Digital business models and automation are integral components of Industry 4.0. Bonfiglioli has now announced that it will expand and further develop its range of digital business models and services under the keyword "servitization". These will go beyond traditional after-sales and maintenance services and the spare parts business. The aim is to provide customers and users with digital solutions that offer significant added value. Key points here include IoT platforms, smart products and edge and cloud solutions.

Market for mobile and industrial robots is growing

The International Federation of Robotics expects an average annual growth rate for robot installations worldwide in the mid single-digit range for the years 2021 to 2024. The robotics association expects to catch up in 2022 or 2023, with the historic mark of 500,000 robot units installed worldwide per year likely to be reached in 2024.

New drive platform for AGVs and AMRs

Bonfiglioli also wants to benefit from this development and is introducing BlueRoll, a new drive platform for Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR). This drive platform is based on the new TQW wheel gearbox series; the gearbox is almost completely enclosed by the wheel. Thanks to the mounting flange with threaded and through holes, the gearbox can be integrated into the chassis on the vehicle side. The wheel is supported directly by the reinforced gearbox bearings. The system consists of a gearbox and a drive wheel and is available in three versions: the basic version and the 'Advanced' and 'Compact' versions with servomotors. Depending on which of the three gearbox sizes is involved, loads of up to 360 kg, 720 kg and 1020 kg can be transported per unit at speeds of up to 2 m/s.

According to the company, the BlueRoll Advanced version is characterized by high rigidity and precision as well as high torque capacity. Compared to the Advanced version, the Compact version is 25 % shorter and is particularly suitable for long operating times. As it can be very cold in storage environments, the BlueRoll series also works reliably at -25 °C.