May 2024 Volume 6

EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY

Figure 3: Rail-bound Heavy-Load Robot

Figure 2: Mobile Transport Manipulator with extendable tongs

Overhead Manipulators The mobile transport manipulator can freely maneuver in the whole production hall but is not (yet) able to work fully automatically. The rail-bound heavy-load robot can be used in automatic mode but is restricted to its rail track. The overhead manipulator covers the gap between them. It is crane based and can reach each position within its cartesian coordinate system (x/y/z). The floor stays clear and is not occupied by energy supply and floor-mounted rails (Figure 4). The lifting mast with the attached tongs, which is fixed on the bottom side of the crane-trolley, is comparatively slim and compared to the other solution, requires less maneuvering space at ground level.

Heavy-Load Robots, Stationary and Rail-bound DANGO & DIENENTHAL provides a wide range of heavy-load robots with payloads between 500 kg and 15,000 kg, which are designed specifically to meet the handling requirements of the metal forming industry. These machines are not comparable with standard industrial robots, even though the sole consideration of the payload might suggest such a comparison. Due to their enormous reach of up to 10.5 m from the rotation axis to the center of the gripper and the high load capacity in the entire work envelope, the DANGO & DIENENTHAL heavy load robots allow for an application range beyond those of standard industrial robots. The high load moment is achieved through a special lever system and powerful drives. A complex control system and integrated encoders ensure a high level of positioning accuracy. These machines pay off when automatic handling of large batches is required. The handling sequence is always consistent and fast. Nevertheless, these manipulators can also be switched to manual control mode if small batches or single pieces have to be handled and the programming would be too time-consuming although the teach-in programming system allows for setting up an automatic sequence very convenient. The heavy-load robots with capacities bigger than 1,500 kg are driven electro-hydraulically, because in this range the hydraulic cylinders and motors provide the best combination of force and speed. Below this capacity, the machines have an electro-mechanical drive system, which brings some remarkable advantages: No inflammable oil, less maintenance and higher efficiency. A stationary heavy-load robot can cover a large cylindrical working envelope, which allows for reaching several surrounding units located within this area. If the production line extends across a long area and the aggregates are located along a line, it is not an exceptional case to use a rail-bound heavy-load robot and thereby increase the working envelope dramatically (Figure 3). And still with both opportunities: Automatic and manual control.

Figure 4: Overhead Transport Manipulator

FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 21