triflex® R for industrial robots

Extend the service life of the energy supply on industrial robots

From the user's point of view, an energy supply system for multaxial industrial robots has to fulfill many requirements. The possibility to program extremely multifaceted motion sequences - partly offline - during the designing frequently leads to extreme stressing of the used electric cables and hoses. Sometimes there is the risk of a premature failure, often with very high consequential costs from production downtimes. The aforementioned features, together with modular design and intelligent accessories, have been merged into the development of the triflex® R energy supply system since 2003.

This trailer principle combines the ability to absorb high tensile strengths with the option to detach and reattach the triflex® R energy supply system at any required point. And naturally without end-to-end (steel) cables or other supporting elements! The external stop dogs in the TRC and TRE models transform the buckling forces arising in the inner radius into tensile forces. Pull-back mechanisms such as balancers or springs accommodated externally around the hose are often used to work out 3D energy supply functions, particularly in industrial robots. Loop formations are minimised or the cables are routed around interfering edges with these pull-back mechanisms.

To utilise the wide range of options of the triflex® R design, a comprehensively adapted product range of accessories is available for use on industrial robots in addition to the standard triflex® R e-chain system® and the preassembled fibre rod modules. The fastening and mounting of the fiber rod module in the ideal position possible on the robotic arm can be carried out with a universal assembly kit. In case of modifications or extensions of the robot program, the attachment can be realigned many times later and thus permanently adapted to the new conditions.
 
Difficult robotic movements with FlexBarExtreme industrial robot movements with various motion sequences are implemented with the FlexBar system. Combined with the universal assembly kit for FlexBar, almost any motion sequence can be realised. The loop formation on the robot head is avoided even in extreme motions by the very high retraction force of FlexBar's high-tech composite material. A realignment, for instance, necessitated by a program change can be undertaken any time at minor costs.

Universal with special accessories

The easy-to-open mounting brackets with captive fastening mechanism can be supplied optionally as intermediate or end connection, with or without integrated strain relief teeth, as well as with locking or rotatable fastener. The triflex® R range is topped by a series of special accessories. When using very thick hoses, e.g. welding power cables, media hoses, etc., we recommend using an external strain relief with standard strain relief clamps (CFX) The strain relief is provided with a clip adjustable at two levels for fastening on the standard extension arm (30 mm) of many robot manufacturers. Thus the attachment on the moving end can be set at the ideal angle. When using the triflex® R e-chain system® in extremely hot environments, for example in foundries and die-casting foundries, etc., the entire system or parts of it can be protected with heat-resistant hoses against spatter up to a maximum of 600°C.

Handling of fiber rod modules

The used fiber glass rods are specially treated and provided with aluminum swivels at the tip. Thus the fiber rods are mounted at the moving end between two links to prevent a "creeping out" within the chain. At the fixed side, five chain links are reinforced with threaded rods, so that the relative movement between the fiber rods and chain can be compensated only within the guide bores. The fiber rod modules are sold in different lengths as completely preassembled modules. The fixed end is marked by five white points, the last chain link at the moving end by one white point. To compensate the occurring leverages, two mounting brackets should be provided for the assembly at the fixed end. These should be mounted at an interval of at least eight chain links. The mounting brackets are not part of the fiber rod module and should be ordered separately.

An additional short piece of triflex® R without a fiber rod, fixed at the movable point, can enable frequent rotary movements larger than +/-180° on axis 6, without any contact between the chain and the robot. For a movement at axis 5 greater than 90°, or an addition from axis 4 and axis 6 greater than +/- 180° or in case of small installation spaces, it is recommended to install the universal assembly kit facing the rear direction. Now the fiber rod module can be mounted on the robotic arm at a larger angle and the pullback effect is fully utilized, similar to that of an angling rod. For robot designs without knowledge of later movements, twice the length of the fibre-rod module must be allowed for the chain's free end. The mounting brackets are included in the universal assembly kit.

Alternatives

The triflex® R e-chain system® with the fiber rod module can of course be mounted on specific fastening points. In this case, the chain is adjusted to the movement through trial-and-error, shortening, and at times even lengthening. Another alternative is to mount the triflex® R system next to or behind the robot with a vertical free-standing fibre-rod module. Due to the resulting extremely high amplitude, the energy supply follows the robotic movements in a very large working range.

The chain can be directly fastened on the tool on the moving end side. Thus a cable guidance is possible without direct connection to the robot, a situation which enables work with various tools without plug connection systems for electricity, media, or bus systems. Here, the supply via axes 1-3 with external cable routing systems often becomes unnecessary.