufacturers the boost needed to increase production and product
consistency, more complex applications often require intelligent, fl exible robotic solutions that can adapt to variable
products and picking locations. In the case of a large-scale sandwich producer, growing production demands coupled
with a major labour shortage provided motivation for them to robotically automate a high-speed sandwich stacking
application. To resolve the challenge, TechBrew Robotics, a Kawasaki Robotics Preferred Integrator based in British
Columbia, Canada, designed a custom solution using Kawasaki’s R series robots and F60 controller.
Because TechBrew needed to integrate its solution into the customer’s existing production line, it meant making
creative use of limited space. To this end, the R series robots were inversely mounted on a cantilever beam attached to
the cutting machine, and the F60 controllers’ compact size made it possible to save further space by stacking them on top
of the sandwich cutting machine itself. To maximise throughput, the robots face outward, stacking sandwiches on two
diff erent conveyors which are running simultaneously.
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