The ReBeLMove Professional acts as a flexible base for a number of add-ons, together with order-picking methods, good shelving models, and collaborative robots geared up with conveyor belts. | Supply: igus
Companies of all sizes want automation that they will simply combine into present processes with out earlier robotics expertise, in accordance with igus GmbH. Final month, it launched the ReBeLMove Professional, which it mentioned might be personalized for a variety of purposes. The corporate is utilizing the modular autonomous cellular robotic, or AMR, in its personal operations.
“igus itself is already utilizing the ReBeLMove Professional as a shuttle to move merchandise away from injection-molding machines in manufacturing,” said Sebastian Thorwarth-Kienbaum, a low-cost automation knowledgeable at igus. “These are tedious, routine duties in materials dealing with that corporations discover tough to get individuals enthusiastic about.”
igus develops and produces movement plastics. The Cologne, Germany-based firm mentioned its self-lubricating, high-performance polymers can scale back prices. igus claimed that it’s the international market chief in vitality provides, extremely versatile cables, plain and linear bearings, and lead-screw know-how made from tribo-polymers.
ReBeLMove Professional is adaptable to a number of duties
The ReBeLMove Professional relies on a compact, rectangular transport platform on 4 wheels with an electrical drive. The brand new robotic is 795 mm lengthy, 560 mm huge, and 195 mm excessive (31.2 x 22 x 7.6 in.); weighs 60 kg (132.2 lb.); and is painted black with orange accents typical of igus.
The AMR can navigate autonomously at a pace of as much as 2m/s (4.4 mph) and carry as much as 250 kg (551.1 lb.) or pull as much as 900 kg (1,984.1 lb.). One battery cost is sufficient for a full eight hour shift, mentioned the corporate.
By including attachments to the ReBeLMove Professional, customers can adapt it to completely different materials dealing with duties. Examples embrace height-adjustable conveyor belts and an articulated cobot arm for meeting workstations, a trailer for transporting supplies, or a shelf with mild indicators for extra productive order choosing. The brand new robotic will also be used outdoor.
AMR guarantees speedy integration, ROI
Financial savings lengthen past buy worth to integration and return on funding (ROI), mentioned igus.
“System integrators and software program licenses typically trigger excessive follow-up prices, which result in corporations placing the subject of automation on ice once more in frustration,” mentioned Thorwarth-Kienbaum. “We now have subsequently made a degree of guaranteeing that the ReBeLMove Professional might be built-in and operated with out outdoors assist or automation expertise.”
Throughout a easy spherical journey, the robotic creates a digital map utilizing lidar, 3D sensors, and a RealSense digital camera—mapping 200 m² (2,152.7 sq. ft.) in beneath three minutes. Customers can arrange actions in quarter-hour with out coding expertise, mentioned igus.
The ReBeLMove Professional integrates with IT methods through open interfaces — IoT, VDA 5050, REST, SAP, ERP — and it really works with fleet administration instruments like Fleetexecuter, Kinexon, and Naise.
“Because of the low funding prices and uncomplicated commissioning and operation, the typical return on funding for a ReBeLMove Professional is 12 months,” Thorwarth-Kienbaum mentioned. “The ReBeLMove Professional prices solely €38,900 [about $45,238 U.S.], round 25% lower than normal market options, which typically begin at €50,000 [$58,147], with out compromising on performance.”
igus builds vitality chain for compact areas
igus additionally just lately launched a one-piece, injection-molded vitality chain in its E1 sequence. The corporate mentioned the most recent providing supplies a simplified and extra dependable cable administration resolution for extremely compact areas.
“We obtained constructive suggestions from designers world wide who’ve been looking in useless for an economical cable information resolution for compact set up areas,” mentioned Kira Weller, product supervisor for e-chains at igus.
Designers typically skip cable guides in small installations, similar to in meals merchandising machines, laboratory gear, or electrical doorways. This dangers cable injury and might improve upkeep prices, asserted igus.
Comprised of a single piece of high-performance plastic, the E1 chain is cheaper than conventional assembled chains, the corporate claimed. igus mentioned its easy-chain precept permits customers to push particular person cables by versatile tooth with out instruments, securing them and defining a managed bend radius. This protects cables from chafing, kinking, and breaking, guaranteeing an extended system service life, it mentioned.
To speed up its transition to high-volume manufacturing, igus is actively searching for design engineers for pilot tasks. The corporate goals to collaborate with customers to adapt the e-chain for numerous purposes, together with these with extraordinarily brief actions of solely 40 mm (1.5 in.).
igus mentioned its e-chain cable carriers are extra sturdy than different plastic carriers. | Supply: igus
igus innovates and expands with sustainability in thoughts
igus is represented in 35 nations and employs 4,600 individuals throughout the globe. In 2023, it generated a turnover of €1.136 billion ($1.3 billion). The corporate presents greater than 234,000 gadgets in inventory by its Configurator, and their service lives might be calculated on-line.
Lately, the family-run firm has expanded by creating inside startups for applied sciences similar to ball bearings, robotic drives, 3D printing, “good plastics,” and the RBTX platform for lean robotics. The “chainge” initiative at igus recycles used e-chains and helps an organization that produces oil from plastic waste.
Final month, igus’ U.S. subsidiary celebrated its fortieth anniversary of operations by planting 40 bushes at Glenlyon Park and Kimberly Ann Rock Area in East Windfall, R.I. The corporate has expanded U.S. manufacturing of its drylin lead screw line and linear bearing assemblies by including 100,000 sq. ft. (9,290.3 sq. m) to its present 350,000 sq. ft. (32,516 sq. m) of area in Rumford, R.I.
“With considerate planning for price effectivity and our basic philosophy, we saved 27 metric tons of carbon dioxide, or as a lot as 1,300 vehicles, by renovating buildings from the Fifties reasonably than constructing new ones,” Felix Brockmeyer, CEO of igus Inc., advised The Robotic Report. “We’re dedicated to home manufacturing and innovation for shorter lead instances, improved responsiveness to buyer calls for, and danger mitigation.”
