Festo_BionicSoftArm

02: Flexible assistance system: as a helping third hand in assembly in combination with the BionicSoftHand BionicSoftArm Working in collaborative spaces One robot arm, many variation possibilities: the BionicSoftArm is a compact further development of the BionicMotionRobot, whose range of applications has now been significantly expanded. This is made possible by the modular design of the BionicSoftArm, which can be combined from several pneumatic bellows segments and rotary drives. This enables it to master both free and flexible move- ments as well as defined sequences. At the same time, it is com- pletely compliant and can work safely with people. Optimum cover of a wide range of working spaces Depending on the requirements, the length of the BionicSoftArm can be varied with up to seven pneumatic actuators, thus provid- ing maximum flexibility in working range and mobility. This makes it very easy to implement applications that are difficult to realise with a standard robot. This allows the BionicSoftArm to work around obstacles even in the tightest of spaces. Direct human–robot collaboration is just as possible as use in classic SCARA applications – for example, pick-and-place tasks. The concept of flexible kinematics of the BionicSoftArm and BionicMotionRobot is based on the Bionic Handling Assistant. The free-moving gripper arm was given the German Future Award in 2010 for the safe collaboration between human and machine. Since then, Festo has been looking intensively into systems that could relieve people of monotonous activities and at the same time pose no risk – an aspect that is becoming increasingly import- ant in everyday factory life. Paradigm shift in robotics The focus here is on pneumatic lightweight robots, which are virtu- ally predestined for collaborative working spaces and may in the future represent cost-effective alternatives to classic robot con- cepts. The strengths of pneumatic drives have always lain in their simple handling and robustness, the low costs of acquisition and their high power density. This enables them to apply comparatively high forces with a low dead weight. Holding processes get by with- out further compressed air consumption and are therefore ex- tremely energy efficient. Safe handling due to inherent flexibility of the system For direct contact between human and machine, pneumatic robots offer another decisive advantage: their inherent flexibility. If an actuator is filled with compressed air, the movement generated can be exactly set in terms of speed, force and rigidity. In the event of a collision, the system automatically eases off and thus poses no danger to humans. Collaborative working spaces of the future The strict separation between the manual work of the factory work- er and the automated actions of the robot is being increasingly set aside. Their work ranges are overlapping and merging into a collaborative working space. In this way, human and machine will be able to simultaneously work together on the same workpiece or component in the future – without having to be shielded from each other for safety reasons. These open working spaces will primarily require robots that can be flexibly adapted and independently adapt to different products and scenarios. Multiple application possibilities The modular robot arm can be used for a wide variety of applica- tions, depending on the design and mounted gripper. Thanks to its flexible kinematics, the BionicSoftArm can interact directly and safely with humans. At the same time, the kinematics make it easier for it to adapt to different tasks at various locations in pro- duction environments: the elimination of costly safety devices such as cages and light barriers shortens conversion times and thus enables flexible use – completely in accordance with adaptive and economical production. Intuitive operation on the tablet The BionicSoftArm is operated intuitively via the Robotic Suite. The graphical user interface was developed specifically for Festo’s bionic lightweight robots and was used for the first time in the BionicCobot. With a tablet, the user can quite easily teach the actions and set their parameters. At any time, the defined work steps can be arranged in a timeline in any order by dragging-and- dropping. In doing so, the complete motion sequence is virtually depicted and simulated at the same time. 01: Classic SCARA application: picking- and-placing of different objects and shapes with the DHEF adaptive shape gripper 03: Graphical user interface: for fast pro- gramming of processes and intuitive operation 01 02 03 2 Festo AG & Co. KG 3 BionicSoftArm: Modular pneumatic lightweight robot