Building low-cost robotic systems with robolink, part 4: cabling

As manufacturers continue to utilise robotics to increase productivity and safely automate all kinds of repetitive tasks, from automotive assembly to pharmaceutical pick-and-place, robolink from igus offers engineers a low-cost, easy-to-assemble modular alternative to costly bespoke robotic systems for rapid development of lean automation systems.

Engineers can select from and combine a wide variety of modular robolink kit elements, including articulated joints and arms, gears, drives, motors and tools, such as grippers or cameras, to meet their application requirements and construct complete powerful and low-cost robotic automation systems. With many components made from self-lubricating tribopolymer engineering plastics, the design is lightweight, corrosion-resistant and virtually maintenance-free.

Power, control and data are provided by cabling that is safely and reliably routed either through the arm or alongside it in flexible energy chains. The robot's movement is controlled via motors and direct drive wave or worm gears, or by rope/wire drives. Fully assembled robotic arm units can be programmed and controlled via configuration-based open source software, available free-of-charge from igus.

Watch the fourth video in the series at www.igus.co.uk/robolinkp4cabling to see how straightforward it is to safely and reliably handle the cabling requirements for your complete robotic arm, with minimal requirements for tools.