Whether free and flexible movements or defined sequences, thanks to its modular design, the pneumatic lightweight robot can be used for numerous applications. In combination with various adaptive grippers, it can pick up and handle a wide variety of objects and shapes. At the same time, it is completely pliable and poses no danger to the user even in the event of a collision.
The BionicSoftArm meets two essential requirements for the collaborative workspaces of tomorrow. The strict separation between the manual work of the factory worker and the automated actions of the robot is being used less and less. This means that humans and machines will be able to work together simultaneously on the same workpiece or component in future.
Firstly, this depends on automated robot solutions being able to interact directly and safely with humans, without the need for them to be shielded from each other for safety reasons. Secondly, these open workspaces will, above all, need robots that can be flexibly adapted and that adjust independently to different products and scenarios.
The BionicSoftArm owes its flexibility to its modular design, which can be combined from several pneumatic bellows segments and rotary drives. Depending on the requirements, the length of the BionicSoftArm can be varied with up to seven pneumatic actuators, thus providing maximum flexibility in terms of range and mobility. This makes it very easy to implement applications that are difficult to realise with a standard robot.
The BionicSoftArm can work around obstacles even in the tightest of spaces. It can be used in direct human–robot collaboration as well as in classic SCARA applications – for example, pick & place tasks. The elimination of complex safety devices such as cages and light barriers shortens conversion times and thus enables flexible use at different locations – which is ideal for adaptive and economical production.