Turning and tilting loads up to 550 kg

With the system, all types of tanks can be safely lifted, rotated, and emptied. The drive allows for precise pouring, the handling manipulator compensates for the weight loss and remains stationary in the Z-axis without additional activation of a control unit. (Source: Dalmec GmbH)

The manipulator can be performed standing, floor-mounted, hanging, or ceiling-mounted. (Source: Dalmec GmbH)

The manipulator can be performed standing, mobile on the ground, hanging, or ceiling-mounted. (Source: Dalmec GmbH)

Depending on the individual design of the gripping device, a wide variety of products can be precisely aligned. (Source: Dalmec GmbH)

Depending on the individual design of the gripping device, a wide variety of products can be precisely aligned. (Source: Dalmec GmbH)

"Pneumatic manipulators can be manufactured in an ATEX product-compliant design suitable for use in explosive atmospheres of Zone 1 or 2," says Dieter Hager, Sales Manager at Dalmec. (Source: Dalmec GmbH)

In many industries, such as the chemical industry, handling manipulators are used for lifting and moving heavy loads. However, most models only allow for repositioning various products; rotating or swiveling is generally not possible. Dalmec GmbH has now developed the PARTNER EQUO, a pneumatic handling manipulator that can perform these movements as well: It features an arm extension at the end of which a gripping device with an endless rotary joint and a rotary drive are mounted. This makes it particularly suitable for lifting, rotating, and emptying tanks or entire assemblies. The modular design also allows each manipulator to be tailored precisely to the individual requirements of the respective operation in terms of construction and functional equipment. Additionally, the shape and dimensions of the arm extension can be specially adjusted, enabling the device to be used even in very confined work environments. The PARTNER EQUO, which has a load capacity of up to 550 kg, can be viewed at this year's MOTEK exhibition.

In the explosion-proof area of a chemical industry operation, the contents of tanks of all kinds—such as steel roll-off tanks, plastic tanks, and drums—are transferred. Only precisely weighed partial quantities are taken. For this task, Dalmec GmbH supplied a pneumatic handling manipulator of the type PARTNER EQUO. Unlike other manipulators, this one can not only lift, move, and position products but also rotate and swivel them, allowing the operation to precisely dose the tank contents.

Precise pouring through third joint and rotary drive

In its basic configuration, the PARTNER EQUO, controlled by pneumatic balancing cylinders, has two joints: "The main rotary joint ensures that the manipulator can be rotated endlessly around the main axis, while the rotation angle of the middle joint between the parallelogram and the arm extension is typically limited to 315°," explains Dieter Hager, Sales Manager at Dalmec. The handling manipulators from the Italian company are modular; consisting of a base unit, an arm extension, and a mounting device. "The device can therefore be equipped with various mechanical or pneumatically operated gripping devices. Among other options, a pneumatic version with an endless rotary joint and a pneumatic rotary drive can also be mounted," Hager elaborates.

This third joint allows for the execution of rotation and swivel movements. In chemical operations, this enables the safe lifting, rotating, and emptying of all types of tanks. The drive allows for precise pouring, with the handling manipulator compensating for weight loss and remaining stationary in the Z-axis without additional activation of a control unit. The basis for this is a special system for the vertical movement of the pneumatic balancing cylinder, which keeps the parallelogram constant and ensures uniform movement both when empty and loaded across the entire working height range.

Due to its exclusively pneumatic operation—requiring at least 0.6 MPa—the device is particularly reliable and easy to maintain. In case of compressed air failure, the loaded load cannot fall. Additionally, joint brakes fix the main and middle axes as well as the mounting devices in every position approached by the operator. Thanks to pneumatic operation, Dalmec manipulators are also suitable for explosion-proof areas: "They can be manufactured in a version compliant with the ATEX product directive 94/9/EC, suitable for use in explosive environments of Zone 1 or 2," says Hager.

Handling solutions tailored to individual needs

The PARTNER EQUO is available with a radius from 2.5 m to 4.5 m for loads up to 550 kg and with a vertical lift of 1.25 to 2.45 m. "This version for the chemical company has a load capacity of around 250 kg and a working lift of 1.4 m," says Hager. Basically, each Dalmec manipulator can be customized in its construction and functional equipment to meet the specific handling requirements of each operation. The design can be standing, floor-mounted, hanging, or ceiling-mounted. The shape and dimensions of the arm extension can also be individually adjusted, allowing the device to be used even in very tight workspaces. "The grippers are also designed specifically for the particular application," Hager adds. Furthermore, manipulators of the PARTNER type and their corresponding mounting devices can be completely made of stainless steel to meet the requirements of the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries' cleanliness classes.

The basis of each design is usually pneumatically controlled handling systems that follow the natural movement pattern of the worker. "The worker himself only needs to exert minimal manual force to move it. Workstations equipped with such ergonomic handling systems can also accommodate employees with mobility impairments," explains Hager.

At MOTEK 2015 in Stuttgart, a model of the PARTNER EQUO as well as a POSIVEL with a suction device for cartons / Hobbocks and a changeover device with hooks can be viewed.