Lightweight design triples Schunk robot payload capacity

A new modular LightWeight Arm (LWA 3) using a combination of light and rigid materials has enabled Schunk to triple the nominal payload capacity of the LWA 3 to 8 kg. This 3rd generation LWA lightweight arm, in conjunction with PowerCubes, enables robots to be designed with up to 32 joints. Depending on the specific version, these can be six to eight times lighter than conventional robots and can offer an arm/load- ratio of 2:1. Another advantage of the LWA 3 is that it provides seven degrees of freedom as opposed to only six. Two-finger PG parallel gripper, the FTC force-torque sensor, the SGH servo-gripper hand and the Schunk hands SDH (Schunk Dextrous Hand) and SAH (Schunk Anthropomorphic Hand) can all be used with the robot. All joint functions are defined as macros in the relevant PowerCubes so that the LWA 3 can be operated from a higher control level – eliminating the need of an external robot controller. The LWA 3 also has hollow shaft drives for the protected routing of power. It has CanBus and sensor cables inside the arm, switch outputs for electronic distance measuring, push-fit standard mounts on the LWA wrist joint for different gripper systems and the optional battery power supply for mobile use. The modules of the LWA 3 are available in four graduated sizes with the largest module consisting a 120 mm mounting flange and 230 Nm torque to the versions with 100 mm/74 Nm and 80 mm/26 Nm through to the most compact unit with a 60 mm flange and 4.6 Nm torque. For additional flexibility, the modules can also be combined with each other depending on the application.