With his portfolio for the Low cost automation möchte Igus Make it easier for companies to get started with automation. Small and medium-sized companies in particular are to be cleared of the hurdles. For this purpose, the motion plastics specialist has built up a broad network of more than 75 robotics suppliers and 40 integrators over the past three years. Here you can find out everything about the world of Igus robot from Strain wave gear to the delta robot.

Igus robotics

 

Contents

 

Application phase for 3rd Roibot Award 2024 started

Igus Roibot15.01.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX | Igus is looking for creative people again Low-cost automation projects with the fastest return on investment. For the third time now, the motion plastics specialist has presented them with the Roibot Award. Users can apply now and win low-cost automation products worth 5000 euros as well as international recognition.

Igus organizes the international competition every two years. In 2022, 110 projects from 20 countries applied. Users can register up to June 30, 2024 apply for the Roibot Award with your automation projects.

The company offers this upon request Support. A team of experts creates video and image recordings of the application free of charge and oversees the staging. Participants skip the application process and are directly candidates for the competition.

The prerequisite for participation is that the LCA solutions work with components purchased from Igus or via RBTX.com. These include, for example, articulated arm robots, Cartesian robots, delta robots and Scara robots.

robot marketplace

With its low-cost automation offer, igus has set out to lower the barriers to entry into the age of automation. The platform has also been part of the low-cost automation offering from igus since 2019 RBTX.com. Here you can find out how the market is developing.

What is RBTX?

RBTX is a Online marketplace for low-cost automation. On the Robotic-Marketplace, users can easily find a cost-effective and suitable Automationfind a solution as a complete system for your individual application. The offer includes cost-effective robotic components and complete solutions as well as the RBTXpert remote integration service. Planned customer applications can be tested live together in customer testing areas at various locations around the world before they are purchased. True to the motto: "Test before invest", the RBTX market makes automation accessible to everyone.

Robotics marketplace expanded to 18 countries

23.01.2023/XNUMX/XNUMX | igus is expanding its range of low-cost automation to establish itself in ten additional countriesn out, three more will follow soon.

Alexander Mühlen, Head of the Automation Technology and Robotics division at igus, comments: “We started in Germany in 2019 before expanding our range to Austria, France, Great Britain, the USA, Canada, India and Singapore.

We are now offering RBTX in ten more countries: Poland, Switzerland, Denmark, Italy, Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand. Spain, Brazil and Turkey will follow soon.”

Robot integration with remote services

RBTX.com is currently bustling with over 300 robotic components from 78 manufacturers and more than 150 complete solutions from practice - including guaranteed hardware and software compatibility. The online marketplace is now also a place where people and Robot to encounter.

During the Customer testing area customers can test the feasibility of their planned application together with an "RBTXpert", the remote integrator service. To do this, the RBTXpert connects via a live video call from this environment with the interested party for individual advice. “In Germany alone we carry out up to 30 projects per week. We also have customer testing areas on site in many other countries, so that the RBTXpert can provide advice in various languages ​​and time zones,” emphasizes Alexander Mühlens. “For example, there are applications for Glue starting at 5804 euros or quality controls from 5476 euros.”

 

Igus exhibits at the Automatica 2023.

Partner network for low cost robotics is growing

01.12.2022 | Due to constant further developments and product innovations, the affordable robotics increasingly interesting for small and medium-sized companies.

Thanks to the modularity of the wide igus portfolio of articulated arm and portal robots as well as Delta and Scara robots, after the Build or buy principle put together individual components or individual complete solutions. The focus is always on a low entry-level price and quick amortization.

With the high-performanceplasticen of the manufacturer succeeds excellently. The cost-effective components are tribologically optimized, particularly durable, light, lubrication and maintenance-free. “We want to make the best automation solution for their individual requirements quickly and easily accessible to interested parties at the lowest possible budget. 2-axis robots already exist from € 1100“, explains Alexander Mühlens.

Working together to find the cheapest solution that works

Since the start in 2019, the Cologne-based company has built up a broad partner network that is constantly growing. As part of the LCA partner program, igus works with integrators who support customers with additional know-how and experience with end customer projects as well as joint project experience.


