Robotics on the move

Manufacturers in industries such as the automotive, food, medical, pharmaceutical, plastic and electronics sectors rely on robots for many operations including loading and unloading, palletising, handling, sorting or stacking a wide array of components. The Stober enhanced Stäubli systems will give them greater value and flexibility.

The first Stäubli and Stober joint project was for linear technology manufacturer Rollon. This involved expanding the six axes Stäubli robots with a seventh, plus an optional eighth, Stober axis. An SD6 single-axis controller from Stober manages the motion control on the two additional axes. Connection to a higher-level controller is by EtherCAT or CANopen.

Stober’s Martin Preece explains: “This application involves a robot which moves dynamically on a linear guide. Stober’s seventh and eighth axis enables both translational as well as rotational movements, which makes the robot easy to configure and even more versatile. As a result, the new application gives the Rollon robots a significantly larger operating range, managing a greater number of tasks at various locations along the line.”

In a second development project for a market-leading German bicycle manufacturer, Stäubli has demonstrated how efficiently a six-axis robot from their TX2-60 series can be equipped with additional external axes from Stober.  During the manufacturing process, the bicycle frame is presented on a rotary table where work is carried out. Driven by a Stober PH-EZ geared motor, the seventh axis moves the table into position so that the robot can guide the tool to the frame. As soon as contact between the tool and frame is made, the motor moves the table. The tool then traces the irregular rotational movement of the frame without losing contact.

The axes are jointly regulated by the new CS9 controller from Stäubli and the Stober SD6 single-axis controller. Again, connection is over EtherCAT.

At the heart of the Stäubli and Stober collaboration is the desire to offer bespoke solutions that are designed to meet the unique requirements of each individual customer. Stober has supported Stäubli through a crucial period of development, particularly in the interaction of the Stäubli CS9 controller with Stober’s SD6 drive controller.

The result of their cooperation now allows the two companies to provide reliable, ground-breaking drive solutions for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and drive system integrators worldwide.