COVER STORY


Wireless charging


Wireless charging of MoMas by


of MoMas by Wiferion by PULS


Wiferion by PULS


Wiferion’s Wireless Power Kit enables mobile manipulators to inductively charge for 24/7 operation


C


ollaborative robots, or cobots, are one of the fastest growing segments of robotics. Conventional industrial


robots must be shielded from the human workforce for safety, but cobots are designed to work alongside people. Mobile manipulators (MoMas) combine the advantages of cobots with those of autonomous mobile robots (AMR). A robot arm is mounted on an AMR, for more complex handling and transportation tasks with one system. Companies can reduce their investments, as a separate robot is no longer needed for each process.


Mobile manipulators are ideal for:           The market for MoMas has grown over the years, and will continue, since complex automation solutions do not  of small parts handling. Also, separate  making 24/7 operation near impossible. To avoid lenghty downtimes, additional power systems have to be purchased to take over during the charging breaks. This necessary oversizing of the MoMa  


Wireless Power Kit  system consisting of an intelligent charger and batteries. The kit is installed in the 


8 April 2024 | Automation


system of AMR and cobot  its tasks.   number of batteries and has an inductive charging system.  depending on the energy  system reliably supplies both a 24V and a 48V robot arm. In addition, it  standard DC/AC converters to provide any type of industrial power supply with 230VAC


AC .


This expands the possibilities of handling solutions that can be operated with the AMR if, for example, a robot arm only has an AC connection.


In addition to a higher energy density,


  the productivity of the MoMa by up to  intermediate charging of the manipulator  charging, the energy level of the vehicle battery remains constant. There is no need to fully discharge the battery and the associated long charging pauses. The charging process takes place whilst the manipulators carry out their work. If a MoMa inserts new parts at a machine tool for example, it is charged fully  the work step lasts. The process is repeated   can be used to supply energy. This makes 24/7 continuous operation of mobile     connections, the inductive battery


charging system is a closed system without mechanical contacts. It works without component wear and therefore guarantees    perform handling tasks in critical clean  proof areas, pharmaceuticals, laboratories or semiconductor production.  the factory navigation accuracy of all  positioning of the autonomous mobile  due to inaccurate positioning, which occur with contact chargers, are ruled out.


OMRON relies on Wiferion  solution that makes MoMas economical.  that make up a MoMa – the AMR, the  the various sensors and HMIs that are attached to the MoMa system depending  power supply. 


   can be relieved of undemanding and  tasks instead.


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