Festo’s game changer: Seventh-axis system revolutionizes bin picking, boosting efficiency

The new seventh-axis cobot system by Festo

The latest bin-picking solution available from Festo Canada is a seventh-axis robot, which integrates cobots from various manufacturers. This new system – which works on an electromechanical linear actuator moving horizontally, vertically, or both – provides a wealth of productivity and cost benefits in both pick-and-place and loading/unloading tasks.

This seventh-axis system adds a linear rail to extend the reach of a six-axis robot, and moving it closer to the payload enables the use of smaller six-axis robots in any application.

Reduced risk of error

Manufacturing plants and distribution centres use robotic systems to reduce labour, boost throughput, and reduce the risk of error when moving products internally. Since these robots are sized by reach, this seventh-axis solution by Festo reduces acquisition expenses by using smaller robots – which also results in a more compact footprint.

The seventh-axis system accommodates both six-axis robots and cobots, and it integrates cobots from two manufacturers as a new dynamic solution of robotics in a simulation of efficient bin picking. As Festo’s products are robot-agnostic, system integrators can easily choose the robot or cobot most compatible with the end user. In addition to the seventh axis used for linear transfer, the Festo Motion Control Package, or FMCP, panel controls turntables, automatic storage systems, conveyors, and transfer tables. The FMCP solution offers additional space within the panel for future expansion and brackets for wall mounting, which further lowers footprint.

Festo’s EGC belt-driven linear axes are perfect for this seventh-axis system, and they are each available with an optional robot- or cobot-mounting plate. The EGC has an energy chain for cable management and servo motors that are optimized for performance. The manufacturer supplies standard EGC axes in lengths of up to 8½ metres, and customers can request sizes of up to 10 metres. Other linear actuators that are compatible with this system include the ELGC ball screw actuator.

Among other Festo options available for bin picking are the DHEF adaptive shape gripper, the DHAS adaptive finger gripper, and several vacuum gripping devices. Trust Festo for the market’s leading selection of robotic solutions and components.

For more information, contact Festo.

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