KUKA presents its automation portfolio for human-robot collaboration and the laser cutting of plastics
With the mobile flexFELLOW micro-system, the systems specialist KUKA demonstrates the advantages of human-robot collaboration (HRC) from 10 to 13 October at Motek, the international trade fair for automation in production and assembly.
13 September 2016

The solution relies on the engineering of KUKA Systems and the seven-axis LBR iiwa lightweight robot. Thanks to its responsive properties, the KUKA flexFELLOW independently locates the position of the motor screws – even when the AGV does not stop precisely at the workstation. Using torque sensors, the robot detects if it is touched by a human and stops. The entire workstation – including the power wrench, the positioning devices (if necessary) and the platform with the human-machine interface – must be designed for use in an application for human-robot collaboration (HRC). This means that the components must meet the usual technical requirements, but, at the same time, be lighter, rounder and safer overall. To achieve this, KUKA offers a broad portfolio – from HRC engineering to HRC components through to certified overall systems – in the area of Advanced Technology Solutions for integrators and end customers.

3-kg payload and a reach of 540 millimeters – the KR 3 AGILUS
At the KUKA booth in Stuttgart (Hall 7 / Booth 7214) from 10 to 13 October, KUKA makes system solutions and robotics come alive.
Components for HRC applications
To successfully implement HRC applications, components specially tailored to individual requirements are needed. The following can be seen at the KUKA trade fair booth:
- KUKA flexFELLOW ceiling: In extremely confined spaces, the KUKA flexFELLOW can be expanded with the ceiling-mounted module. This consists of a floor platform with an adjustable column, a rotating bracket arm and a ceiling-mounted lightweight robot LBR iiwa 7 R800 or 14 R820. All electric components are integrated into the floor platform. The solution is height adjustable, can be rotated and is easy to move and transport.
- HRC linear axis: A linear axis expands the work envelope of the KUKA LBR iiwa in applications designed for human-robot collaboration. Thanks to travel of up to 5 meters with floor or ceiling installation, the lean system can also fit into existing systems. The protective measures that are usually required are already integrated into it.
- KUKA grippers: The special grippers developed by KUKA are designed so that injuries to human operators are avoided. They also offer a rounded design with no edges, which eliminates injuries from the housing. KUKA offers various types of grippers – such as the LBR sensitive gripper R801, which was developed in collaboration with the Zimmer Group – for a variety of different applications. In addition, it offers other diverse pneumatic HRC grippers, such as the two-jaw gripper, the expansion gripper, the two-jaw parallel gripper and the three-jaw gripper.
- KUKA power wrench: The HRC-enabled KUKA power wrenches enable the quick automation of manual screw-fastening. They can be used in an existing production system without further modifications – thus reducing cycle times. They are suitable for safety-critical class-A screwed connections, function-critical class-B screwed connections and for simple class-C screwed connections.
KUKA components under www.flexfellow.de