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igus® has been manufacturing engineered plastics for 50 years, and develops each of the materials and all technology behind its products. Committed to using its innovative polymer materials to develop products that provide creative solutions and exceed customer expectations while delivering fast, accurate service. igus®’ polymer blends are used throughout its range of product lines of cable carriers, plastic bushings, spherical bearings, and linear bearings, guides, and slide tables. With constant advancement and technological breakthroughs, igus® is continually expanding its range of materials, and performs rigorous testing to ensure every product meets and exceeds industry standards. igus® sales engineers are available throughout North America for on-site technical support, friendly customer service is available 8am – 8 pm, and igus® offers over 80,000 parts in stock, ready to ship as early as that day. igus® also offers 3D CAD files, samples, and online tools, all completely free.
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Robolink Multi-axis Joint Modules
POSTED 08/15/2011
Successfully tested in 100 beta applications, now available for order
Robolink multi-axis joint modules from igus® are now available for order. Robolink is used for humanoid robots and other lightweight automation applications and includes a variety of options and components. These range from high-strength Bowden cables, to drive units and attachment accessories for the robot arm.
More than 100 beta-testers used free prototypes to further the development of robolink for a variety of applications before mass production began. The applications were diverse and ranged from underwater, mobile and humanoid robots, to dental technology and camera guidance for production monitoring and sewage-pipe inspection.
Design
Robolink joints combine design freedom with simplicity. To keep the dynamic forces of the system as low as possible, the actuators and control module are decoupled from the tools (e.g. grippers, hands or suction cups). The lightweight, maintenance-free, and corrosion-resistant joints are made from tribologically optimized plastics. They are driven by cables and can rotate and swivel freely. The lightweight feature and central drive option are important in the field of low-cost robotics.
Bowden cables used in the robolink system lower friction due to an optimized friction couple. A full range of mechanical accessories for attaching the robot joints and routing the Bowden cables includes flange shaft blocks, interior separators to divide drive and data cables, a cable tensioning system, and a range of cable pulleys.
Space-saving drive units featuring four drive motors and one housing, including cable deflectors and guides, are also available for the robolink system. The units use a configurable drive disc, which connects to the system. Users can attach the disc drive to a variety of different motor or gear shafts and then connect the wear-resistant cables.
Most recently, robolink was awarded the iF product design award 2011, which is internationally recognized as a marker for good design.
About igus
igus develops industry-leading energy chain® cable carriers, chainflex® continuous-flex cables, iglide® plastic plain bearings, igubal® spherical bearings, and drylin® linear bearings and guide systems. These seemingly unrelated products are linked together through a belief in making functionally advanced, yet affordable plastic components and assemblies. With plastic bearing experience since 1964, cable carrier experience since 1971 and continuous-flex cable since 1989, igus provides the right solution from over 80,000 products available from stock. No minimum order required.