This can be a sponsored article dropped at you by Freudenberg Sealing Technologies.
The growing deployment of collaborative robots (cobots) in out of doors environments presents important engineering challenges, requiring extremely superior sealing options to make sure reliability and sturdiness. In contrast to industrial robots that function in managed indoor environments, out of doors cobots are uncovered to excessive climate situations that may compromise their mechanical integrity. Upkeep robots utilized in servicing wind generators, for instance, should endure intense temperature fluctuations, excessive humidity, extended UV radiation publicity, and highly effective wind hundreds. Equally, agricultural robots function in harsh situations the place they’re repeatedly uncovered to abrasive mud, chemically aggressive fertilizers and pesticides, and mechanical stresses from tough terrains.
To make sure these robotic methods preserve long-term performance, sealing options should provide efficient safety in opposition to environmental ingress, mechanical put on, corrosion, and chemical degradation. Outside robots should carry out flawlessly in temperature ranges spanning from scorching warmth to freezing chilly whereas withstanding fixed publicity to moisture, lubricants, solvents, and different contaminants. As well as, sealing methods should be resilient to steady vibrations and mechanical shocks, that are inherent to robotic movement and might speed up materials fatigue over time.
Complete Technical Necessities for Robotic Sealing Options
The event of sealing options for out of doors robotics calls for an intricate steadiness of sturdiness, flexibility, and resistance to put on. Robotic joints, notably these in high-mobility methods, expertise multidirectional actions inside confined set up areas, making the collection of acceptable sealing supplies and geometries essential. Conventional elastomeric O-rings, extensively utilized in industrial purposes, usually fail below such excessive situations. Publicity to excessive temperatures may cause thermal degradation, whereas steady mechanical stress accelerates fatigue, resulting in early seal failure. Chemical incompatibility with lubricants, fuels, and cleansing brokers additional contributes to materials degradation, shortening operational lifespans.
Friction-related put on is one other important concern, particularly in robotic joints that function at excessive speeds. Extreme friction not solely generates warmth however can even have an effect on motion precision. In collaborative robotics, the place robots work alongside people, such inefficiencies pose security dangers by delaying response instances and lowering movement accuracy. Moreover, extended publicity to UV radiation may cause standard sealing supplies to grow to be brittle and crack, additional compromising their efficiency.
Superior IPSR Expertise: Tailor-made for Cobots
To handle these demanding situations, Freudenberg Sealing Applied sciences has developed a specialised sealing resolution: Ingress Protection Seals for Robots (IPSR). In contrast to standard seals that depend on metallic springs for mechanical assist, the IPSR design options an modern Z-shaped geometry that dynamically adapts to the axial and radial actions typical in robotic joints.
Quite a few seals are required in cobots and these are uncovered to excessive speeds and forces.Freudenberg Sealing Applied sciences
This distinctive structural design distributes mechanical hundreds extra effectively, considerably lowering friction and put on over time. Whereas conventional spring-supported seals are inclined to degrade on account of mechanical fatigue, the IPSR configuration eliminates this limitation, making certain long-lasting efficiency. Moreover, the optimized contact stress reduces frictional forces in robotic joints, thereby minimizing warmth technology and increasing element lifespans. This ends in decrease upkeep necessities, a vital think about purposes the place downtime can result in important operational disruptions.
Optimized By means of Superior Simulation Methods
The event of IPSR know-how relied extensively on Finite Component Evaluation (FEA) simulations to optimize seal geometries, materials choice, and floor textures earlier than bodily prototyping. These superior computational strategies allowed engineers to foretell and improve seal conduct below real-world operational situations.
FEA simulations targeted on key efficiency elements akin to frictional forces, contact stress distribution, deformation below load, and long-term fatigue resistance. By iteratively refining the design primarily based on simulation knowledge, Freudenberg engineers have been in a position to develop a sealing resolution that balances minimal friction with most sturdiness.
Moreover, these simulations supplied insights into how IPSR seals would carry out below excessive situations, together with publicity to humidity, fast temperature adjustments, and extended mechanical stress. This predictive method enabled early detection of potential failure factors, permitting for focused enhancements earlier than mass manufacturing. By lowering the necessity for intensive bodily testing, Freudenberg was in a position to speed up the event cycle whereas making certain high-performance reliability.
