Shaking hands with a robot: igus markets bionic hand for ReBeL cobot

igus adds a humanoid hand of lubricant-free high-performance plastics to its ReBeL product range

Robots have become indispensable in industry and are increasingly finding their way into small and medium-sized businesses in the form of cobots, such as the ReBeL. They sort, pick and move using cameras, vacuums and gripper systems. igus has now developed a finger gripper for the ReBeL cobot so that it can also perform humanoid tasks. It is made entirely of lubricant-free plastics and is therefore very cost-effective and easy to integrate.

With the ReBeL igus has launched a compact and lightweight cobot that provides a cost-effective way to begin working with robotics. It is ideal for assembly tasks, quality inspections and jobs in the service industry. For the robot to actually perform tasks, it needs grippers and suction cups. For this, igus offers a wide selection of suitable end-effectors from various manufacturers on the RBTX.com marketplace. "Because the ReBeL is very light and affordable, weighing about 8 kilograms and priced from €3,830, it is often used in humanoid applications. For this reason, we have received several requests from customers for a robotic hand that can be easily plug and play connected to the ReBeL," explains Roy Snellens out, Product Manager Low-Cost Automation at igus. That's why igus now has a particularly cost-effective ReBeL finger gripper developed, which is available for only €2,392. The humanoid hand is compatible with all ReBeL models. It is controlled via DIO at the center of the tool, making it easy to integrate and suitable for various applications. The special feature of the finger gripper is that it can mimic a person's hand movements. "The ReBeL can perform a wide range of simple humanoid tasks and applications with the new affordable hand. We are thinking of areas such as research and development at universities and tasks in the catering or entertainment industry," Snellens said.

Precise movements thanks to high-quality plastics

All components, including the flange, cables and control unit, are supplied directly by igus in Cologne. This gives the customer a solution that is 100% compatible. Lubrication-free high-quality plastics keep the price low. The plain bearings in the joints made of iglidur polymers are not only economical and lubrication-free, but also ensure smooth and precise movements of the individual fingers. Extensive tests in the in-house laboratory with an area of 3,800 square meters guarantee the longevity of the humanoid hand. They are extremely flexible and can be controlled via various interfaces, including USB, TTL (5V) serial and internal scripting. In addition to the finger gripper, igus also offers other products for the ReBeL environment. These include fireproof fume hoods, a 7th axis, gripper sets, adapter plate sets, power supply systems, a finished workstation and connection cables.