7-Axis Cobot With Fast Teaching and Simple Controls
Armed with torque sensors in all 7 axes that detect and immediately react to contact with a human coworker, KUKA’s LBR iiwa eliminates the need for safety fences for true human-robot collaboration (HRC).
Posted: June 24, 2020
LBR stands for “Leichtbauroboter,” which is German for lightweight robot; iiwa for “intelligent industrial work assistant.” Thanks to joint torque sensors in all 7 axes that detect contact with a human coworker, the LBR iiwa from KUKA (Carpentersville, IL) opens the door to increased efficiency and productivity via human-robot collaboration (HRC) in applications including assembly, palletizing and packaging, material handling, measuring/inspection, and machining.
Available in payload capacities of 15 pounds (7 kilograms) and almost 31 pounds (14 kilograms) with reaches of 2.62 feet (800 mm) and 2.69 feet (820 mm), respectively, the robot weighs 49 pounds (22.3 kilograms).
Thanks to joint torque sensors in all 7 axes, the LBR iiwa instantly reduced its level of force and speed upon detecting contact with a human coworker. Position and compliance control enable it to handle delicate components without creating crushing and shearing hazards.
High-performance servo control also detects contours quickly under force control. It establishes the correct installation position and mounts components quickly and with the utmost precision with an axis-specific torque accuracy of ±2% of the maximum torque. The robot can also quickly find small, delicate components without assistance.
The KUKA Sunrise Cabinet controller simplifies start-up of even complex applications. Choose from three operating modes – position controller, gravity compensation, and compliance controller – and program the robot via simulation: indicate the desired position and it remembers the coordinates of the path point. Stop for breaks and control it with simple touch commands.
There are two types of media flange for the LBR iiwa. Pneumatic and electrical energy supply systems, which is hidden in the robot’s kinematic structure, are available. All media flange hole patterns conform to DIN ISO 9409-1-50-7-M6.
