Mr. Niermann, what prompted Igus to establish a 'Low Cost Automation' division?

Stefan Niermann: We believe that there is a huge demand for low-cost automation, especially in medium-sized companies - but also in large plants, for example in the automotive industry. We also see this in our own company, where it is increasingly important to automate simple work steps - for example assembly or sorting tasks - with an investment that is manageable and ideally pays for itself in less than six months. In our Linear and Drive Technology business unit, which has been in existence for 20 years, we have been developing automation solutions such as gantries for a long time - and at the beginning of last year we also developed a Delta robot. At the same time, there was another business unit - called Robolink - which started as a small business unit in 2009 and today primarily deals with robotics construction kits consisting of individual joints through to complete robot arms. We are now merging these two business units in order to be able to present the complete portfolio of low-cost automation solutions to customers at a glance under the name 'Low Cost Automation'. This makes it easier for the user to make a quick decision on the right product.

Under the Robolink umbrella, Igus initially introduced wire-actuated robots in 2010. How has the topic developed since then?

Stefan Niermann: Draw-wire robots still exist, but they are no longer being actively developed. The reason is that the technology has not established itself on the market - especially as an industrial solution. The wire rope hoist is technically difficult to control and very challenging in terms of control technology. Since 2014, we have therefore been relying on a different concept, which we are still pursuing today - articulated arm robots. These have a gearbox and a motor with integrated sensors in each axis. We also work with as many plastic injection-moulded parts as possible to keep costs low and make it easy to integrate the individual components into the robot arm.

Igus' claim at the upcoming Hannover Messe is: From 'raw robot' to robot. What exactly do you mean by that?

Stefan Niermann: 'Raw' simply means 'not quite finished'. In other words, we at Igus supply the statics and kinematics, mainly manufactured using plastics technology. However, in addition to the 'skeleton and muscles', a finished robot also includes the 'brain' in the form of a suitable control system or various 'sensory organs' such as optics or camera systems and, last but not least, the appropriate grippers for the application. At the trade fair, we will be using appropriate exhibits to demonstrate to visitors how we can implement entry-level industrial robot solutions together with partners such as Beckhoff, Schunk, Schmalz and ifm - and with a starting capital of just 1,000 to 3,000 euros for the raw robot.

The cables are routed internally via integrated cable ducts in the latest enclosed generation of robots. This saves installation space and prepares the articulated arms for use in the field of human-robot collaboration (HRC).

© Igus

In terms of kinematics, you will be showing a new 4- to 5-axis robot, among other things. What specifically distinguishes it?

Stefan Niermann: Compared to the previous Robolink D-arm, the new kinematics are narrower and no longer have an external energy supply chain. Instead, we have integrated the cables into the side plastic cladding of the robot arm. The basic frame is still made of metal in order to achieve a high level of rigidity, and the type of gearbox - we use a worm gearbox - has also remained the same. However, we have reworked the individual plastic joints once again, which means we end up with a more precise robot that can also carry more load than before. Depending on the speed, the payload will be a maximum of 3 kg, and 1.5 kg in pick & place mode.

As far as the precision of the robot is concerned, we are talking about ±0.3 mm for point-to-point movement. However, the accuracy always depends on the controller and encoder technology used. At the trade fair, we will be showcasing various solutions from different manufacturers in this regard - including one from a start-up company that uses optical camera detection to immediately counter-regulate at all joints, thereby achieving extremely high precision from our robot arms.

Last but not least, Igus will be presenting the concept of a digital marketplace for low-cost automation in Hanover. What does this look like?

Stefan Niermann: The aim of the new website, which will go live on the very first day of the trade fair under the domain rbtx.com, is to guide users as much as possible in putting together their automation solution and, for example, to provide them with a suggestion for a possible 'raw robot' based on user stories. They will also be shown specially selected components - such as grippers and cameras - that they can be sure are suitable for connection to the robot and have already been used in comparable applications.

Isn't something more needed so that a machine manufacturer can easily assemble a solution from low-cost components from different suppliers - for example, customized interfaces or a software framework that allows everything to be easily integrated?

Stefan Niermann: In the first step, the marketplace - as already indicated - will primarily serve as a guide to which components from which manufacturers interact with each other. In addition, however, we are already looking at the idea of also giving the integrators a 'home' via the platform in a further step?

What should the business model of the marketplace look like? Who will the user ultimately buy their solution from?

Stefan Niermann: There are various platform models. We are currently working on a suitable model and will announce further steps after the Hannover Messe.

Marketplaces thrive on openness and the widest possible range of products. Who can take part in the Igus online marketplace - including competitors?

Stefan Niermann: The idea is to offer customers low-cost entry-level solutions via this platform - initially based on our plastic robots. I agree with you: To really be a platform, you cannot and must not exclude market competitors. At the moment, however, I see few companies that are also enthusiastic about the idea of low-cost automation. In any case, our goal is: robots from 1,000 to 5,000 euros! If, in the course of the platform, we are approached by suppliers who also pursue this goal, they can be integrated. Otherwise, customer demand will determine the supply of the platform.

How do your potential marketplace partners deal with the term 'low-cost automation'? I can imagine that not everyone wants to be associated with it without further ado?

Stefan Niermann: We are aware that this term is attractive and may not be immediately welcomed by every provider and customer. However, we are equally convinced that there is a growing market for low-cost automation and are therefore hopeful that other manufacturers will also see this as a new opportunity and follow suit with a corresponding cost-effective low-cost product. If, in the end, each platform participant offers its high-quality components to the customer at a good price and the customer also has the certainty that all components are coordinated with each other, then affordable automation will have been realized.