Flexible Holding System for Collaborative Robots

Collaborative robot technology continues to grow. Compared to industrial robots, collaborative robots have hardly any mounting options for attachments. What to do then if routing to the tool is needed?

The Flexible Holder System FHS from Murrplastik Systems is the solution!

It can be used on many robots and can be used with or without additional components. With the FHS, cables or protective hoses for dynamic energy supply can be directly and safely attached to robots.
This modular holder system is unique on the market. It provides a secure hold, is variable and fits on straight or conical surfaces, on corner edges and on different surfaces, profiles and diameters.

Maximum flexibility: Two basic bodies – three applications
The multi-tasking talent FHS consists of two different basic bodies, which allow three different types of attachment, and a hook and loop strip in different lengths. This guarantees a flexible, safe and easy-to-install energy supply.

FHS-SH: The FHS with system holder for guiding and stabilizing small power supplies and for low to medium traversing speeds, as well as for sliding or fixed mounting on the cable protection conduit. Particularly recommended is FHS-SH for the energy supply for the original equipment or for a subsequent installation.

FHS-UHE: The FHS with one-piece universal holder enables safe, and also subsequent cable protection assembly or disassembly. With the one-piece, captive clip, the replacement of protective tubes is done with a click and in seconds. The FHS-UHE is particularly suitable for avoiding axial displacements of the protective hose within dynamic and light applications.

FHS-C: cables and protective tubes are fastened directly, safely and in line to the robot arm. Since Murrplastik has different velcro tape lengths for different types of robots, the system continuously adapts to different diameter robotic arms as well as cables, cables and protective tubes.
Click here for FHS product details

Laser Marking Systems Are Ideal for High-Volume Projects

Manufacturers in many industries recognize the importance of identification and traceability for their components. Thanks to abrasion-proof laser technology, adding labels to plastic and metal plates in medium- to high-volume projects doesn’t have to be complex and expensive.

Laser marking systems such as Murrplastik’s mp-LM Series make inscriptions for the company’s polycarbonate and polypropylene ID plates as well as anodized aluminum and stainless steel media. Using mirrors, the devices direct a laser beam onto material. The laser’s heat causes carbon emission which darkens the material to create a visual contrast and a long-lasting mark.

Why use laser marking for your inscription needs?

  • Contactless Marking. Since laser marking systems use direct energy from a laser to create the mark, they are non-abrasive. Ink cannot rub off or fade with time, and the resulting surface remains smooth.
  • Economical. Laser marking doesn’t require consumables, so users save on ink and chemical system maintenance and supplies. Combined with low initial costs, laser marking systems offer excellent value.
  • Flexibility and adaptability. Laser labelling systems accommodate a wide range of applications including cables, leads, terminals, control panels and signalling equipment, switchgear and media devices. They are able to label a variety of base materials, and systems can be controlled via software when connected to a PC with a USB port or Ethernet.

High-Quality Laser Labelling Systems Offer Exceptional Value
The mp-LM Series enables high-quality, project-specific inscription of most Murrplastik plastic labels with all the benefits of contactless laser marking, especially flexibility, adaptability and cost savings. Users can insert different label types simultaneously: Polycarbonate and polypropylene materials stack directly inside the input shaft, and a carrier plate loads aluminum and stainless steel labels into a magazine for processing. If the job requires more than one label type, a separator plate makes sure that the correct number is generated for maximum adaptability and flexibility. And, users can control and operate the system using Murrplastik’s proven ACS software. The family is classified by three different solid-state laser outputs: 1.5W (mp-LM1), 3W (mp-LM3) and 10W (mp-LM10), and an extraction and filter unit (mp-LM-F) is also available.

Contactless laser marking presents many benefits to manufacturers looking to inscribe labels for their individual projects. In addition to their flexibility, laser labelling systems like the mp-LM family are easy to operate and maintain – without expensive consumables. As a result, manufacturers can create higher-quality labels thanks to laser marking systems that provide an exceptional return on investment.

For more information about the Murrplastik mp-LM laser label system family, visit our product page.

