SCHUNK Defines New Benchmark in Assembly Automation

Highly dynamic and nevertheless protective
Taking the example of the SCHUNK ELP, it becomes clear how great the advantage over the pneumatic world is: even if users have to invest around double as much as for pneumatic axes, the wear-free module pays for itself in the medium and long term.

For 40 million cycles total output and a maintenance interval of 5 million cycles, for pneumatic axes the costs for wear parts, working time and production downtimes alone add up to a value that far exceeds the total costs of the ELP axes.

For an assembly system with 17 linear modules, in a life cycle of 40 million cycles, this results in a saving of around €12,000 not including the saving for the ongoing operating costs like compressed air.

The costs are amortized after just 20 million cycles. So at the latest from this time, the 24V modules start earning money.

Added to this come design benefits: often enough, throttles are opened far for pneumatic modules in practice, in order to save cycle time and to get the last reserves out of systems.

As a consequence, the wear on the shock absorbers increases rapidly, and so too do the costs. Bigger companies are meanwhile planning fixed maintenance intervals in which all shock absorbers are replaced and re-calibrated regardless of their individual condition.

This is a way of counteracting unplanned system downtimes.

Nevertheless there are still unpleasant side effects in some areas: again and again the massive vibrations in the periphery of pneumatic linear modules also cause other components for instance camera systems to suffer too. The collateral damage in some areas is partly substantial.

This is precisely where the SCHUNK ELP comes in: it allows dynamic movements and nevertheless runs harmoniously and in so doing protects the peripherals in the end positions.

Since the compact unit does not require hydraulic shock absorbers, commissioning and maintenance work is virtually eliminated. What’s more, there is no need to worry about potential damage to your system or long downtimes due to defective shock absorbers.

Furthermore, the system construction can be significantly streamlined because valve blocks, hose systems, maintenance units and pressure boosters are no longer required. Energy chains shrink to half their original scope because only two 24V circuits must be set up for the sensor systems/logics or for the actuators. The fact that the electrical axis is around 20 dB quieter than its pneumatic predecessor is a very pleasant side effect.

In order to simplify the setup of 24V systems, the ultra-compact linear modules are also available upon request with electrically activated holding brake. In the event of a power failure, the brake reliably maintains the position of the linear module and prevents any unintended fall-off of vertically arranged axes into the working area.

This is comparable with pneumatic module rod locks, which help prevent any damage to people, parts and system components. The holding brake allows the STO (Safe Torque Off) safety function to be executed.

The linear module can also be stopped at full speed. The durable brake is particularly suitable for systems that are switched on and off frequently. It can be retrofitted to existing systems at any time.

Great interest in swift program setup
Even if the selection of handling components with 24V technology is still quite limited, the potential the technology has to offer can be imagined.

Systems manufacturers and big users are meanwhile signaling great interest in a fast expansion of the 24V program and use the modules like the ELP linear axis or the EGP parallel gripper specifically to reduce vibrations, as actuators or as assembly systems in small systems and robot cells without compressed air supply. At the latest when the companies active in handling technology provide components on 24V basis in the most important sizes from feeding technology right up to robots and safety technology that can be implemented on the move, the topic will continue to rapidly gain in importance, according to the estimations of a renowned systems engineer.

Ideally, it should be possible to conveniently integrate all components from a central control system. In addition, autonomous functions can minimize the commissioning effort.

The best example here too is the SCHUNK ELP with its auto-learn function: as soon as the system has been wired, the mechanic can commission the handling system before the system is programmed.

Faced with the mostly challenging temporal specifications for some projects, this can also become an important aspect.