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New choices embody extra low-cost automation and the igusGO AI-driven app. 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 instructional, service, and industrial functions.

“We’re providing a cell manipulator for small firms,” mentioned Alexander Mühlens, head of automation know-how and robotics at igus. He touted the corporate’s low-cost automation method.

“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 mentioned that’s 10x extra inexpensive than different fashions, and it’s beginning to supply the methods within the German market. 

The firm, whose U.S. headquarters are in Rumford, R.I., gained a 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for a finger gripper to go together with the ReBeL cobot. igus shall 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.

Study from Agility Robotics, Amazon, Disney, Teradyne and lots of extra.

On-line 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, mentioned 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 possibly can 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 might help robotics builders and integrators, he mentioned. The Configurator within the RBTX on-line market exhibits the middle of gravity for each half in a delta robotic cell, permitting the system to simply decide and place them.

“It mechanically is aware of the middle of gravity, and you may simply purchase the webcam for beneath €100 [$106.67],” mentioned Mühlens. “We’ll be selecting RBTX goodies at Hannover Messe.”

“Everyone seems to be in search of options for screwing and gluing within the furnishings business, as an illustration,” he mentioned. “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 can provide a 3D advice.

“With the Configurator, a buyer can take a couple of steps and get a dwell value,” Mühlens defined. “For instance, you might select ReBeL and a gripper for a cell, get measurements inside the program, obtain information, and take a look at all of the elements and costs. It’s also possible to select an set up and buildup service or do it your self.”

igus mentioned 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 elements get four-year assure

Machine failures as a consequence of inadequate lubrication value $750 billion yearly, and greater than 24 million tons of lubricant seep into water and soil yearly, in response to igus. The corporate mentioned its self-lubricating, high-performance polymers, in addition to using synthetic intelligence and digital actuality in design, can scale back such pricey waste.

This yr, igus is extending its four-year product assure to all of its Drytech merchandise. It additionally affords free substitute of bearings, drives, 3D-printed elements, 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, mentioned Stefan Niermann, vp and head of the drylin division, and Rainer Rössel, vp and head of the chainflex division at igus.

A collaboration with RWTH Aachen College discovered that igus applied sciences may end in financial savings of as much as €14 million yearly and substantial CO2 reductions. It cited Heineken Brazil’s financial savings of 180 kg of CO2 equivalents per yr by switching to polymer bearings.

“The efficiency of movement plastics is commonly underestimated,” added Lars Butenschön, enterprise unit supervisor for iglidur bearings at igus. He cited their utility in building and agriculture. The corporate can also 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, mentioned Michael Offner, vp and head of business administration on the family-owned firm.

“An unlimited vary of functions may use them,” famous Tobias Vogel, igus’ CEO of bearings and linear know-how. With the igusGO app, machine builders can use voice controls and AI chat to configure excavators with such elements, he mentioned.

As electrification garners extra curiosity worldwide, significantly in e-mobility, battery manufacturing, and shore energy, movement plastics might be an enabling know-how, asserted Martin Tiling, head of igus’ shore energy enterprise unit.

igus studies €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 aim of 1 million industrial clients per yr, said Michael Blass, managing director of e-chain methods.

“We’re subsequently happy that we have now a minimum of come a little bit nearer to this aim in a tough yr,” he mentioned. “Now we have invested €433 million [$464.6 million] on this plan during the last three years, €210 million [$224.8 million] of which on the Cologne web site.”

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 response to Blass. It is usually planning building in China, Taiwan, India, Italy, Spain, Poland, Mexico, and Turkey.

To exhibit its movement plastics at human relatively than industrial scale, the corporate has developed the igus:bike from recycled supplies. The bicycle, which gained’t rust and might be recycled itself, is now going into serial manufacturing beneath the new model identify RCYL. It is going to go available on the market in Germany for €1,200 ($1,284) this yr.