The custom robot transfer unit with a robot riser designed by Motion Index Drives is engineered to accommodate a R2000 Fanuc Robot. It is utilized in the Consumer Goods industry in a paint spraying applicaiton. It features a specially designed cable management system to prevent any collision with surrounding structures, ensuring smooth operation within constrained spaces. High accuracy is achieved through the use of an Atlanta HT low backlash reducer, while the helical bevel gear system provides a self-lubricating mechanism for continuous operation. The unit’s oversized linear bearings are designed to manage the tilting moments encountered during the robot’s task of picking up and moving parts. These bearings are equipped with scrappers to maintain cleanliness and efficiency as they traverse the rail. The entire structure is fabricated as a single piece, measuring 5 meters long, allowing for a 3.6-meter travel range for the robot, enhancing the flexibility and reach in the manufacturing process.
Two Robot Transfer Units were designed and manufactured to work in tandem on either side of an automation line in the end user’s facility. The units must be pulled by other automation in one direction, with the ability to return to home using an AC gearmotor. The units need a clutch mechanism to allow the carriage plate to be pulled in one direction without having to backdrive the gearmotor. This reduces unnecessary strain on the motor and enhances the system’s efficiency and longevity. A high-precision rack and pinion system was sized in collaboration with Atlanta Rack and Pinion to handle the mass and required speeds of the system.
A linear transfer shuttle that combines features of both robot transfer unit and tool tray transfer that moves 2.5 tons over a 5-meter distance in approximately 10 seconds with a maximum height of 314mm to the floor. A tubular steel structure was designed with thick wall steel tubing to be rigid. The leveling feet were placed on the same plane as the bottom tube structure to achieve a lower profile, and a machined carriage plate was engineered to achieve this low height.
