The benefits of these maintenance robots are clear to see . With more systematic inspections , faults — whether on our roads , on-street infrastructure , or underground — can be picked up far more quickly , enabling faster , cheaper repairs . The integration of automation technology into a utility company ’ s toolkit could be hugely advantageous , but it all begins with the right robot .
Building a robot to meet demands
Whether it ’ s a small DC motor powering drone propellers or carefully positioning a robotic arm , how well these tasks are performed is down to the capabilities of the drive system .
There are several key elements for design engineers to consider when specifying a suitable drive system for maintenance robot applications . Weight is a vital consideration . Drones , for instance , need to be lightweight for several reasons . A lighter device will have more power efficiency , but heavier drones can also demand specialist licenses when being flown in built-up areas .
Developments in drone technology , including the commercialisation of drones with advanced camera
systems mean that building powerful , lightweight drones is becoming increasingly possible . But for drones carrying out repairs on their own , the weight and size of the tools required must also be considered . As a result , design engineers might find themselves with more weight restrictions than initially thought .
For robots operating in compact spaces , such as within pipework , size is another key consideration . The drive system must be as compact as possible to reduce the overall size of the robot , else they introduce another source of obstruction . Yet , despite a smaller size , the motor must still be able to provide enough torque to carry out repair tasks effectively , such as tightening screws or applying filler paste .
Precision gearheads
To help maintain a high torque , engineers can make use of precision gearheads . These small gearboxes sit between the motor and point of power transfer , slowing high motor speeds while significantly increasing available torque . They also help to improve movement control , ideal for high-precision work .
For compact applications such as those in small maintenance robots , planetary gearheads are the ideal solution . These make use of toothed planetary gears that rotate around the centrally mounted sun gear , with the number of teeth determining the reduction ratio . Planetary gearheads have an increased number of contact points thanks to the toothed gear design , making them especially robust , with a long service life .
And this access to higher torques can be achieved with minimal extension of the drive length . FAULHABER offers a variety of planetary gearheads , distributed exclusively in the UK and Ireland by EMS . The smallest gearhead in the micro range has a diameter of just 3.4 millimetres , with the smallest standard gearhead still only a diameter of six millimetres .
While infrastructure repair work is essential for many core services , there ’ s no denying the social and economic impact it can have . Updating maintenance strategies with the latest technologies , including advanced robotics , can help to minimise negative effects of repair work all while building better , more reliable infrastructure for the future .
For further information , please visit www . ems-limited . co . uk
Issue 70 PECM 99