Festo: What the world's first pneumatic cobot can do
Nach der Ankündigung fand soeben die Vorstellung des neuen Cobots statt. Dr. Melzer (Foto links), Technologie-Vorstand bei Festo lobte den Cobot mehr als notwendig. Man merkte, er glaubt an ihn. „Klarer Innovationssprung in der Automatisierungstechnik, worauf wir alle stolz sind„, waren seine Worte. Der Cobot hat eine Traglast von 3 kg und eine Reichweite von 670 mm bie einer Wiederholgenauigkeit von 0,3 mm. Die Begrenzung auf 3 kg ist bemerkenswert, da diese Traglast bei anderen Herstellern (z.B. UR 3) die Untergrenze darstellt. Die Pneumatik soll die Produktivität erhöhen und, so die Pressemitteilung: „Die Direktantriebe in den Gelenken sind kostengünstiger und besonders leicht, weil im Gegensatz zu elektrischen Lösungen keine schweren Getriebe und teure Kraft-Moment-Sensorik nötig sind.“ Im Gegensatz zu meiner Spekulation reizt der Cobot die Möglichkeiten der Künstlichen Intelligenz nicht aus.
Robotics Director Christian Tarragona (photo, right) spoke of five guiding principles during development:
- Designed ease of use
- Created for easy movement
- Shaped for easy integration
- Development for economic success
- Inventend for easy collaboration
In terms of price, the Festo Cobot is to be positioned somewhat more favorably than the electric Cobot. The robot is operated with air. This gives new possibilities after a collision or even when assembling parts.
Simple programming
It is programmed by means of manual guidance, buttons on the arm and with the help of icons on the tablet. The corresponding demonstration of the simplicity of operation was reminiscent of Franka Emika's demonstration. However, it is necessary to be honest: Programming by means of manual guidance of the robot arm and button operation was a big deal back then and can hardly be simplified any further. In this respect, simplicity of programming is only a selling point compared to cobots, which are less comfortable. The picture shows the well-known icon programming:
But no matter, the Festo is also so innovative.
No control cabinet
Sehr innovativ ist hingegen der Verzicht auf den bislang benötigten Schaltschrank bzw. die Komprimierung aller Einheiten im etwas voluminöseren Festo-Cobot. Sein Standfuß wirkte sehr massiv. Der Verzicht auf den „Schaltschrank“ wie auch das Gewicht von weniger als 20 kg des Cobots machen ihn flexibel. Er kann einfacher transportiert werden. Steht der Arbeitsplatzwechsel allerdings häufiger an, wird ein Cobot i.d.R. auf einem Wagen bewegt. Dort wäre auch Platz für die Schalteinheit.
Gentle collisions
As with the programming, which is not super-innovative but still at the most modern level, the degree of innovation also applies to any collisions. These run smoothly, but are not automatically avoided.
Very valuable appearance
For me, a real highlight is the appearance of the Cobot. It doesn't look like a work tool, but almost as classy as a luxury car.
Late market launch
Although the Cobot will be presented at the Hannover Messe, it will not be introduced to the broad market until 2023. It will be distributed via Festo sales. This can become a problem because Festo has a huge product range. It is known from Omron that their Cobot distribution is dependent on the respective employee.
Conclusion
Unless other market players make a big splash or occupy markets until the Festo cobot is launched, the cobot will certainly be successful - in its segment. It will apparently be cheaper than an electric cobot, although Festo has a very good image, it is modern and also looks very good. This should make it extremely attractive and give it competition from Franka, for example. Larger models have already been announced. The focus is on the range and not the payload.
Are we networking? LinkedIn
-> To the Cobot group on LinkedIn (Link) .
In my own right/advertisement
The author of this blog is significantly involved in the AI/robotics project Opdra. He advises robotics companies and investors on market analysis and funding/subsidies. More about him can be found here.