Mayr Robco safety brakeSafety brake protects Robco robot kit


Alexander Mühlens: “Around two years ago we started with 7 partners, in the meantime there are already almost 100. Together we can offer our customers a wide range of automation solutions - with a focus on a total investment volume of less than 45.000 euros. Together with our customers, we select the ideal integrator for the application in order to find the best possible and most cost-effective solution.”

Typical services are, for example, the integration of a steering in existing machines, assembly and commissioning of a robot, the assessment of safety measures or, if there is simply a lack of capacity, the possibility of having the machines assembled on site."

Experience low-cost automation live on site

Like Igus, many integrators also have one themselves Customer testing area built up. So you can experience low-cost automation live. “Nothing is more convincing than being able to experience robot programming or adaptations of grippers on site within 30 minutes. In Cologne alone, we have over 30 customer visits a week," reports Mr. Mühlens.


robot softwareProgramming robots | software and controls


The range of test areas is large: from a delta robot cell at ITQ GmbH in Garching near Munich to a 150 m² area with four robots and portal axes at Provitec near Heilbronn to a 1400 m² customer testing area at Truphysics in Stuttgart with alone 300 m² for igus products alone.

With its own low-cost automation Roadshow and together with the integrator partners, the initiator also visits customers directly on site or organizes events at their partners. "We have already organized roadshow events with a total of around 3500 visitors in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Belgium, France as well as in Switzerland and the Netherlands," says Alexander Mühlens.

“Those interested can find currently compatible components from a total of 78 partners on RBTX.com. The marketplace currently has 100 low-cost applications with parts list as well as hardware and software compatibility for price transparency. As an open marketplace, we are always interested in new partners for the "Low Cost Robotics" mission". The partners, on the other hand, benefit from the new digital sales channel.

Assemble portal robots like with the Playstation



05.05.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX | Igus has its online configurator for Low-cost gantry robot undergone a facelift. With the help of the Unity game engine, operation has become even more efficient. Users can easily configure an individual portal robot ready for connection in just 5 minutes - with live price information. Each automation solution can also be programmed and tested directly in the selected workspace using online tools. CAD data and a suitable drawing can be loaded.

With just a few clicks, even laypeople can use the online configurator to configure ready-to-connect low-cost portal robots that are on sliding Drylin linear guides based. Linear robots are available without controls from 1000 euros each, with controls and software from around 4000 euros.

Configure individual robot

The one used for the new design of the configurator Platform Unity is usually used in the development of PC games and game consoles. The operation of the configurator is correspondingly intuitive and works roughly as follows:

  • Select robot kinematics
  • Select robot
  • Configure portal
  • represent construction space
  • Define robot movements
  • Show file via app in VR
  • choose control
  • Order
  • Receive robot.

A short time after the online order, the robot is at the door. Pre-assembled portals in standard sizes can even be dispatched within 24 hours. Additional components such as grab, vision systems, Engines and sensors, available through the RBTX marketplace, complete the automation solution.

Digital presence in the Amazon age - interview

10.07.2019/XNUMX/XNUMX | In this interview we take a look Christian Batz, authorized signatory, digital, igus GmbH in Cologne, behind the scenes of the RBTX marketplace and digitization in the company with pioneering characteristics. We asked Mr. Batz the following questions:

  • Igus is a pioneer in terms of digitalization: What's your situation internally?
  • What is the effort behind your excellent online configurators?
  • If you compare Igus with Amazon: what do you have in common, what are your differences?
  • Brand new is your marketplace RBTX: What is behind it?

 
                                                                                                          

Platform brings users and providers together

12.04.2019/XNUMX/XNUMX | With the new online platform "RBTX", igus presents a world first. This brings users and suppliers of low-cost robotic components together quickly and easily. While users can customize their robotics solution, suppliers of robotics components have the opportunity to market their products to a larger audience.

All possibilities of low-cost robotics Bundling in one platform and making everything transparent and easy: That is the goal of RBTX.com. Together with 16 other partners from the industry, the motion plastics specialist is presenting a platform model that brings suppliers and users together online.

The idea: Customers should be able to put together their own robot solution with just a few clicks. The basic electro-mechanical framework is initially a "raw robot" from igus in the form of an articulated arm robot, delta robot or Cartesian robot. In the next step, the user expands this basis with individual components from different manufacturers such as grab, cameras and controllers. The advantage and security is made possible by components that are compatible with each other.

