A robot that defies moisture: the new robolink IP44 from igus

Thanks to the grease-free and corrosion-resistant combination of plastic and stainless steel, the new robolink has an IP44 protection class. (Source: igus GmbH)

Spray water is at least not an issue for the new robolink IP44. (Source: igus GmbH)

Humid and wet environments can quickly attack a robot's mechanics. Therefore, igus has now launched a low-cost automation innovation on the market that can easily and inexpensively perform simple tasks and at the same time come into contact with splashing water. "From customer conversations, we learned that many users are looking for an economically affordable solution that can also be used in splash water environments, for example when emulsions need to be removed," explains Alexander Mühlens, Head of Automation Technology at igus GmbH. "We then developed a robot that is suitable for this purpose." The new robolink takes advantage of two materials: stainless steel and high-performance plastics. The connecting elements, for the first time in an igus robot, are made of corrosion-resistant V2 or V4 stainless steel, and the joints are made of proven maintenance-free tribopolymers. The user does not need an expensive additional cover because, by avoiding lubrication in the joints, no grease can be washed out and enter the environment. The new robolink meets at least protection class IP44 and is thus resistant to splashing water. It can carry up to three kilograms, has a reach of 790 millimeters with five axes, and performs 7 picks per minute. Thanks to the use of motors with encoders of protection class IP65, the robot can also be easily used for inspection outdoors. Other application scenarios include, for example, the food and beverage industry, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, or tank and container cleaning.