Robots the solution to carbon neutral energy

ROBOTIC researchers from Germany believe they hold the key to future global electricity generation. The team from the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA) approached Desertec, a consortium whose big idea is the building of gigantic solar-thermal plants in the desert, last year. Desertec has calculated that if just 1% of the Sahara was devoted to solar energy production, enough electricity would be generated for the entire world at current annual levels of consumption.

The IPA has been building on kinematic and motor and drive research first begun in the 1980s over the last three years. Dr. Andreas Pott, leader of the IPA team, explained: "The idea of combining the power of a crane with the speed and accuracy of a robot is something other people have tried to do, but computer processing power was simply not advanced enough for cable robots to succeed until now. Our IPAnema robot actually consists almost entirely of cables and winches. The winches are fixed to movable square metal scaffolding. Held between the cables, which are controlled by the winches with the aid of a computer, is the tool, known as the end effector. In the past, it was hard to predict what the result would be when the actuators were moved, but now we are able to give commands to the winches in a completely synchronised way, thanks to computer modelling. We've taken pure science and put it to work on industrial grade devices."

The demonstrator robot Dr. Pott and his team built last year is five metres high and has footprint of nine metres by seven metres. In reality, even this massive structure would be much too small for the Desertec Project. It is estimated that this robot would have to be the size of a football pitch. However, unlike cranes that, owing to their swinging loads, must move slowly, IPAnema can accelerate quickly in full control of its load thanks to its automatically controlled winches. The actuator drum contained within the winch produces force that is transmitted through the cable over long distances. These high forces can be used for both heavy loads and for speed simply by changing the gear box between operations.

Although IPAnema currently only exists in demonstrator form, having been very much a part-time project for Dr. Pott, assisted by just two PhD students; from the outset IPAnema has been aimed squarely at the needs of industry. Since the IPAnema project began in 2007, the team has been guided by a mantra of industrial applicability. As a result, only industrial components have been used, so the robot's inherent ruggedness could be tested. The robot's interfaces have been designed to connect with standard production equipment. When work began on the IPAnema's controller architecture and NC control in 2008, the team deliberately set the robot kinematic challenges by attempting to integrate it with other IPA research projects. This focus on prosaic details such as bearings, motor and drive technology and software paid dividends when the team was able to quickly manufacture eight winches and assemble IPAnema just over a year ago. The first pick and place task was successfully accomplished in summer '09.

"When designing a robot capable of disparate tasks, such as lifting the seven tonne collectors, consisting of dozens of parabolic mirrors, or laying cabling, flexibility is the key issue", said Dr. Pott. "We have experimentally proved that we can reconfigure our robot by decreasing the payload by an half or a third and transfer that capacity into an increase in speed by the same factor. This breakthrough doesn't just have application in solar energy installation, we believe our technology could have just as transformational an effect on shipbuilding, aerospace, wind turbines, the erection of electric transmission lines, or indeed, any large scale construction project previously reliant on cranes."

Dr. Pott believes that the IPAnema's money saving potential when compared with cranes will soon be proved. Crucial to it is the load control IPAnema has compared with a crane where speed is sacrificed to control sway. Large scale cranes require teams of skilled people who significantly add costs to the movement of large objects, making plans like that envisioned by Desertec uneconomic.

Although the Desertec project still leaves many political questions unanswered, the technical obstacles the mega project would create appear to have been potentially addressed by IPAnema. Desertec's initial phase should see hundred million mirrors covering an area of 36,000 square kilometers (14,000 square miles). Using traditional techniques, an army of workers would need to labour for decades to build such a massive infrastructure. As a construction project it would dwarf any other previously attempted, requiring terrifying upfront capital costs with a long, as yet uncalculated payback period. IPAnema's deployment would slash those costs, pleasing both accountants and investors alike.

