Schaeffler boosts robot performance

• Schaeffler offers innovative bearing supports, robot gearboxes and drive motors for lightweight robots
• XZU angular contact needle roller bearings, DuraWave RTWH strain wave gears, UPRS drive motors and MDKUVE range extenders expand the areas of application and allow higher load-bearing capacity
• The combination of components creates the perfect system for the joints of lightweight robots and cobots

With a portfolio of innovative bearing supports, robot gearboxes and drive motors, automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler is presenting itself at the Hannover Messe 2021 as a partner for the fast-growing robot industry. Thanks to high-performance components and system assemblies by Schaeffler, lightweight robots and cobots can be used in areas of application that require higher speeds, precision and cleanliness levels, as well as increased load-bearing capacity.

Ralf Moseberg, Head of Industrial Automation at Schaeffler, points out: “Our components and systems not only improve the performance of lightweight robots and cobots but also open up further areas of application for them. The combination of our DuraWave RTWH strain wave gear, XZU angular contact needle roller bearing and UPRS motor creates the perfect system for joints, which meets customer requirements for a system assembly with maximum compactness, dynamics and performance.”

High-performance components and system assemblies
All components are also available separately. Schaeffler designed the XZU double row angular contact needle roller bearing especially for the joints of lightweight robots and cobots. The angular contact needle roller bearing has the same cross section as the commonly used cross-roller bearing and can replace it one to one. XZU bearings can also be used as the main bearing support for robot gearboxes. As a unique selling point over cross-roller bearings, the design of the XZU ensures there is no chance of any lubricant leakage. It is therefore particularly suitable for use in areas with the highest requirements for hygiene and cleanliness, such as in food processing, medical technology and semiconductor production.

The new DuraWave precision strain wave gear by Schaeffler features exceptionally high precision, torque density and service life. The optimized tooth geometry of the flexspline enables even load distribution over the gearing and improved tooth meshing. The flexspline is manufactured using high-precision forming technology. This offers advantages with respect to grain flow and surface quality and leads to material solidification. A special alloy steel and the combined heat treatment and surface treatment ensure exceptionally high fatigue strength, wear resistance and durability.

The new UPRS-series motors are matched to the specific robot gearbox size and are available separately or as a geared motor unit. The UPRS motors are designed as axial flux motors. The end face coils in PCB (printed circuit board) design allow for a very high torque density. By using innovative materials, both the weight and installation space of the active components can be reduced to achieve improved overall dynamics.

With the seventh axis of the robot, it is possible to expand existing working ranges and therefore fully automate new production areas. For this, Schaeffler offers MDKUVE-series plug-and-play-ready linear axes with a servo gear motor, cable track solution, a floor or ceiling installation kit and an adapter plate for the robot. The range extender software can easily be fully integrated into the customer’s robot control system.