For manufacturers, the online platform is intended to open up new target groups and distribution channels for their low-cost automation offerings and offer the opportunity to continually expand the platform with new components. In the future, users will always have up-to-date and clear access to a rapidly evolving market segment.

"The RBTX concept offers companies, start-ups, research institutes and machine builders fast individual robot solutions with low entry costs of a few thousand euros and short amortization times," emphasizes Christian Batz, Head of Igus Digital. "It is a low-risk entry into the age of automation and thus an investment in the competitiveness of tomorrow.”

In the future, the platform should also enable the configuration of the robot mechanics itself, starting with gears, joints and connecting components.


CNC+ Robot programming on a platform


At the exhibition stand Hannover Messe let himself Digital Twin Simulate a robot in a fictitious production environment including motion sequences via Augmented Reality (AR). This gave visitors an interesting glimpse into a possible future of the platform. The AR tool made the robot package visible.

The visitor was thus able to view the robot in its robot cell directly on the machine, including its range and movements, and to make adjustments if necessary. “The user sees the interaction between reality and the digital robot on a tablet. And he finds out whether the configuration works and fits the individual place of use," says Christian Batz.

From raw bot to robot on online marketplace

06.03.2019 | Low-cost automation below the established automation providers - that is what many users want. But the realization is often difficult: what fits together? How good is the solution? Who can support me? igus is now presenting two new solutions: a 4 to 5 axis rawbot made of plastic and the model of an online marketplace for suppliers and users.

The Rohboter basis provides the electro-mechanical framework, for example as a Robolink 4 or 5-axis articulated arm, delta or Cartesian robot. Thanks to a modular principle, lubrication-free and maintenance-free robotic systems can be put together individually. Engines, Transmission, power Electronics, control, GUI – everything is freely selectable.

The company is presenting the latest generation of articulated-arm robots at a trade fair stand. The compact articulated arms are light, lubrication and maintenance-free, durable and cheaper to produce. This means that small, configurable quantities can be realized as well as large quantities for machine builders and robot manufacturers.

The play of the new arm has been further reduced by the plastic design, which means that the Robolink can be more precise. Thanks to integrated cable ducts, the cables are routed inside in the latest enclosed generation. This saves space and prepares the articulated arms for use in the field of Human-robot Collaboration (MRK) before. The new DC articulated arm can be individually configured and, depending on the type of application, also with grabn, cameras or sensors from various manufacturers. A new online platform helps.


Robotic arm Robolink Igusrobotic arm | also as a kit


The digital marketplace is designed to help customers quickly find and integrate exactly the low-cost automation solution they need for their application. Regardless of whether he wants to build something himself with individual components or is looking for an inexpensive complete solution. This benefits customers without their own robotics know-how who simply want to automate manual tasks, as well as professionals who put together their own specific solution. This offers for providers Marketplace Model in addition, easy access to a rapidly developing market segment. A real marketplace can be seen at the booth. Together with technology partners, the possibilities of low-cost automation are shown.

New developments of robots and cobots

 

Cobots, articulated arm robots, portal robots, delta robots and Scara robots are available from igus in a wide variety. Can't make up your mind? There is a remedy: the virtual one Iguverse (Metaverse) provides the perfect playground to get robot applications and programming up and running and then into reality with ease. Looking to the future, igus predicts how people working collaboratively in the metaverse and, for example, controlling robots from virtual worlds will change the way we work together. You can see below which robots can probably be found there as Avartars:

Bionic finger gripper for Cobot Rebel

November 30.11.2023, XNUMX | So that the Cobot Rebel In order for it to actually work, it needs suitable end effectors such as grippers and suction cups. Igus offers a large selection from various manufacturers on its website Marketplace RBTX. Due to some customer requests for a robotic hand that simply plugs and plays with the Cobot can be connected Igus now developed a finger gripper himself.

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Humanoid robotics as everyday helpers

27.05.2022/2022/XNUMX | Igus has also been researching humanoid robotics for some time. At the Hannover Messe XNUMX, the Cologne-based company is now presenting the first prototypes: The humanoid robot combines the advantages of high-performance plastics and low-cost automation.

There is constant progress in the research and development of humanoid robotics. For example, a research team from Chemnitz University of Technology is developing one E-Skin – a touch-sensitive electronic skin that could make humanoid robots even more human-like.

