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Kassow Robots has launched a brand new line of compact collaborative robotic arms (cobots) designed to combine with cellular robots. The brand new Edge Version cobots are smaller, absolutely built-in manipulators designed for cellular manipulation purposes.
The brand new cobots function a direct DC connection from battery energy, enabling them to function whereas mounted to a cellular robotic. They provide distant energy on/off management, permitting for management from the cellular robotic controllers or a PLC. The cobots can run in computerized mode with no train pendant, streamlining operations. The cobots have a typical footprint of 160x200mm (6.2″x7.9″) making certain compatibility with varied purposes.
Kassow Robots’ cobots are geared up with sensors that detect overload, making certain secure operation in shared workspaces. This eliminates the necessity for particular security measures, increasing the vary of purposes to incorporate repetitive, harmful, and soiled duties. Nevertheless, an intensive threat evaluation have to be carried out earlier than deploying the cobots in any surroundings.
The cobots are additionally modular, leveraging Kassow Robots’ present companion ecosystem that allows integration of assorted peripherals, grippers, imaginative and prescient methods, or operate extensions.
Bosch Rexroth acquired a majority stake in Kassow Robots in March 2022 for an undisclosed quantity. Kassow Robots exited stealth mode at Automatica 2018. It was co-founded in 2014 by Kristian Kassow, former co-founder of Common Robots, which is the main developer of cobots. Based in 2005 by Kassow, Esben Østergaard and Kasper Støy, Common Robots was acquired 10 years later by Teradyne for $285 million.
Kristian Kassow supplies extra insights in regards to the Edge Version cobots within the Q&A beneath.
Why did you develop the Edge Version?
Kristian Kassow: Our objective has all the time been to make it as straightforward as attainable for our prospects to combine cobots into their manufacturing, with an specific concentrate on SMEs. Our Edge Version presents a number of benefits right here: it’s designed for industrial use, presents a excessive stage of maneuverability because of its 7 axes, and delivers distinctive compactness. It additionally has a small footprint of simply 160 x 200 millimeters. That’s as a result of we have now miniaturized the controller to only 10 p.c of the unique dimension and built-in it into the robotic base. One other profit value mentioning is that the Edge Version will be simply linked to any DC energy provide, such because the battery of a cellular robotic.
Kassow Robots’ new Edge Version collaborative robotic arm lineup. | Credit score: Kassow Robots
What buyer teams are you concentrating on with the Edge Version?
Kassow: Numerous them, all industries with intralogistics duties at their manufacturing websites can profit from our Edge Version. The Edge Version presents the extra advantage of being a multifunctional cobot, permitting customers to change between duties seamlessly. This consists of the power to make use of it for the manufacturing of Product A, adopted by a top quality examine, after which for palletizing.
The Edge Version comes into play and reveals off its benefits when a cobot turns into an environment friendly assistant to cellular robots. We imagine that cellular purposes would be the major use for the Edge Version. This implies utilizing cobots together with an AMR or AGV.
Are you able to inform us extra about utilizing a cobot as a cellular manipulator?
Kassow: A method wherein the cobot will be made cellular is by transferring the light-weight cobot set up to a brand new location and programming it for a brand new utility. The programming of a cobot is far simpler than within the case of a standard industrial robotic. One other approach to benefit from mobility is to make use of it for a similar duties that come up at varied places through the manufacturing course of. Let me offer you an instance. A mixture of an AGV/ AMR and a cobot can take over the duty to deal with the loading of packing containers that might be used for packaging.
Why does the Edge Version contribute to a straightforward integration of AGV/AMR-cobot options?
Kassow: The Edge Version saves area as a result of the robotic arm and controller kind a compact unit that may be put in shortly. As well as, as talked about earlier, the direct present (DC) connection on all Edge Version cobots satisfies all the necessities for connecting a cobot on to the battery of an AGV or AMR. On the finish of the day, we need to make it simpler for our prospects to combine cobots into cellular options. A take a look at at this time’s AGVs and AMRs shortly reveals simply how little area they provide. Robotic controllers are principally cumbersome, making it more durable to automate duties. Our Edge Version cobots function a slim base. We assist system integrators and finish prospects simplify the implementation of those AGV/AMR & cobot options.
The controller has been built-in into the bottom of the 7-axis cobots. | Credit score: Kassow Robotics