Akribis Systems expands direct drive technologies to robotic applications

Its ARJ series enables robot manufacturers to shorten their R&D cycles in the competitive collaborative robot market.

Motion control company Akribis Systems has been a leading role model in direct-drive motion technologies. Its last two wins were centred around direct-drive applications in pick and place. Now, it aims to expand its direct drive technologies to robotic applications, in which the joints are robots themselves.

Amongst its latest submission is the Akribis Robot Joint (ARJ) series, a collaborative robot which contains five standard sizes of robot joint modules.

Collaborative robots are robot arms used in workspaces with human interactions. Compared to traditional industrial robots, which are fast, heavy, and generally require a fenced-up environment to keep them separated from human operators. The robots are lightweight and force-sensing capable, which makes them safe to operate around human operators and fast to deploy.

The global collaborative robot market has been growing rapidly over the past few years due to the shortage of manpower and demand for fast production line deployment. The components of a typical robot arm can be broken down into links and joints, where joints are the core components providing high torque rotary actuations with high precision.

The ARJ series is modular and easy to use. This means that the joints come in standard sizes and mounting interfaces. Motor drives with the EtherCAT communication protocol are integrated at the backside of the joints, allowing for easy cabling and high-speed communication.

It also has high torque and lightweight features, powered by Akribis’ own direct-drive frameless motors with up to a 101:1 reduction ratio. The torque density has been maximised for the efficiency for robot arms.

The robotic arms also have high precision, as strain wave reducers are used to provide zero-backlash motions. Both the motor side and output load sides are equipped with absolute encoders up to 19-bit to provide high-resolution feedback.

Moreover, the ARJ series is designed with large centre bores, allowing for inter-joint cables to run internally. The joints are also integrated with power-off friction brakes, which hold the joint positions in the event of a power failure.

Akribis Systems takes home the Made in Singapore Awards - Robotics win for the quality features of the ARJ series, as its five sizes enable robot manufacturers to rapidly build collaborative robots covering the commonly used 3kg to 16kg payload class.

With the comprehensive product line-up and user customisable configurations, the ARJ series enable robot manufacturers to shorten their R&D cycles in the competitive collaborative robot market by saving time building their own robot joints from scratch, whilst focusing their R&D resources on higher-level robotic technologies.

The prestigious awards programme recognises exceptional products that are proudly manufactured and designed in Singapore.

The Made and Designed in Singapore Awards is presented by Singapore Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2023 awards programme and be acclaimed for your exceptional products that are proudly manufactured and designed in Singapore, please contact Jane Patiag at jane@charltonmediamail.com.