The first igus vision of a humanoid robot already has a name: "With our Rebel and Drytech service robots, suitable components were already available to get a robot moving. 

The humanoid robot is a joint project with the robotics experts of the Stuttgart start-up Truphysics. Here the intelligent humanoid was assembled from our Motion Plastics and other components. He is under the name Robert M3 available,” explains Alexander Mühlens.

"With the bot, we want to show the interaction between our products made of high-performance plastics and integrated intelligence - and at an affordable price." 

Light and maintenance-free low cost humanoid

Through the use of maintenance-free and lightweight tribo-polymers, the Low cost humanoid With a height of up to 2,70 m, it weighs only 78 kg. Its wingspan is 1,50 m. It is based on a self-propelled Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV), a telescopic body and a head with an integrated screen and avatar for interactive communication.

The central component is also the Rebel with Cobot abilities. He provides the robotic arms for the bot. Its "heart" beats through a fully integrated tribo-wave gear made of plastic with a motor, absolute valueEncoder, force control and controller. The bot moves at walking pace and has a payload of 2 kg/arm. It is controlled as an open source solution via the Robot Operating System (ROS). Because the entire low-cost automation range from iIgus can be mapped in ROS.

Smart cobot and service robotics

Igus is now delivering the Service robot Rebel also available as a smart version. Just one year after its initial presentation of the gearbox modular system for cobots, Igus is already recording 20 automation projects per week. We rely entirely on our own Motion Plastics expertise. 

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Articulated robots for low cost automation

Igus robotic armLow-cost automation can also be easily implemented with the Robolink modular system from igus. The articulated arm robot is a revolutionary robotic solution for the simple automation of monotonous and dangerous processes. This is made possible, among other things, by the long-lasting and at the same time cost-saving Tribo plastic Strain wave gear

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Fast delta robot for assembly

Igus Delta17.06.2018/XNUMX/XNUMX | Light, inexpensive and quick to grab: This is the new one Delta robot by Igus. Consisting of maintenance-free toothed belt axes, lubrication-free coupling rods, Encoders and Stepper Motors the Motion Plastics specialist has now developed a new lightweight automation solution for assembly tasks.

Available directly from the warehouse as a pre-assembled kit or ready to install, the system can be used immediately. The acquisition costs are amortized after half a year.

The robot is based on three maintenance-free Drylin ZLW toothed belt axes, lubricant-free "Igubal" coupling rods and matching adapter plates. Nema stepper motors and encoders ensure fast handling of up to 1 kg with a precision of ±0,5 mm. The complete system has an installation space of up to 420 mm in diameter and can carry up to 5 kg at lower speeds.

The lightweight construction, consisting of aluminum and plastic, makes the Delta robot with a price of under 5000 Euro extremely cost-effective and ensures high speeds with a pick rate of at least 60 per minute. “The inexpensive Delta robot enables our customers to have their own control box and integration at costs of around 10.000 to 15.000 euros. These pay for themselves after just a few months, six months at the most,” explains Stefan Niermann, Head of the Drylin Linear and Drive Technology at Igus.

The Delta robot can be delivered according to customer requirements within 24 hours as a pre-assembled kit including assembly instructions in a 18 kg light box or directly ready for installation in a transport frame. Optionally, the customer can use their own software and control or the intuitive and easy-to-use "Dryve" D1 control. The use of the Delta robot is particularly suitable for simple assembly tasks, pick-and-place tasks and applications in testing technology.



Igus components for robots

 

Ob Strain wave gear, toothed belt axis, stepper motor, linear technology, Energy chain or bearings and much more: When used in low-cost automation, they all offer the Advantages of high-performance plastics by Igus. Here you will find components and assemblies that have been specially developed for robotics:

Condition monitoring of a 3D energy chain



27.05.2023/XNUMX/XNUMX | With a sensor and an investment of just a few hundred euros, the safety of a robot system can now be increased. The i.Sense TR.B Sensor from igus is connected directly to the PLC customer control without additional software. If a chain link breaks, the sensor detects the change in length of the cable installed in the chain and sends a digital signal to the system control. The lightning-fast breakage detection enables immediate maintenance measures. Unplanned downtimes or total failures due to a broken chain link are thus avoided. 

