IEEE Spectrum breed · Technologie

Tsubaki KabelSchlepp Robotrax System for Industrial Robots

The Tsubaki KabelSchlepp Robotrax System is a specialized three-dimensional cable carrier designed to manage the complex movements of industrial robots, protecting electrical cables, fiber optics, and pneumatic hoses from severe mechanical stress.

Modern automated manufacturing relies on six-axis robots performing high-speed, multidirectional maneuvers. The associated electrical and fluid lines endure significant stress from twisting, rapid acceleration, and contact, leading to premature failure and production halts. The Robotrax system addresses these challenges with a central steel cable that absorbs primary tensile loads, preserving conductor integrity and extending service life. Mechanics can adjust system tension using an integrated clamping piece.

The carrier features open, single-piece plastic links with spherical snap-on connections, allowing for smooth, three-axis flex and radial rotation. Links can contain up to three chambers to separate power lines, data channels, and fluid hoses, preventing interference and abrasion. Standard models allow toolless cable insertion, reducing installation time, while larger configurations offer customizable partitioning with dividers and swiveling crossbars.

To prevent cable carriers from striking robot bodies during high-speed motion, the Pull Back Unit (PBU) is integrated. This active retraction mechanism maintains optimal tension, minimizing collision risks. The PBU requires no maintenance and is compatible with major industrial robot platforms. Additionally, modular external protectors can be retrofitted to chain links for impact protection, abrasion resistance, and to limit the bending radius, allowing for replacement of individual protectors instead of the entire carrier.

The Robotrax system can be adapted for demanding industrial environments with accessories like heat shields for protection against radiated heat and sparks, protective covers for shielding against fluids and dust, and LineFix strain relief clamps to prevent axial displacement. By combining central load absorption, multi-axis flexibility, and active retraction, the system aims to maximize robot uptime and reduce operational costs.

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