MACHINE BUILDING, FRAMEWORKS & SAFETY FEATURE
and solutions which consist of two interconnected 8-port switches: “You would think that eight and eight are sixteen. But that is definitely not the case in this instance. The connection between the two 8-port switches is not designed to handle large amounts of data. Our device is a pure 16-port switch with a matching controller chip. The composite switches may be less expensive, but our 16-port switch is reliable and has the necessary power.” In special machine solutions, where
several large robot and processing modules are networked together, there are always cases where the Gigabit ports on the unmanaged 16-port switches are needed. One example is a large system for machining shafts, where a machine tool is positioned between two robot cells from HandlingTech.
ROBOTS IN ACTION The first robot station is tasked with
system above the grid box to calculate the best approach point for the robot gripper. The robot, equipped with an interchangeable gripper system, picks up the component with a magnetic gripper and deposits it on a clipboard, where it is aligned. It then loads the tool to machine the part. The robot in the subsequent cell unloads the machined shafts from the tool and packs the parts directly into cartons with a blister layer. The camera data is processed
When handling large amounts of data, Murrelektronik’s 16-port switches are the way to go
removing the workpieces from a grid box and loading the machine tool. The workpieces are fed to the system via a grid box in which the shafts are randomly placed. The robot uses path planning based on a point cloud to grip the components. A point cloud is generated based on data from a vision
“Murrelektronik switches have been installed in HandlingTech’s standard robot cells since the beginning of 2019. These include the Xelity 8-port unmanaged switches which prioritise PROFINET protocols. Xelity switches can transfer data packets at speeds of up to 100Mbit/sec”
autonomously on a separate computer. In this system, the 16-port switches are responsible for the communication between the robot systems. The two gigabit ports ensure communication with the higher-level controller, while the remaining 100 Mbit ports collect data from the various participants in the cell. Commenting on another benefit of
using Murrelektronik solutions, Schultz said: “If I have a technical question or a problem, I can get a product engineer or an application engineer on the phone quickly. In special machine construction, where orders are also won via delivery time, immediate response is important.”
Murrelektronik
www.murrelektronik.co.uk
Global robotics company uses igus product to keep robots alive A leading industrial robotics company is continuing to
breathe new life into old robots – thanks to a newly designed product from plastics experts igus
igus, the global manufacturer of energy chain systems and polymer plain bearings, was asked for a control panel cable management system by the team from robotics company ARAGON. Iryna Geike, manager at ARAGON,
explained: “Innovative solutions and our customers’ safety is at the heart of all we do, but until recently we had the challenge of cables running along floors – too easy to damage or trip over. That is why we approached igus. We needed cable management for industrial robots that would be quick to fit, easy to use and that put safety first.” The solution from igus was their
e-spool flex, complete with cable and a preassembled panel mount. Justin Leonard, e-chain director of
igus, which has its UK headquarters in Northampton, said: “A robot’s brain is its control panel and for this to be in the right place at the right time it needs a cable that is long, flexible, and stored safely. We are delighted to have been able to provide ARAGON with a solution and look forward to supporting this global company with its designs and solutions for decades to come.”
Geike added: “This igus product instantly won us over. Unlike other cable
reels it does not use a slip ring. This means media, data power and signal supply to the emergency stop button can be integrated into the system. Our customers now receive a pre-assembled set consisting of the e-spool flex, ARAGON panel mount, cable, and a robot control cabinet mounting bracket for the control panels.”
Rolling and unrolling cables: manually or automatically igus offers the e-spool flex in different specifications: • A low-cost version with a manual handle or cordless screwdriver to wind up the cable.
• An automatic solution with a spring-driven return mechanism, a locking mechanism, and an optional retraction brake. ARAGON decided on the second type,
complete with a retaining spring. The cable roller is available in three sizes for cables with diameters of 5 to 15 millimetres and
extension lengths of five to 15 metres. Cables can be replaced quickly at any time. In addition to subsequent integration of the e-spool flex into an existing cable system, igus offers this cable management solution fully harnessed with chainflex cables specifically designed for moving applications.
igus
www.igus.co.uk
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DESIGN SOLUTIONS | APRIL 2021
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