This can be a sponsored article delivered to you by Freudenberg Sealing Technologies.
The rising deployment of collaborative robots (cobots) in outside environments presents important engineering challenges, requiring extremely superior sealing options to make sure reliability and sturdiness. Not like industrial robots that function in managed indoor environments, outside cobots are uncovered to excessive climate circumstances 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 masses. Equally, agricultural robots function in harsh circumstances 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 supply 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 may speed up materials fatigue over time.
Complete Technical Necessities for Robotic Sealing Options
The event of sealing options for outside robotics calls for an intricate stability 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 number of acceptable sealing supplies and geometries essential. Conventional elastomeric O-rings, broadly utilized in industrial functions, usually fail underneath such excessive circumstances. 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 vital concern, particularly in robotic joints that function at excessive speeds. Extreme friction not solely generates warmth however may 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 typical sealing supplies to turn out to be brittle and crack, additional compromising their efficiency.
Superior IPSR Expertise: Tailor-made for Cobots
To handle these demanding circumstances, Freudenberg Sealing Applied sciences has developed a specialised sealing resolution: Ingress Protection Seals for Robots (IPSR). Not like typical seals that depend on metallic springs for mechanical assist, the IPSR design options an revolutionary 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 masses extra effectively, considerably lowering friction and put on over time. Whereas conventional spring-supported seals are inclined to degrade as a consequence of mechanical fatigue, the IPSR configuration eliminates this limitation, making certain long-lasting efficiency. Moreover, the optimized contact strain reduces frictional forces in robotic joints, thereby minimizing warmth era and increasing element lifespans. This leads to decrease upkeep necessities, a vital think about functions the place downtime can result in important operational disruptions.
Optimized By 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 habits underneath real-world operational circumstances.
FEA simulations targeted on key efficiency components corresponding to frictional forces, contact strain distribution, deformation underneath load, and long-term fatigue resistance. By iteratively refining the design primarily based on simulation information, Freudenberg engineers have been capable of develop a sealing resolution that balances minimal friction with most sturdiness.
Moreover, these simulations supplied insights into how IPSR seals would carry out underneath excessive circumstances, together with publicity to humidity, speedy temperature modifications, and extended mechanical stress. This predictive strategy 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 capable of 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 power, and thermal stability.
Fluoroprene XP, particularly, gives 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 a really perfect alternative for outside functions the place steady publicity to daylight might in any other case result in materials degradation. EPDM, however, gives excellent flexibility at low temperatures and wonderful getting old resistance, making it appropriate for functions that require long-term sturdiness underneath fluctuating environmental circumstances.
To additional improve efficiency, Freudenberg applies specialised solid-film lubricant coatings to IPSR seals. These coatings considerably cut back friction and remove stick-slip results, making certain easy robotic movement and exact motion management. This friction administration not solely improves power effectivity but additionally enhances the general responsiveness of robotic methods, a necessary think about high-precision automation.
Intensive Validation By Actual-World Testing
Whereas superior simulations present vital insights into seal habits, empirical testing stays important for validating real-world efficiency. Freudenberg subjected IPSR seals to rigorous sturdiness exams, together with extended publicity to moisture, mud, temperature biking, chemical immersion, and mechanical vibration.
All through these exams, IPSR seals constantly achieved IP65 certification, demonstrating their skill to successfully forestall 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 displaying considerably prolonged operational lifetimes in comparison with conventional sealing applied sciences.
Security By 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 cut 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 functions, making certain optimum efficiency in numerous environments.
Automated Guided Automobiles (AGVs) function in industrial settings the place they’re uncovered to abrasive contaminants, mechanical vibrations, and chemical publicity. Freudenberg employs strengthened PTFE composites to reinforce sturdiness and shield inside elements.
Delta robots can carry out advanced actions at excessive pace. This requires seals that meet the excessive dynamic and acceleration necessities.Freudenberg Sealing Applied sciences
Delta robots, generally utilized in meals processing, prescribed drugs, and precision electronics, require FDA-compliant supplies that stand up to rigorous cleansing procedures corresponding to Cleansing-In-Place (CIP) and Sterilization-In-Place (SIP). Freudenberg makes use of superior fluoropolymers that preserve structural integrity underneath aggressive sanitation processes.
Seals for Scara robots will need to have excessive chemical resistance, compressive power 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 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.
