This content was written and submitted by the supplier. It has only been modified to comply with this publication’s space and style.
The Beckhoff Atro modular system enables the flexibility in robot kinematics to fit essentially any application with payloads up to 10 kg and reaches of up to 1.3 meters. With a wide variety of modules, the Atro system gives users the power to create almost any custom robot design within the rated payloads for their application—from a simple single-axis rotary indexing table application and delta kinematics up to multi-axis articulated robots. Expansive configurations with as many as 16 robotic arms are possible.
The adapted structures are simply scanned by the control software, and the TwinCAT robotics functions automatically create the corresponding control application—including a digital twin. Robot teaching with Atro is easy and efficient. Users simply move the custom assembled robot arm into the desired positions and set them via a user interface.
Ensuring simple commissioning and handling, the system is based on EtherCAT and directly integrated into PC-based control technology, resulting in an optimized and complete solution for machines and plants. This reduces the number of controllers needed to just one industrial PC, even for multiple robots.
Atro kinematics are made up of active joints—the motor modules. These are available in different designs: straight modules in I-shape or angled modules in L-shape, which are designed in five power sizes. Each motor module forms a complete drive system for one axis of the robot. The only external components required are a power supply and a controller, which reduces the space required in the control cabinet. In addition to the active modules, there are connection modules without their own drive.
All the modules are interconnected via the Atro interface, which guarantees a rigid mechanical connection along with reliable, continuous media feeds. Data, power, and other lines, such as compressed air, vacuum, or water are guided internally through the Atro kinematics modules.
The system integrates all essential machine functionalities due to its deep integration into standard TwinCAT automation software and EtherCAT, which allows the control of multiple Atro robots from a single controller. The use of open interfaces and universal standards enables plug-and-play of the custom robot configuration, as well as simple engineering.
