igus introduces a cutting-edge energy supply system tailored for SCARA robots in cleanroom environments. The innovative Clean SCARA Cable Solution is crafted from tribologically optimized high-performance plastics. It operates nearly particle-free, meeting ISO Class 2 standards even in high-speed operations. This solution boasts enhanced strength and user-friendliness compared to conventional corrugated hoses.
igus GmbH specializes in the development and manufacture of motion plastics, innovative polymers that enhance technology and reduce expenses in moving applications without requiring lubrication. As a global leader in energy supply solutions, the company offers a wide range of products, including highly flexible cables, plain and linear bearings, and lead screw technology, all made from tribo-polymers.
Headquartered in Cologne, Germany, igus operates in 31 countries worldwide and has a workforce of 4,600 employees. In 2022, the company achieved a turnover of €1.15 billion. igus is renowned for its extensive research conducted in the industry’s largest test laboratories, resulting in continuous innovations and enhanced safety for users. With 234,000 products available in stock, customers can easily calculate the service life of these products online.
Furthermore, igus has expanded its operations through the establishment of internal startups focusing on areas such as ball bearings, robot drives, 3D printing, and the RBTX platform for Lean Robotics, as well as the development of intelligent “smart plastics” for Industry 4.0 applications. The company is committed to environmental sustainability, exemplified by its “chainge” program for recycling used e-chains and its investment in a venture that converts plastic waste into oil.
In the blockbuster film Deep Impact, a colossal comet strikes Earth, causing widespread devastation. In the world of electronics production, disasters of a smaller scale occur, involving minuscule particles that can wreak havoc on electronic components, semiconductors, and displays. To mitigate this risk, machines and systems must minimize friction and prevent contamination of the surrounding air.
This task is particularly challenging with SCARA robots, which resemble human arms and move rapidly along four axes with cycle times of less than a second. High-speed movements can cause particles to detach from corrugated hoses and tubes, posing a threat to cleanroom environments. Matthias Meyer, Head of the triflex and Robotics Business Unit at igus, explains, “Guiding cables and hoses on a SCARA robot in a cleanroom setting is a complex task.
Fast movements put strain on the material, leading to the unwanted release of abrasion particles.” To address this challenge, igus has introduced a cleanroom-compatible variant of the SCARA Cable Solution energy supply system, developed in 2020. Meyer describes the new Clean SCARA Cable Solution as “a reliable, compact, and easy-to-use energy supply system for high-speed applications, designed for quick retrofitting in cleanroom environments.”
The key component of the innovative cleanroom energy supply system is the e-skin soft, a modular energy chain that guides cables and hoses in a hanging loop from the robot’s vertical arm to the end effector. It consists of separable upper and lower shells that can be joined to create a sealed, dust-proof, and water-resistant tube. This design prevents particles from the cables and hoses from contaminating the air, even during extreme movements.
To enhance cable durability and reduce stress, a rotating mount is included for connections at both ends of the energy supply system. This feature sets the energy supply system apart. Furthermore, the rotary bearings are engineered to be nearly particle-free, even during dynamic movements. The e-chain itself is highly resistant to abrasion, thanks to its tribologically optimized high-performance plastic.
Its abrasion resistance is validated by an ISO certification from experts at the Fraunhofer Institute. The Clean SCARA Cable Solution is rated ISO Class 2, indicating that it is highly resistant to abrasion, with a maximum of 100 particles up to 0.1 microns in size per cubic meter of air during operation. This level of resistance is comparable to a sheet of paper, which is 80 microns thick, making the particles 800 times thinner.
igus introduces a novel energy supply system as an alternative to traditional corrugated hoses, offering two additional benefits alongside compatibility with cleanrooms. Firstly, the commonly used thin corrugated hoses for SCARA robots lack inherent rigidity, making them prone to kinking and tearing due to a lack of torsion support. In contrast, the Clean SCARA Cable Solution features self-supporting properties and a unique rotary bearing, making it ideal for short unsupported lengths and highly dynamic applications.
Its oval chain geometry provides extra strength against lateral forces. Secondly, unlike corrugated hoses, the Clean SCARA Cable Solution employs a zipper principle, allowing for easy opening to quickly insert cables and hoses. An optional interior separation provides further protection, a feature unavailable with corrugated hoses. Customers can opt for a ready-to-connect complete system with chainflex cables, with over 900 highly flexible cables of IPA Class 1 available.