Feature Robotics & Motion Control
Bringing things to life
Developers of the humanoid robot, iCub, are using KAYDON bearing technology (available in the UK via R. A. Rodriguez) to aid the creation of motion systems that combine high performance, low weight and small size
T
he iCub is a project financed by the EU and based at the Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences and iCub Facility departments at the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa. It is an interna- tional venture to which many research establishments continue to contribute including the Universities of Hertford, Salford and Sheffield. iCub came into being to further research into artificial cognitive sys- tems. The robot is capable of physi- cally interacting with humans and researchers are also working to give the iCub complete independence. A recent development has been RoboSKIN which equips the surfaces of the robot with sensors so it can per- ceive contact with its environment, control interactive forces and avoid damage to itself and others. iCub is now also able to see and hear. Its application scope includes many applications in the industrial environ- ment. It houses 53 motors in total, of which 32 are in its hands and arms, allowing movements such as holding and delicate manipulation of objects.
A key role to play KAYDON became actively involved in the project when it started supply- ing its REALI-SLIM thin section bear- ings through its Italian partner, Milan-based Magi Srl. These bearings enable the rotation of various parts that make up the robot’s joints and keep it upright.
At the same time, the joint axes are kept in the correct alignment despite the exertion of tangential forces, which normally tends to deform the axis and/or other rotating compo- nents. As some parts rotate at speeds of several thousand revolutions per
32
Below: iCub came into being to aid further research into artificial cognitive systems
minute, absolute precision is impera- tive in order to prevent the entire mechanism seizing up. In some applications it has also been neces- sary to protect the moving parts from excessive loading.
The REALI-SLIM that is commonly used in iCub is a four-point bearing with small diameter, generally
25.4mm or 50.8mm (one or two inches). Compared with conventional radial bearings, the REALI-SLIM bear- ings are more rigid and can absorb higher radial, axial and torque loads - for applications that require even greater rigidity, pre-stressed bearings are supplied.
“The project demanded low fric- tion, highly compact bearings that were able to sustain high radial and axial loads in two directions for the robot’s joints,” explained professor Giorgio Metta who co-directs the pro- ject in Genoa with professor Giulio Sandini. “Based on these require- ments, the researchers rejected slide bearings and self lubricating bushes, opting instead for the REALI-SLIM series by KAYDON.”
R.A. Rodriguez
www.rarodriguez.co.uk T: 01462 670 044
Robotic cooperation
he Siemens Drive Technologies Division and KUKA Roboter have announced a comprehensive cooper- ation at EMO in Hanover. The central pillar of the cooperation is integration of KUKA robots and Siemens machine tool solutions (CNC) for loading machine tools.
T “With this joint approach, the two companies are
strengthening the fundamental idea of integrated pro- duction and can, for example, develop new markets by close intermeshing of machine tool tasks and loading tasks,” said Manfred Gundel, CEO of KUKA Roboter. “The CNC control from Siemens and the robot con-
trols from KUKA are ideal for integrating robot and CNC technology. With this cooperation we are deepening our many years of cooperation and advancing intelligent automation solutions as outlined by the Industry 4.0 project for the benefit of both partners and to expand
OCTOBER 2013 Automation
business,” added Dr Robert Neuhauser, CEO of Business Unit Motion Control Systems at Siemens. Siemens Drive Technologies
www.siemens.com T: 01784 412 564 KUKA
www.kuka.com T: +49 821 79750
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