WITTMANN novelties in 2020 Automation

New rotary A-C servo axis version 2020

Automated processes, maximum flexibility and more efficiency are increasingly called for – a trend very early recognized by WITTMANN. The company has won renown especially in the area of extra servo axes for robots. The B servo axis most frequently in demand was already adapted a considerable time ago in such a way that it could be integrated into the vertical tubes of most robot models. Thus no additional space is required in the demolding area, and in the vertical direction it has been limited to a mere 50 mm. Now WITTMANN is presenting another revision of its additional robot axes: a new version of the rotary A-C servo axis.

The new combination axis for up to 30 kg handling load replaces the previous version. Viewed from the outside, hardly any changes are visible, since the dimensions of 250 × 248 × 179 mm have been kept virtually unaltered. The main 

difference compared to the predecessor version is found inside: WITTMANN uses a newly developed direct drive for the current version. By using this drive in combination with a re-design of the supporting structure, the company has succeeded in reducing the weight of the axis. By this reduction in weight, the total load on the robot system has been lightened as well, with a corresponding increase in the robot’s payload capacity. The direct comparison with the previous rotary servo axis model shows an increase of about 40% in payload capacity for the 2020 model, with the drive performance for the A rotation (0–270°) and the C rotation (0–180°) of course remaining unchanged.

Completely new fields of application have been opened up for existing WITTMANN W8 pro robots by the option of having them retrofitted with the new A-C-servo axis. Thanks to the decentralized drive control system from WITTMANN (where the drive controllers are installed close to the motors), users will be able to upgrade the robots without elaborate new wiring. The R8 robot control system is able to control up to 12 servo axes (linear and rotatory) with a cycle time of 4 ms without an additional software package.

WITTMANN’s aims for this development were to create a powerful module for new parts removal devices, and to offer an interesting upgrade for existing robot solutions as well. Just a small investment makes it now possible to increase the robots’ flexibility substantially for the rest of their utilization period. From the 4^th quarter of 2020 onwards, the new A-C servo axis version 2020 can now be ordered for use on the robot models WX142 to WX153, and on comparable appliances of the W8 pro series.

PRIMUS 48/48T robot

In 2018, WITTMANN presented for the first time a PRIMUS robot with a movable X axis. The PRIMUS 26/26T introduced then combined the advantages of two appliances and made it possible to install PRIMUS solutions on injection molding machines with up to 900 t clamping force. Now the series is being extended once more with the PRIMUS 48/48T as the latest model.

difference compared to the predecessor version is found inside: WITTMANN uses a newly developed direct drive for the current version. By using this drive in combination with a re-design of the supporting structure, the company has succeeded in reducing the weight of the axis. By this reduction in weight, the total load on the robot system has been lightened as well, with a corresponding increase in the robot’s payload capacity. The direct comparison with the previous rotary servo axis model shows an increase of about 40% in payload capacity for the 2020 model, with the drive performance for the A rotation (0–270°) and the C rotation (0–180°) of course remaining unchanged.

Completely new fields of application have been opened up for existing WITTMANN W8 pro robots by the option of having them retrofitted with the new A-C-servo axis. Thanks to the decentralized drive control system from WITTMANN (where the drive controllers are installed close to the motors), users will be able to upgrade the robots without elaborate new wiring. The R8 robot control system is able to control up to 12 servo axes (linear and rotatory) with a cycle time of 4 ms without an additional software package.

WITTMANN’s aims for this development were to create a powerful module for new parts removal devices, and to offer an interesting upgrade for existing robot solutions as well. Just a small investment makes it now possible to increase the robots’ flexibility substantially for the rest of their utilization period. From the 4^th quarter of 2020 onwards, the new A-C servo axis version 2020 can now be ordered for use on the robot models WX142 to WX153, and on comparable appliances of the W8 pro series.

PRIMUS 48/48T robot

In 2018, WITTMANN presented for the first time a PRIMUS robot with a movable X axis. The PRIMUS 26/26T introduced then combined the advantages of two appliances and made it possible to install PRIMUS solutions on injection molding machines with up to 900 t clamping force. Now the series is being extended once more with the PRIMUS 48/48T as the latest model.