A compact, integrated motion control subsystem that looks ideal for fast, accurate parts handling, yet is half the cost of SCARA robots, is new from Festo.
Festo says the new EHMB module provides machine builders with flexible programmable rotary and linear movement for parts handling and positioning.
Importantly, it also features a decoupled design, enabling the rotary and lifting movements to be controlled independently.
The subsystem is capable of performing similar types of loading and unloading movements as many industrial SCARA robots, with comparable performance, but at less than half the cost.
It's also flexible: users can select a motor and electrical actuator for the two axes, or a motor and pneumatic cylinder. Festo's modular EHMB design can also be configured with a range of the company's positioning cylinders, motors and controllers.
At the high end, where a more demanding application requires freely programmable linear positioning, Festo servo motors and controllers can cover for both axes – the linear axis being driven by a DNCE electric cylinder.
Such an all-electric approach facilitates implementation of complex rotary/linear movement, with the advantage that machine productivity improvement, and even retooling, can be accomplished entirely under software control.
