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| ROBOTRAX - ON A QUICK ARM New ROBOTRAX cable carrier on duty
Some designs convince at first glance: Like for example the new Robotrax family of cable carriers of KABELSCHLEPP. But would this machine component deliver in the field what it promises at the exhibition booth?
In a cell a robot has to combine three working steps: Pre-assembly, welding and calibration of parts for the front axle of the Ford Focus. The robot was manufactured by the company Reis in Obernburg, The system company Bräuer in Kirchhundem built the cell, which is working at the company Fischer and Kaufmann. The cell will produce about 350 pieces per hour in a three-shift operation. This results in more than 100.000 movements for the cable carrier and the cables/hoses per day. The head of the robot must be supplied with media, energy and control impulses: a multi-core electric cable and two water hoses for cooling. The so far common corrugated tubes show several disadvantages: The minimum bend radius cannot be defined, the cables must be lubricated and single cables cannot be exchanged. The Robotrax-cable carrier, however, does not fall under the minimum defined bend radius, thus saving the cables. As the cables are guided separately in chambers the friction is reduced. Due to the slots in the links cables/hoses can easily be added or exchanged – especially during the test phases of the cell an inestimable advantage . ROBOTRAX was specially developed for cable carriers used on swivel arm robots and other twisting, rotating and non-linear movement applications. It's simple push through cable installation offers a very simple and time saving assembly. The single circular links are clipped into each other in a fashion that somewhat resembles a human spinal column. ROBOTRAX is further reinforced to with a steel rope core to absorb and cushion the effects of extreme forces encountered during high acceleration common with swiveling arm robots. The cables are secured into one of three chambers. Due to the open link design of ROBOTRAX, a visual inspection of the cables for possible damage or wear can be easily performed at any time. Thus, individual cables can be easily swapped out before any damage or machine breakdown happens. Using the connecting elements specially developed for ROBOTRAX, the carrier chain can be fixed to the robot at any point of the chain. For maintenance work, the connecting elements can be opened without use of special tools by simply removing a pin. ROBOTRAX is suitable for swiveling and turning movements. Therefore all cable carrier tasks on a swivel arm robot can be fulfilled by one system. For the guidance of the chain, two different channel systems are available. For rotation of up to 700 degrees, there is variant A with linear run, whereas variant B in a cone arrangement is suitable for rotation of up to 360 degrees. However, the use of guide channels is not required in many applications.
Model: spinal column The new type of cable carrier consists of round plastic parts being clipped together along their turning angle. The spherical snap joint is designed in a way that a radial turn of the links is possible. On one meter length this results in a turning angle of +/- 215 degrees. A steel rope is pulled through the chain which transfers the high forces caused by the movements of the robot. The connecting element between chain and robot arm is designed in a way that it can be fixed to every link. This is important as the connecting points can only be found out by trying. The half bowl of the connection can easily be removed for exchanging a cable. Even complete systems can quickly be assembled or exchanged.
The movement of the axis 1 by 360 degrees on the floor causes special difficulties for the cable carrier. But there are two constructive solutions. The chain is either laid around the robot foot through a truncated cone or caught in a magazine box. But the turning movement can also be realized without guiding system. Even with this project no guiding channel was required. The robot turns by nearly 180 degrees but even bigger turning angles are possible without channel system. Kabelschlepp also offers complete systems consisting of cables, plugs and hoses. A Question of price Even compared to the common corrugated tubes the Robotrax is more reasonably priced. Further to the price advantage there are the technical advantages. „The price must always be related to the properties of the chain“, said Bräuer after having been asked for the costs. If lifetime, assembly friendliness, flexibility etc. are right the price is not very important for the basic equipment. The cable carrier Robotrax has been fitted to many installations since its introduction to the market at the latest Hanover Fair. The manufacturer took up many suggestions of robot manufacturers. This year four additional sizes and accessories such as integrated strain relief will be offered. Bräuer will then also fit a small chain to his robot for guiding cables at the robot head
For additional information about the ROBOTRAX Cable carrier System contact KabelSchlepp America, Inc. at 7100 West Marcia Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53223-3363. Tel: 414-354-1994, Fax 414-354-1900, or e-mail us at info@kabelschlepp.com and say, "I saw it in MotionShop.com" or visit our Web site at http://www.kabelschlepp.com.
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KABELSCHLEPP AMERICA, Milwaukee -- Even Arthur Bräuer was immediately enthusiastic. Since there are angle-arm robots, cable carriers again and again cause problems. Even the common corrugated tubes are not the cleverest solution. So far Bräuer made good experience with the products of Kabelschlepp. Therefore he wanted to test Robotrax.
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