Energy Guidance Systems Deliver Power and Uptime

Designers of industrial robots are always on the lookout for simpler, long-lasting ways to guide energy packets from axis three to axis six. Minimal downtime is a particularly important requirement for welding and material handling operations, so robotic dress pack systems that are easy to install and maintain can help plant managers enhance their uptime and return on investment.

Unfortunately, dress pack system implementation has become unwieldy. Plant personnel have to manage several parts from different vendors. Further, robot integrators face space constraints for their dress packs, and limited space also means that installers and maintenance personnel spend valuable time and effort just to access the parts. Thankfully, robotic equipment vendors are responding to these persistent energy supply challenges to provide today’s engineer with dress pack options that are much easier to implement and maintain. In fact, one such product offering provides designers with a universal, compact, self-contained energy delivery system.

Murrplastik’s R-TecLiner robotic dress pack builds on the company’s patented slider technology to easily guide energy packets while providing easy access, easy installation and long service life. It features an integrated spring return system that transports the energy packet safely and effectively in a low-wear manner within the smallest possible space. The system fits 56/70-size EWX conduits and carries a stroke length of 350 mm to 550 mm with custom lengths from 300 mm to 500 mm. And Murrplastik designed the R-TecLiner to make robot energy deployment easy.

Additional features include:

  • Simple installation. The packet delivery system comes in a compact size so that it can be inserted into a small housing to guide the conduit harnesses safely into very tight spaces. Depending on the application, the unit can mount directly into the robot without an additional base plate.
  • Simple maintenance. The anodized aluminum slider requires very little maintenance, which helps ensure a long service life. And, R-TecLiner lets personnel easily switch parts without disassembling the entire system.
  • Ease of access. The dress pack system’s small footprint means it stays out of the way of other robotic parts so installers and maintenance staff can get the job done faster and production can resume quicker. To get inside the device, simply remove a pair of screws.
  • Long service life. R-TecLiner’s, low-wear characteristics mean it will perform over a long lifetime. In addition, the energy guidance system is built with specially manufactured aluminum so it can withstand tough industrial environments. Its closed system design protects critical parts from dirt ingress.

Industrial robot integrators now have a system-level option to optimize energy package delivery in three- and six-axis robots. Not only can they take advantage of proven slider technology and a highly efficient spring return system, they can maximize system uptime and service life to improve the bottom line.

Learn More Here →

Be sure to check out Murrplastik’s R-TecLiner at ATX West 2018, booth 4355, February 6-8, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA.

New mp-Universal Marking Software

At SPS 2017, Murrplastik Systemtechnik will be presenting the mp-Universal Marking Software, a new generation of labeling software for all Murrplastik labeling technologies: plotting, inkjet printing, thermal transfer printing, engraving and laser cutting.

Cross-platform, intuitive, interactive labeling technology

In addition to the intuitive graphical interface and interactive working, the mp-Universal Marking software offers a high-quality print preview. The graphical user interface controls all parameters such as black level, numbers, symbols, logos and fonts. Testing shows that the labeling process can be accelerated by up to 50%.  With the new mp-Universal Marking Software, the users get a complex yet easy-to-use labeling software. All driver settings are configured directly in the software. On any label,  different fonts, styles and sizes can be used randomly.

In addition, The mp-Universal Marking software offers these features:

  • Supports dwg and dxf files.
  • Vector and bitmap file formats can be used without conversion in the graphics editor.
  • You can enter several data records in succession.
  • Labels can be edited in the print preview.
  • Changing the language settings (German, English, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese) is possible during operation.

Murrplastik labeling downloads

 

 

New MP 35 chain for lighter duty applications

Easy to install energy chain for lower load applications.

Murrplastik Systems presents the new MP 35, an easy-to-install energy chain for lighter duty applications. This low-cost energy chain with widths from 50 to 175 mm and with radii from 63 to 250 mm is suitable for short, fast applications with high driving dynamics, when used with handling and assembly robots for example. The chain links can be opened either on the outside (MP 35.1) or on the inside bend (MP 35.2).

In lower duty applications, such as when used with handling and assembly robots today, high quality demands are placed on the energy chains in terms of payload, speed and the length of the travel path. The new MP 35 with a total of 512 variants is appropriate for this purpose. Murrplastik offers the MP 35 with inside widths of 50, 65, 75, 90, 100, 125, 150 and 175 mm as well as with radii of 63, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200 and up to 250 mm. The MP 35 has an internal height of 35 mm. The pitch is 18 chain links per meter.