It might not just be the world's energy problems this robot could solve; whole industries could transform their processes with IPAnema. We have all grown used to massive warehouses clustered at the junctions of motorways; the future might see truly enormous, lights out warehouses on a previously unimaginable scale. Ports like Rotterdam might also look very different once cranes have been confined to only small scale projects. The automatic, repeatable, accurate nature of robots has long been predicted to change the face of industry, but until now, computer processing power has proved a limiting factor to real-time, safe movement. Now, it seems, that barrier is being dismantled as sophisticated robotic controllers are married to a new generation of smart, scalable robots with simple mechanical parts.

For further information, view website: www.ipa.fraunhofer.de  or e-mail: Hubert.grosser@ipa.fraunhofer.de

A newly -designed line of single-post and
two-post extrusion pump rams and complete
ram / pump packages for 'five gallon' containers

The ARO Fluid Technologies business of Ingersoll Rand has released a newly -designed line of single-post and two-post extrusion pump rams and complete ram / pump packages for 'five gallon' containers. Featuring superior down-force in a compact footprint, the new ARO ram / pump packages are especially suited to high-viscosity material applications including inks, caulks, mastics, lubricants and more.

In the single-Post Ram version it handles High Viscosity Applications - from 20,000 to 250,000 centepoise materials. It accepts 3-inch,  4.25-inch, and 6-inch air motors and uses pneumatics to raise and lower pump packages up to 17.5 inches for easy container change outs. Equipped with a powerful 3.25-inch ram cylinder, it provides industry-leading down force and features refined footprint, improving adaptability to variety of environments.

The two-post ram package handles ultra-high viscosity applications - from 20,000 to 1,000,000 centepoise materials; powerful enough to handle all types of heavy inks, epoxies, caulks, mastics, adhesives and sealants. It accepts 3-inch up to 10-inch air motors and uses pneumatics to raise and lower pump packages up to 17.5 inches for easy container change outs. Equipped with 3.25-inch ram cylinders it delivers more power for demanding applications or when available air pre sure is min mal. Welded construction  - combined with the two-post design provides increased strength and rigidity over the single-post ram.

Both ram pump packages feature a broad range of delivery pressures that include 22:1 ratio medium pressure /high flows up to our new 65:1 high-pressure, low flow pumps for broad application latitude.They come complete with pump, ram, air filter/regulator, hoses and all the components needed to get your application up and running with minimal set up.

For further information, contact Karina Visciola, e-mail: karina_visciola@eu.irco.com   Refer to page 93

New slit type plastic couplings from
Sterling Instrument feature low cost solutions

A new series of slit type plastic couplings from Sterling Instrument (ISO 9001:2000+AS9100B Registered Manufacturer) features low cost, UV resistance, voltage and RF isolation. These couplings, identified as the S50TLC... Inch and Metric Series are stocked in sizes 13, 19 and 25. This lightweight molded patented coupling can replace stainless/aluminum slit type couplings with low cost and improved operation. There is no windup or backlash or any derating for reversing applications. To insure a tight fit between the shaft and the coupling, a metal screw-to-metal nut design is used and does not utilize threads cut into the molded piece.

Refer to the picture: A new series of slit type plastic couplings from Sterling Instrument, are stocked in sizes 13, 19 and 25.  

These couplings are made of engineered polymer and have stainless steel fasteners. Their bore sizes range from .125" to .500" (from 3 mm to 12 mm). They range in length from .710" to 1.400" (18 mm to 36 mm). Their maximum temperature range is -4°F to +284°F (-20°C to +140°C).

They can be used in various applications and are especially able to accommodate tight or skewed connections. Quotes, online orders, available stock, and 3D CAD Model downloads are available at our new eStore at: www.sdp-si.com/eStore SDP/SI offers over 1000 different types of couplings including inch and metric: magnetic, flexible, rigid, oldham, bellows, flexible shaft, spider type, Fairloc® shaft type, helical, slit-type, and neoprene flexible type couplings. 
 
Detailed specifications are contained in Catalog D795, available free upon request from Sterling Instrument, 2101 Jericho Turnpike, P.O. Box 5416, New Hyde Park, NY, USA 11042-5416. Tel: 516-328-3300, Fax: 516-326-8827. Website: http://sdp-si.com/web/html/newprdcouplings10.htm   Refer to page  81