Paul Boughton
Elau, the packaging automation specialist of Schneider Electric, is launching the next generation of its Delta 3 robot: the P4 features a completely new design and is also available in a wash-down version.
The P4 Delta 3 robot is designed for high-speed pick-and-place applications with payloads of up to 1.5kg (inclusive of tooling). An optional rotary axis is available to increase freedom of movement. The drive housing, arms and end effector mounting plate are all constructed of stainless steel.
Drive selection determines the IP rating and scope of integration: the P4s model with standard drives and cabinet-mounted servo amplifiers is IP65 rated for washdown duty. The P4i replaces conventional servo drives with integrated servo modules that save valuable cabinet space and simplify cabling for applications where washdown is not required. The P4i integrates servo drives directly on the motors. A single quick-connect hybrid cable supplies power and communications from a shared power supply in the electrical cabinet.
The work envelope of the P4 is 1200mm wide x 225mm high. On the robot's parallel plate (the end effector mounting plate) the P4 provides guide holes for multiple tubes or wires that remain protected within the plate, rather than a rotary union accommodating just one tube. Today's sophisticated grippers require multiple pneumatic tubes with sufficient length to support rotation. On competitive designs, these tubes must be routed around the outside of the parallel plate, where they can interfere with processes or collide with products. The robot's mounting fixtures are at the very top, eliminating the risk of the robot arms colliding with the frame, even at extreme deflections.
With vision support, the P4 can also be utilised for pick-and-place applications with random and/or mixed product infeed. Elau robots are compatible with virtually all standard vision systems. A pre-programmed interface can further reduce engineering effort for setting application-specific parameters with the most popular vision platform on the market today.
All versions of the P4 robot will soon be available commercially. A number of units are being used for test and evaluation and these units can be made available upon agreement for customers' preliminary evaluations. A new brochure presenting Elau's entire updated and extended robotics product line will also be published soon.
For more information, visit www.elau.de
The P4 Delta 3 robot is designed for high-speed pick-and-place applications with payloads of up to 1.5kg (inclusive of tooling). An optional rotary axis is available to increase freedom of movement. The drive housing, arms and end effector mounting plate are all constructed of stainless steel.
Drive selection determines the IP rating and scope of integration: the P4s model with standard drives and cabinet-mounted servo amplifiers is IP65 rated for washdown duty. The P4i replaces conventional servo drives with integrated servo modules that save valuable cabinet space and simplify cabling for applications where washdown is not required. The P4i integrates servo drives directly on the motors. A single quick-connect hybrid cable supplies power and communications from a shared power supply in the electrical cabinet.
The work envelope of the P4 is 1200mm wide x 225mm high. On the robot's parallel plate (the end effector mounting plate) the P4 provides guide holes for multiple tubes or wires that remain protected within the plate, rather than a rotary union accommodating just one tube. Today's sophisticated grippers require multiple pneumatic tubes with sufficient length to support rotation. On competitive designs, these tubes must be routed around the outside of the parallel plate, where they can interfere with processes or collide with products. The robot's mounting fixtures are at the very top, eliminating the risk of the robot arms colliding with the frame, even at extreme deflections.
With vision support, the P4 can also be utilised for pick-and-place applications with random and/or mixed product infeed. Elau robots are compatible with virtually all standard vision systems. A pre-programmed interface can further reduce engineering effort for setting application-specific parameters with the most popular vision platform on the market today.
All versions of the P4 robot will soon be available commercially. A number of units are being used for test and evaluation and these units can be made available upon agreement for customers' preliminary evaluations. A new brochure presenting Elau's entire updated and extended robotics product line will also be published soon.
For more information, visit www.elau.de
