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New choices embody the igusGO AI-driven app and extra low-cost automation. Supply: igus
At its annual press convention final week, igus GmbH previewed quite a few new merchandise upfront of the Hannover Messe commerce present. The Cologne, Germany-based firm introduced 247 new merchandise, together with lubrication-free drives utilizing movement plastics and new robots for academic, service, and industrial functions.
“We’re providing a cell manipulator for small corporations,” stated Alexander Mühlens, head of automation expertise and robotics at igus. He touted the corporate’s low-cost automation strategy.
“ReBeL on Wheels” combines a collaborative robotic arm with an autonomous cell robotic for €17,999 ($19,202 U.S.). An academic model is obtainable for €14,699 ($15,682). igus stated that’s 10x extra inexpensive than different fashions, and it’s beginning to provide the techniques within the German market.
The firm, whose U.S. headquarters are in Rumford, R.I., received a 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for a finger gripper to go along with the ReBeL cobot. igus will probably be exhibiting at subsequent week’s Robotics Summit & Expo at Sales space 414 in Corridor C within the Boston Conference and Exhibition Heart.
As well as, Mühlens will current a session at 2:45 p.m. EDT in Room 50 on Wednesday, Might 1, on “Automate Your Manufacturing facility for $2,799.” Registration is now open for the occasion.
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Instruments make robots simpler for SMEs to configure
Customers can simply add sensors, the igus Robotic Management programming software program, and a sound bar to ReBeL on Wheels, stated Mühlens. The cell manipulator contains gearboxes utilizing the corporate’s patented movement plastics.
To assist individuals “attempt before you purchase,” igus permits without spending a dime distant testing. “You may scan a QR code into your cell phone for to check the robotic butler,” Mühlens famous.
As well as, the “Envisioner” in igus Robotic Management can assist robotics builders and integrators, he stated. The Configurator within the RBTX on-line market reveals the middle of gravity for each half in a delta robotic cell, permitting the system to simply decide and place them.
“It robotically is aware of the middle of gravity, and you’ll simply purchase the webcam for beneath €100 [$106.67],” stated Mühlens. “We’ll be selecting RBTX goodies at Hannover Messe.”
“Everyone seems to be on the lookout for options for screwing and gluing within the furnishings trade, as an illustration,” he stated. “Now with RBTX and our 3D machine planner, you may mix robots with grippers and conveyors into cells for one mounted value.”
In actual fact, igus makes use of AI in order that if a consumer uploads a photograph, it may give a 3D suggestion.
“With the Configurator, a buyer can take a couple of steps and get a stay value,” Mühlens defined. “For instance, you can select ReBeL and a gripper for a cell, get measurements inside the program, obtain recordsdata, and take a look at all of the components and costs. You can too select an set up and buildup service or do it your self.”
igus stated its new machine planner affords small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) the flexibility to outline cobot workspaces, construct round its robots, and select robotic housings.
Movement-plastic components get four-year assure
Machine failures attributable to inadequate lubrication price $750 billion yearly, and greater than 24 million tons of lubricant seep into water and soil yearly, in accordance with igus. The corporate stated its self-lubricating, high-performance polymers, in addition to using synthetic intelligence and digital actuality in design, can cut back such expensive waste.
This 12 months, igus is extending its four-year product assure to all of its dry-tech merchandise. It additionally affords free substitute of bearings, drives, 3D-printed components, and linear actuators.
These strikes exhibit the corporate’s confidence of their lengthy service life and consciousness of the significance of sustainability in Business 4.0, stated Stefan Niermann, vp and head of the drylin division, and Rainer Rössel, vp and head of the chainflex division at igus.
“The efficiency of movement plastics is usually underestimated,” added Lars Butenschön, enterprise unit supervisor for iglidur bearings at igus. He cited their utility in building and agriculture. The corporate can be providing new high-load bearings for heavy equipment in its “Zero Lubrication” vary.
As well as, lubrication-free bearings are appropriate for meals and packaging functions, stated Michael Offner, vp and head of trade administration on the family-owned firm.
“An unlimited vary of functions may use them,” famous Tobias Vogel, igus’ CEO of bearings and linear expertise. With the igusGO app, machine builders can use voice controls and AI chat to configure excavators with such components, he stated.
As electrification garners extra curiosity worldwide, notably in e-mobility, battery manufacturing, and shore energy, movement plastics may be an enabling expertise, asserted Martin Tiling, head of igus’ shore energy enterprise unit.
igus stories €1.13B turnover, launches bike model
After producing €1.15 billion ($1.23 billion) in 2022, igus reported €1.13 billion ($1.21 billion) for 2023. Whereas the worldwide financial slowdown affected the corporate, it’s nonetheless approaching its objective of 1 million industrial prospects per 12 months, acknowledged Michael Blass, managing director of e-chain techniques.
“We’re due to this fact happy that now we have not less than come somewhat nearer to this objective in a tough 12 months,” he stated. “We’ve invested €433 million [$464.6 million] on this plan over the past three years, €210 million [$224.8 million] of which on the Cologne website.”
igus has invested in expanded manufacturing in Germany and the U.S., accelerating success of orders to inside a couple of days, and persevering with analysis and growth, in accordance with Blass. It is usually planning building in China, Taiwan, India, Italy, Spain, Poland, Mexico, and Turkey.
To exhibit its movement plastics at human quite than industrial scale, the corporate has developed the igus:bike from recycled supplies. The bicycle, which received’t rust and may be recycled itself, is now going into serial manufacturing beneath the new model title RCYL. It can go in the marketplace in Germany for €1,200 ($1,284) this 12 months.