The igus ReBeL cobot (collaborative robot) now has a humanoid hand made of lubrication-free plastics, making it cost-effective and easy to integrate.ReBeL is a compact and lightweight cobot that makes it possible to enter the world of robotics with relatively low investment, making it suitable for assembly tasks, quality inspectionand in-service applications.

“Since the ReBeL is light and affordable, with a weight of around 8 kg and starting from £4200, it’s usedwidely in applications that humans would normally perform,” says Adam Sanjurgo, low-cost automation manager at Igus UK. “For this reason, we received several customer enquiries for a robotic hand that could easily connect to the ReBeL via plug-and-play.”

The ReBeL finger gripper, which can imitate human hand movements, is available from £2668 and is compatible with all ReBeL models.

“With the new low-cost hand, the ReBeL can perform a wide range of simple humanoid tasks and applications, especially in research and development departments,” says Sanjurgo.

As a point of note, Igus delivers all components directly, including flange mount, cables and the control system. The low price is partly due to the use lubrication-free plastics. The plain bearings in the joints, made of ‘Iglidur’,are not only cost-effective and lubrication-free, but also enable smooth and precise movements of the individual fingers, report Igus.

Extensive testing atthe company’s Cologne laboratory in Germany guarantees long life of the humanoid hand. Igus says it is extremely flexible, with control via various interfaces that include including USB, TTL (5 V) serial and internal scripting.

For further information www.igus.co.uk

Tezmaksan has launched three new iterations of its CubeBOX automation solutions that enable operator-free production in tending CNC machine tools.CubeBOX systems integrate with any control unit and any robot of the user’s choice, regardless of manufacturer or communication protocol.

Among the launches is the CubeBOX Pallet Pool, also referred to as Pallet Tower and Pallet Changer. The system is for automating CNC machining centres with limited floor space and can manage up to 24 pallets and 16 tools. Pallets are arranged in a compact circle in front of the machine, using a six-axis robot to load and unload into the system. The equipment reduces reliance on operators for loading and unloading, and can enable up to 24-hour operator-free operation.

Also now available is the CubeBOX RT Stacker (RT-S). The RT-S is suitable for lathes and vertical machining centres. The system uses two pallets for part loading and can tend one or two CNC machines. A key advantage of this model is the ability to stack two pallets on top of one another, enabling higher throughput without any increase in footprint.

Last but not least is the CubeBOX Space Cabinet, whichhas three drawers for holding product which is unloaded using a six-axis robot. Using this system, an operator does not have to restock the system regularly. When restocking is necessary, the CubeBOX Space Cabinet’s design allows drawers to be rolled into a reachable position for easy parts supply.

According to Tezmaksan, CubeBOX can increase night shift productivity by up to 50%, enabling an average return on investment (ROI) of eight months.

For further information https://tezmaksanrobotics.com

New from machine tool company DMG Mori is the PH Cell 500, a modular system for handling machine pallets carrying one or more fixtured components into and out of the working area of various models in the manufacturer’s monoBLOCK machining centre range. These models include the DMU 65 and DMU 75 second-generation verticalmachines, as well as the DMU 65 H horizontal model. Maximum transfer weight including the pallet is 500 kg.

The compact storage and retrieval system offers similar advantages to those of the larger PH Cell 800 for handling loads weighing up to 800 kg. Depending on the configuration of the rack modules, the PH Cell 500 has space for up to 32 pallets. Maximum workpiece dimensions are 500 x 500 x 750 mm.

As part of its ‘machining transformation’ drive, DMG Mori for many years has been developing and introducing customisable handling systems for automatically storing, loading and unloading components into the working area of its machine tools, either fixtured on pallets or directly as individual workpieces. Such configurations enable flexible, efficient production, even of small batches and one-offs. In practice, DMG Mori says the PH Cell 500 can increase productivity by up to 300% and reduce unit production costs by as much as 50% by rapidly presenting parts to the spindle.

The new cell is available as standard with a single storage module featuring three shelves with space for twelve 400 x 400 mm or nine 500 x 500 mm pallets. An alternative version with four shelves can accommodate 16 of the smaller or 12 of the larger pallets. A combination of different pallet sizes is possible.

DMG Mori can retrofit the PH Cell if the machine has been prepared at the factory for automation.

For further information www.dmgmori.com

Universal Robots, the Danish manufacturer of collaborative robots (cobots), is releasing a new software platform specifically for machine-tending tasks. The name is PolyScope X and, through a customisable user interface, UR says it will add new levels of flexibility to high-mix, low-volume machine tending automation.With PolyScope X, machine shop operators can achieve changeover times of less than 10 minutes – far below what is possible today with any other software, reports the company.This capability will empower users to run more batches in a day and in a more strategic and flexible way.

PolyScope X arrives at a time when manufacturers all over the world are looking for increased flexibility to handle shifting and increasingly diverse orders. At the same time, the new software platform introduces a powerful reworked programming experience and toolset. This enables integrators and OEM partners to structure their program code in a way that makes each operation simpler to understand, maintain and troubleshoot.

“PolyScope X is a landmark development in machine-tending automation,” says Anders Billesø Beck, Universal Robot’s vice president for strategy andinnovation.“The simplicity of the user interface and the much faster changeover times will provide manufacturers with a whole new set of possibilities regarding how they automate their machine tending tasks.It will allow them to break some of the barriers that are holding them back today.”

PolyScope X for machine tending is initially available in Germany, the UK and Denmark.
For further information www.universal-robots.com