Multi-axis energy supply to palletising robots increases the service life of the cable

• What was needed: triflex® R-energy chain with triflex® RS universal module
• Requirements:  The energy supply should permanently protect all cables during continuous operation of the palletising robot and also be able to withstand torsional movements.
• Industry: Robotics
• Success for the customer: The triflex® energy chain and retraction module guarantee the safety and durability of the cables. Expensive system downtimes are a thing of the past.

Transnova-RUF offers solutions for end-of-line packaging and palletising tasks, from planning and design through to commissioning. The range includes individual compact machines for top and side loading or picker systems for fast pick & place applications. In addition, robot systems are developed for picking, palletising and depalletising tasks for packaging systems, with the specialist integrating more than 200 robots per year into machine environments.
Important for robot palletising technology: when handling cartons, buckets, sacks, plastic cushions, etc., everything has to be highly flexible and reliable. This was also the case for a new project in which a packaging system with a length of approx. 60 metres for packaging film rolls was equipped with nine robot systems for handling. As each roll of film is produced to order and differs in length, thickness, weight and sometimes also in material, the robots and a long-arm robot for palletising the finished cardboard packaging have to be particularly flexible. The respective packaging weight of the packs is between 2 kg and 60 kg, the conveyor speed is approx. 40 m/min. It is possible to pack 20 rolls per minute. The high performance of the system and the continuous operation seven days a week led to considerations about the correct routing of the palletising robot. This is because a corrugated hose cannot keep up with the strong rotational movements in axis 3 to 6 in particular. The high risk of torsion harbours risks such as tearing of the hose and therefore also damage to the cable. As a result, the entire system would come to a standstill and lead to high downtime costs.

The multi-axis triflex® R energy supply system (TRE 60.B) is now used on the palletising robot in the film packaging system. The compact triflex® RS universal module, which is also installed, ensures that the energy chain is always guided close to the robot arm. It pulls the triflex® towards it when the robot arm retracts, preventing loops from forming. Limit stops ensure defined freedom of movement and therefore additional protection. There are also integrated spring rods to guide the energy chain safely.
Installation has also been considered. The triflex®-energy chain is designed for quick insertion of the various cables. An improved connection principle enables even greater stability and thus further increases machine and system availability.
Most important to the customer, however, was the gentle movement of the energy chain, which is permanently torsion-resistant and prevents premature wear of the cable. A twist of approx. +/- 10° per chain link in the longitudinal axis is possible. And a defined radius prevents the cable from kinking or being damaged.
In addition, the energy chain can be easily shortened or extended thanks to its modular design. The connection of the triflex® R system works via the housing pad connection, similar to a trailer coupling. The new functional principle of the triflex® R "version" increases the bending radius load capacity by a factor of four. It also compensates for even greater torsional forces.