Powerball arm: Maneuverable, powerful and precise

The Powerball concept from SCHUNK, takes another giant step forward: This fifth generation lightweight arm presents an especially compact and flexible aid for stationary and mobile applications in service robotics and industrial handling. The module features a weight/payload ratio of 2:1 and is one of the most powerful lightweight arms in the world.

The Powerball concept from SCHUNK, takes another giant step forward: This fifth generation lightweight arm presents an especially compact and flexible aid for stationary and mobile applications in service robotics and industrial handling. The module features a weight/payload ratio of 2:1 and is one of the most powerful lightweight arms in the world. At a dead weight of 12 kg, it can dynamically handle loads of up to 6 kg, and has a gripping radius of more than 700 mm. Due to the compact design of the wrist joint, the arm can be easily maneuvered in tight spaces. Its excellent repeat accuracy of 0.06 mm provides for high process stability for demanding measuring and testing tasks. Also, the intelligent design prevents dangerous crushing and shearing movements, making it safe to use around people as well.


Central elements of the lightweight arm are three compact ERB Powerball modules, which combine the movements of two axes. The entire electronic control and regulation circuitry is integrated in the joint drives. Position, speed, and torque can be flexibly regulated. An innovative quick-change system with integrated signal feed-through allows for fast and easy commissioning of the Plug & Performance gripping system. Since the supply lines for gripper and tools are completely within the module, there are no interfering cables on the peripheral devices. Due to the integrated intelligence, universal communication interfaces, and cable technology for data transfer and power supply, the arm can be quickly and easily integrated in existing control concepts. The manipulator is supplemented by an industrial robot controller with an integrated CoDeSys PLC. Teaching and instruction is made easy by means of a hand-held control panel with a touch-screen display.

24 V DC supply voltage enables mobile use as well as use at changing locations. Consistent lightweight construction and the state-of-the-art torque motors keep the energy demands of the lightweight arm down to an average of 80 W. That lowers energy costs, provides for longer work periods when using rechargeable batteries, and also allows the use of small-format batteries. With a price well below any other lightweight arm, and has the potential to pave the way for broad-scale applications.

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3D Vision: Ensenso B now also available as a mono version!

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This compact 3D camera series combines a very short working distance, a large field of view and a high depth of field - perfect for bin picking applications. With its ability to capture multiple objects over a large area, it can help robots empty containers more efficiently. Now available from IDS Imaging Development Systems. In the color version of the Ensenso B, the stereo system is equipped with two RGB image sensors. This saves additional sensors and reduces installation space and hardware costs. Now, you can also choose your model to be equipped with two 5 MP mono sensors, achieving impressively high spatial precision. With enhanced sharpness and accuracy, you can tackle applications where absolute precision is essential. The great strength of the Ensenso B lies in the very precise detection of objects at close range. It offers a wide field of view and an impressively high depth of field. This means that the area in which an object is in focus is unusually large. At a distance of 30 centimetres between the camera and the object, the Z-accuracy is approx. 0.1 millimetres. The maximum working distance is 2 meters. This 3D camera series complies with protection class IP65/67 and is ideal for use in industrial environments.