The MP 35 offers a very flexible shelving system and divisible shelf supports that make it much easier to equip the energy chain with cables. Due to a multitude of possible combinations, the ideal shelving system can be put together for every application. The shelf dividers snap into the frame bars and cannot slip. With every installation variant, the cables remain in the original position. That means longer life.

Premium laser marking for smaller budgets

The labeling specialist Murrplastik Systems presents the new LM 1 Premium laser marking system, which enables automated and cost-effective in-house production, even for medium-sized companies.

Laser-marked metal or plastic identification tags are widely used in the automation industry. For example, for labeling wires, cables, terminals, operating and signaling devices or for switching and media devices. Medium-sized companies previously shunned in-house production with a premium laser system, since acquisition and operation were significantly more expensive compared to outsourcing. Murrplastik now introduces the LM1, a premium laser marking system that not only scores with its low purchase price; The low operating and maintenance costs make automated laser marking affordable even for companies without high labeling volumes.

Murrplastik presents the LM 1, a laser system that can be used to produce abrasion-resistant quality markings on a variety of base materials. The high quality of laser marking of plastic results from a chemical reaction in the marking material itself, “carbonization”. It is a color change, which is only generated by the impact of the laser beam moved through a mirror, and the laser marking is thus made contactless.
As a result, the label is razor sharp even with the smallest fonts and graphics. Due to the “carbonization” the labeling is resistant to UV light, acid, oil, mechanical stress and other environmental influences. Signs made of polycarbonate and polypropylene (PC / PP), anodized aluminum, stainless steel or laser foils can be labeled with a maximum size of 120 x 120mm².

From the production floor to the office.

Optionally, the LM1 laser system may include additional accessories such as a suction and filter unit. The air-cooled laser marker LM1 is quite compact for its performance class.

Automated labeling is now affordable.

Identification labels can be labeled automatically with the LM1 laser system. Signs made of PC or PP are stacked directly in the insertion hopper. For laser applications made of aluminum, stainless steel or laser foil material, the identification labels are first placed on a variable base plate and then inserted into the hopper. If different print materials are contained in a print job, the respective number is ensured by separating mats when changing the type. The conversion from one print job to another is done in a few simple steps.
The labeled labels are stacked in a removable container. Upon request, this collection container can be replaced by company-specific storage system boxes.

The handling with the proven ACS software is intuitive.

The handling of the LM 1 laser station is very easy. The LM 1 can be operated via USB port or Ethernet via a PC and the proven labeling software ACS. The user uses the ACS software to determine the optical density of the label and has all numbers, symbols, logos and fonts under control. Intuitive ACS software makes it easy to move from a printer system to the LM1 laser marker. Existing projects can be imported in a short time.

Minimal acquisition and operating costs.

Especially when using a laser printer, the hidden costs reveal themselves. Because in addition to the purchase price, the operating costs must be taken into account. Here, the new LM1 laser marking system can convince with its minimal operating costs across the board. On the one hand, the LM1 laser marker does not require any consumables – on the other hand, the system operates almost service-free, so the maintenance effort is minimal. The energy consumption is exemplary. The power consumption of the LM1 laser marking system is just 0.5 kW.

Labeling solutions from a single source.

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of labeling systems, Murrplastik offers a complete system for all marking tasks. In addition to different labeling technologies ranging from thermal transfer printers to various inkjet printers to the new LM 1 laser marking system, Murrplastik offers perfectly matched marking materials. Most of the materials are halogen-free, comply with the V0 brand classification, are temperature-resistant up to 284° F and have railway and vehicle registration certifications.

The proven KDL/D cable entry system for pre-assembled cables is now able to accept three sleeve sizes.

The KDL/D series has been expanded by two new variants. They can now accept large sleeves to feed in lines with diameters of 22 – 30 mm.

We can now offer the option of feeding cables with plugs into the housing with even better fitting sleeves. The KDL/D entry system stands out due to the following characteristics:

– Uninterrupted cable guidance
– Simple assembly
– Integrated strain relief
– Fits standard cut-out dimensions
– High IP65 protection class