Putting Robotic Parts Through Their Paces

Testing: The wide range of robotics today increasingly poses an obstacle to standard testing cycles. But detailed tests can be carried out at the test facility in Weinheim.

Robots With Greater Precision and Smaller Installation Spaces

In addition, technological advances are increasing the demands on robots: Rotational speeds continue to increase, cycle times are in decline, machines are becoming more precise – even as installation spaces for gearboxes are becoming smaller and smaller. “Even the lubricants continue to advance,” Frölich said. “But that can bring unexpected physical-chemical reactions, and the lubricants act on the seals more aggressively.” And this in turn can be devastating for a robot’s operating life. Long lifespans have become the rule in robotics.

This makes it all the more important for the interaction of the gearbox, lubricant and seal to be thoroughly tested – at challenging temperatures and rotational speeds. Though it was first largely established to meet the company’s own needs, more and more customers have come to appreciate the test facility in Weinheim. “There was increasing demand from outside the company, and we noted how the services made sense for many manufacturers,” Frölich said. “To help our customers even more when problems with a radial shaft seal’s tribological system arise, the Oil Seals Industry Division established the ‘Simmerring® Engineering’ service department.”

To be sure, there are universities and labs that make test facilities available. “But we naturally have an advantage: We offer expertise on sealing systems that other institutions cannot provide in depth,” Sattler said. “We don’t just send the usual tables with figures. We derive recommendations for action from them.” The bottom line is that manufacturers want recommendations that are as constructive as possible, regarding the potential impact of lubrication adjustments on the overall system, for example. “This often relates to the optimization of new products,” Frölich said. “Robots were once work machines. Today even minimal films of moisture are no longer tolerated.”