Materials Improvements: Superior Resistance and Longevity
The effectiveness of a sealing resolution is basically decided by its materials composition. Freudenberg makes use of superior elastomeric compounds, together with Fluoroprene XP and EPDM, each chosen for his or her distinctive chemical resistance, mechanical energy, and thermal stability.
Fluoroprene XP, specifically, affords superior resistance to aggressive chemical compounds, together with solvents, lubricants, fuels, and industrial cleansing brokers. Moreover, its resilience in opposition to ozone and UV radiation makes it an excellent selection for out of doors purposes the place steady publicity to daylight may in any other case result in materials degradation. EPDM, alternatively, gives excellent flexibility at low temperatures and glorious getting old resistance, making it appropriate for purposes that require long-term sturdiness below fluctuating environmental situations.
To additional improve efficiency, Freudenberg applies specialised solid-film lubricant coatings to IPSR seals. These coatings considerably scale back friction and remove stick-slip results, making certain easy robotic movement and exact motion management. This friction administration not solely improves vitality effectivity but additionally enhances the general responsiveness of robotic methods, a necessary think about high-precision automation.
Intensive Validation By means of Actual-World Testing
Whereas superior simulations present important insights into seal conduct, empirical testing stays important for validating real-world efficiency. Freudenberg subjected IPSR seals to rigorous sturdiness checks, together with extended publicity to moisture, mud, temperature biking, chemical immersion, and mechanical vibration.
All through these checks, IPSR seals constantly achieved IP65 certification, demonstrating their skill to successfully stop environmental contaminants from compromising robotic elements. Actual-world deployment in upkeep robotics for wind generators and agricultural automation additional confirmed their reliability, with intensive put on evaluation exhibiting considerably prolonged operational lifetimes in comparison with conventional sealing applied sciences.
Security By means of Superior Friction Administration
In collaborative robotics, sealing efficiency performs a direct function in operational security. Extreme friction in robotic joints can delay emergency-stop responses and scale back movement precision, posing potential hazards in human-robot interplay. By incorporating low-friction coatings and optimized sealing geometries, Freudenberg ensures that robotic methods reply quickly and precisely, enhancing office security and effectivity.
Tailor-made Sealing Options for Numerous Robotic Techniques
Freudenberg Sealing Applied sciences gives personalized sealing options throughout a variety of robotic purposes, making certain optimum efficiency in numerous environments.
Automated Guided Autos (AGVs) function in industrial settings the place they’re uncovered to abrasive contaminants, mechanical vibrations, and chemical publicity. Freudenberg employs strengthened PTFE composites to boost sturdiness and shield inner elements.
Delta robots can carry out complicated actions at excessive velocity. This requires seals that meet the excessive dynamic and acceleration necessities.Freudenberg Sealing Applied sciences
Delta robots, generally utilized in meals processing, prescription drugs, and precision electronics, require FDA-compliant supplies that face up to rigorous cleansing procedures akin to Cleansing-In-Place (CIP) and Sterilization-In-Place (SIP). Freudenberg makes use of superior fluoropolymers that preserve structural integrity below aggressive sanitation processes.
Seals for Scara robots should have excessive chemical resistance, compressive energy and thermal resistance to operate reliably in quite a lot of industrial environments.Freudenberg Sealing Applied sciences
SCARA robots profit from Freudenberg’s Modular Plastic Sealing Idea (MPSC), which integrates sealing, bearing assist, and vibration damping inside a compact, light-weight design. This innovation optimizes robotic weight distribution and extends element service life.
Six-axis robots utilized in automotive, aerospace, and electronics manufacturing require sealing options able to withstanding high-speed operations, mechanical stress, and chemical publicity. Freudenberg’s Premium Sine Seal (PSS), that includes strengthened PTFE liners and specialised elastomer compounds, ensures most sturdiness and minimal friction losses.
Steady Innovation for Future Robotic Purposes
Freudenberg Sealing Applied sciences stays on the forefront of innovation, repeatedly creating new supplies, sealing designs, and validation strategies to handle evolving challenges in robotics. By means of strategic buyer collaborations, cutting-edge materials science, and state-of-the-art simulation applied sciences, Freudenberg ensures that its sealing options present unparalleled reliability, effectivity, and security throughout all robotic platforms.
