Use of high strength fibre ropes in multi-rope kinematic robot systems

Abstract

High strength fibre ropes are facing a strongly increasing interest for rope driven applications. Basic characteristics such as strength are already competitive or even outperforming wire ropes; however other limitations still prevent their full reliable industrial use. One particular application where the advantages of high strength fibre ropes do have an extraordinary important effect on the usability of the application is the use in robot systems with multi-rope kinematics. Basic requirements of these systems are (among others) high accuracy paired with a high efficiency, which means high process velocities as well as high accelerations and decelerations. Many tests have already been conducted to simulate a wide range of load settings—however up to date testing of fibre ropes in high speed usage is still mostly missing. This article describes the state of the art of high strength fibre rope usage in material handling, discusses advantages and disadvantages of these ropes and points out the most important challenges for research and improvement of rope driven robot systems.