WITTMANN Group has advantageously launched numerous new robotics products in 2016. Among them, the W837 IML system boasting its flexibility, the W863 pro robot capable of handling payloads of up to 75 kg, several compact servo-rotational axes, and the new robot control system, R9, unveiled and highlighted at K 2016 in Düsseldorf.
Today, the PRIMUS 16 hops on the bandwagon. Harbinger of a brand new series, the robot is developed with less challenging pick & place tasks in mind — as a set-off to the typically complex automation solutions WITTMANN robotics is reputable for.
The software architecture of R8 and R9 control systems allows for nearly unbounded extension. Nevertheless, being driven by the need the customers show for demolding without complex automation, coupled with the size reduction trend, WITTMANN experts ended up with the first ever robot designed with these requirements in mind, PRIMUS 16.
Martin Stammhammer, International Sales Manager for Robots and Automation Systems of the WITTMANN Group, thus commented on the robot début: “Our customers have to face changed requirements every year. For us, this means stimulation as well as a challenge. As the European market leader for linear robots, we have great advantage in getting specific and comprehensive feedback from our customers — something that has helped us immeasurably in defining the PRIMUS 16.”
The robot can handle payloads of up to 5 kg and has a WITTMANN absolute encoder regulator, making it well suited for this kind of jobs. WITTMANN uses this regulator type in every small robot. The position feedback is thus available in real time, with no need for prior referencing, which makes the robot functioning simpler and faster.
W818 high-volume robot model guided the physical layout and axe geometry of the new PRIMUS. The latter is nevertheless aimed at individual part removals. It follows a modular design, resulting in highly increased cost-efficiency of serial production of PRIMUS 16. Thus, the end user not only benefits from lower cost; no thorough testing of the robot at commissioning is needed.
Stroke capability of either 1,500 or 2,000 mm is available for the horizontal robot axis; 800, 1,000 or 1,200 mm are offered for the vertical axis, and 420 or 620 mm for the demolding one.
The new PRIMUS 16 is programmed via the TeachBox function of the R8 control system, just as any WITTMANN servo robot. The critical feature within it, QuickNew, allows for easier, graphically supported programming. Standard control functions include SmartRemoval and EcoMode; data can be also entered using the already popular TextEditor.
Summing it all up, Stammhammer said, “We bring both complex and simple applications under one roof. Therefore, we expect excellent market opportunities for the new PRIMUS 16 in a large number of varied markets.”