7th axis expands the workspace by up to 400%

25.11.2021 | articulated robot Moving more than 6 m and thereby quadrupling the working space is now possible with the 7th axis from igus. Thanks to a simple plug-and-play kit, it is compatible with all lightweight articulated arm robots worldwide.

So far, models from Universal Robots, Epson and the manufacturer's own Robolink series have benefited from this increased mobility. Added to this are Omron, Franka Emika, Doosan, Yuanda Robotics and many other providers of lightweight robotics.

First users of the so-called 7th axis, a linear axis with an electric toothed belt drive, were enthusiastic, according to Alexander Mühlens: “Thanks to the additional axis, their articulated-arm robots are suddenly as mobile as humans. This enables you to take on multiple tasks in automation environments, making you significantly more productive.

Ready-to-connect complete solution

In the future everyone can Lightweight articulated arm robot with a weight of 10 to 50 kg or, depending on the dynamics, with a payload of 2 to 20 kg, use the 7th axis. The system is available as a ready-to-connect complete system from a single source.

It consists of a series toothed belt axis that is up to 6 m long Dryline ZLW with two aluminum parallel rails that can be attached to the floor, walls or ceilings and a toothed belt drive stepper motor for a positioning accuracy of 0,3 mm. An energy chain for the energy and data lines, a switch cabinet-Integration kit with cables, motor controller, software solution and a slide with the adapter plate, which can be adapted to the geometry of thousands of articulated arm robots, are on board.

The system works maintenance-free. While the slides move on the aluminum rails, the high-performance plastic of the bearings enables low-friction and maintenance-free dry running without the need for relubrication. Thus, the axis is hygienic. Especially as a stainless steel variant with FDA-compliant components, the linear guide is also suitable for industries such as the Food industry.

Telescopic energy chain for robots

06.05.2021 | For safe, easy and compact guiding of the cables and wires Igus presents the four-dimensional energy chain in motion Triflex TRX. This new design study replaces classic robotic hose packages and retraction systems. 

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Plug-and-play gearbox kit for robots

18.02.2021 | At the center of the new Gearbox kitThe fully integrated Tribo strain wave gear with motor stands for robotics, absolute value Encoder, force control and controller. Deployed in Service robot Rebel the motion plastics specialist is now accelerating low-cost automation.

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Intelligent robot line provides early warning of failure

18.03.2016/XNUMX/XNUMX | As the degree of automation in industry increases, so does the number and speed of machine movements, while the degree of networking within the factory increases. With the world's largest Ethernet line program for the e-chain including a unique 36-month guarantee, even the most demanding applications in the smart factory can be securely networked.

An intelligent robot line will be presented that warns users in good time of a line failure. In the case of fixed installation, standard Ethernet cables are usually used. However, these have only a very limited service life in motion. The largest range of Ethernet cables for the energy chain offers with 27 types in copper and fiber optics as well as 422 ready-made Ethernet cables, permanently the best transmission properties in motion.

The program covers the increasing variety of extensive applications in the field of Industry 4.0 - from simple linear movements in dusty woodworking machines to complex 3D movements on the cleanroom-Robots or from the smallest bending radii to long travel distances. As a smart solution, the motion specialist presents a moving cable that constantly monitors itself:

As soon as certain parameters are exceeded during operation, the intelligent robot line warns in good time and not only when the failure occurs, that a replacement must take place within the next four weeks. Cables optimized for movement also require feeding solutions optimized for movement. And that is always tailored to the specific requirement, be it directly on the individual machine or in the factory. The Triflex Series was developed for 3D movement on the robot.

With the Micro flizzsystem, for example, fiber optic cables can be safely routed as an alternative to busbars for storage and retrieval machines, so that transmission rates can also be achieved over the otherwise possible 100 Mbit. Secure and uninterrupted high-speed data transfer is also possible with the "D-Rover". The system can be coupled to port cranes or RTGs and achieves a data rate of 10 Gbit/s with fiber optic cables over a travel distance of over 800 m.

By producing cables on three continents and from 14 storage and assembly centers worldwide, the customer receives exactly the line he needs directly from the warehouse: as a single line individually cut, as a rolled-up piece of goods, as a ready-made cable or as a ready-to-install energy chain system.

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Author information
Oliver Cyrus

The author Oliver Cyrus is Head of Press + Advertising at igus GmbH in Cologne.