As the adoption of industrial robot technology continues to grow, so does demand for robots that can operate longer between maintenance cycles with higher levels of consistency and accuracy. To meet this demand, engineers are paying closer attention to the robotic sealing and connecting components they choose for their designs.
By using custom-engineered components, like the Bal Seal® spring-energized seal and the Bal Spring® canted coil spring, engineers can significantly improve the design and performance of robots used in food & beverage handling, pharmaceutical, automotive assembly, and many other industrial operations. This is due to the ability of custom components to meet very specific robotic sealing application requirements.
Robotic Sealing Applications
The Bal Seal spring-energized seal provides superior protection against leakage and contamination in robotic motors, where it resists extrusion and breakdown in lubricants and other aggressive media. But that’s only one of many applications for it. As a robotic arm component, the Bal Seal’s extremely low coefficient of friction helps eliminate stick-slip and promote consistent, accurate movement over millions of cycles. It performs equally well in robotic actuators.
Inside the Bal Seal’s jacket, a canted coil spring energizer applies a near-constant, measured force to the inner and outer seal diameters. The spring compensates for irregular wear, prevents the premature formation of leak paths, and prolongs service life.
The seal jacket itself is made up of custom-blended PTFE, UHMWPE, or other premium polymers. The material is formulated to achieve an ideal balance of friction and sealing effectiveness. If the application requires, the seal can be precision-machined from FDA compatible materials.
The seal’s geometry can play a critical role in its performance for robotic sealing applications. Seal length, cross-section, lip and heel dimensions are all engineered to minimize wear and meet specific serviceability requirements.
Robotic Arm Components That Perform & Protect
When consideration is given to all of these factors in a robotic sealing design, the seal can deliver more uptime in an application. This can dramatically improve the performance of the robotic system in which the seal is installed – whether it’s a robotic actuator, motor, or arm – and even of the overall robot.
For example, when the right combination of material, force, and geometry is used to design a seal for the arm joint of a robot used in food handling, that seal can provide an optimal balance of low-friction operation for smoother, more accurate positioning. It can also protect against fluid ingress during washdown processes, helping designers and manufacturers meet strict IPX standards.
Bal Spring: A Multi-Function Robotic Arm Component
Apart from its role as a seal energizer, the Bal Spring canted coil spring is also a proven, independent component for mechanical connecting, electrical conducting, and EMI/RFI shielding. In industrial robotics, the Bal Spring can help designers reduce system complexity by performing multiple functions and enabling the quick, hassle-free switching of robotic tools on end effectors.
The Bal Spring latches, locks, or holds parts together, and its insertion/removal forces can be precisely controlled from just a few ounces to more than 1,000 lbs. With its independently deflecting coils, which serve as redundant contact points, the Bal Spring can ensure consistent electrical connectivity. Its ability to connect, conduct, and shield against EMI/RFI gives robot designers more flexibility.
