Press Release

PI.4.16.GB

Mauerstetten, 20.10.2014

Long version

Robots for the agriculture of the future

mayr®power transmissionsupport the Field Robot Team at the University of Osnabrück

At the international Field Robot Event 2014, theteam from the University of Osnabrück won 3rd place in the overall ranking with its robot,"The Great Cornholio". mayr®power transmissionsupported the students and contributed backlash-free, elasticROBA®-ES shaft couplings. These compensate for shaft misalignment, are simple to install and are maintenance-free – idealprerequisites for application in the small,yet robustfield robots.

They weed, fertilise, monitor the health status of plants and communicate with each other– that the little, intelligentfield robotcan work completely autonomously,has been clearly shown by this annual internationalField Robot Event. In 2014, 23 teams from 10 European countries competed against each other in Bernburg,near Halle in Saxony-Anhalt. The team from the University of Osnabrück took 3rd place in the overall ranking with its robot, "The Great Cornholio". Furthermore, the team around captain Heiko Wilms was able to assert itselfin the "Cooperative Task": "The Great Cornholio"not only autonomously navigates in almostimpassable terrain, but in the process can also communicate with other field robotsand coordinate its work. Backlash-free, vibration-damping ROBA®-ES shaft couplingsfrom mayr®power transmissionare deployed in the drive line of the robot. Thecouplingscompensate for radial, axial and angularshaft misalignment, and provide convincing results through a simple plug-in assemblyandmaintenance-free operation.

Navigation in the corn fields

"The Great Cornholio"measures around half a metre in length, widthand height, andis based on a modular, component-basedrobot modular system. It is equipped with cameras,laserscanners and measuring units, which are used fordetection or position determination of the weeds and obstacles. “The Great Cornholio" is made from aluminium in order to save weight and to enable higher driving speeds. The robot is driven bytwoDC motorsexcited by permanent magnets, withplanetary gears, and the torquetotals15 Nm. A ROBA®-ES clawcouplingtransmits the torqueand speedfrom the motor shaft to one wheel each on each side. The other wheel is connected via a chain drive to the first wheel. The separate drive units allow each side of the robot to be controlled independently of the other. The advantage of this concept is thesmallturning radius and the associated improved manoeuvrability, which is especially important for the robot in the narrow, winding rows of the test corn fields.

Elasticand backlash-free

The elastic ROBA®-ES couplingsfor the connection of two shafts transmit the torquebacklash-freeand compensate for shaft misalignments. The damping compensation element protects the drive system from criticalvibrations. Nevertheless, thecouplingsare so torsionally rigid that, even in case of highly dynamicservo drives, no compromisesare made on accuracy. Withthe ROBA®-ES coupling,clawsreciprocally engage into the input andoutput sidehubin a star-shapedintermediate ringmade from elastomer. Under slight pre-tension,this transmission elastomer made from polyurethanefills the space between the clawprofilesand absorbsvibrations. The damping properties and the rigidity of thecouplingcan be varied via different shore hardnesses of the plastic.These clamping hubs, made of aluminium,guarantee a minimal mass inertia and ensure quick and reliable installation.

Figure 1:

P-4-16-Bild1.jpg

The future of modern agriculture: The field robotnot only navigates autonomously, but can also communicate with other robots in the process and coordinate its work.

Figure: University of Osnabrück

Figure 2:

F-4-06-Bild1.jpg

Thebacklash-free, vibration-damping ROBA®-ES shaft couplingsfrom mayr®power transmissioncompensate for radial, axial and angularshaft misalignment. They convince through a simpleplug-in assemblyand maintenance-free operation.

Figure: Mayr power transmission

Contact:

Chr. Mayr GmbH + Co.KG

Eichenstraße 1, 87665 Mauerstetten

Simone Winkler, Public Relations

Tel.: 08341/804-2332, Fax: 08341/804-492332

Email: , Web:

In the case of publication, we ask for a specimen copy of each publication.

Press Release

PI.4.16.GB

Mauerstetten, 20.10.2014

Short version

Intelligentfield robot

mayr®power transmissionsupports the Field Robot Team of the University of Osnabrück. The students won 3rd place with their robot at the international Field Robot Event 2014. The backlash-free, elastic ROBA®-ES shaft couplingsin the drive line of the robotcompensate for shaft misalignment, are simple to install and are maintenance-free.

At the internationalField Robot Event 2014,23 teams from 10 European countries competed against each other in Bernburg near Halle in Sachsen-Anhalt. The team from the University of Osnabrück took 3rd place in the overall ranking with its robot, "The Great Cornholio". The little, intelligentfield robotcan not only autonomouslynavigatein almostimpassable terrain, butcan also communicate with other field robots and coordinate its work.

"The Great Cornholio"is driven by two DC motors excited by permanent magnets, with planetary gears, and the torque totals 15 Nm. A ROBA®-ES claw coupling transmits the torque and speed from the motor shaft to one wheel each on each side. The other wheel is connected via a chain drive to the first wheel. Separating the drive units allows each side of the robot to be controlled independently of the other. This ensures a small turning radius and the associated improved manoeuvrability.

Elasticand backlash-free

Thebacklash-free, vibration-dampingROBA®-ES shaft couplingsfrom mayr®power transmissioncompensate for radial, axial and angular shaft misalignment. They convince through a simple plug-in assembly and maintenance-free operation. With this shaft coupling,claws reciprocally engage into the input and output side hub in a star-shaped intermediate ring made from elastomer. Under slight pre-tension, this transmission elastomer made from polyurethane fills the space between the claw profiles and absorbs vibrations.Thisprotects the drive system from critical vibrations. Nevertheless, the couplings are so torsionally rigid that, even in highly dynamic servo drives, no compromises are made on accuracy.

Contact:

Chr. Mayr GmbH + Co.KG

Eichenstraße 1, 87665 Mauerstetten

Simone Winkler, Public Relations

Tel.: 08341/804-2332, Fax: 08341/804-492332

E-Mail: , Web:

In the case of publication, we ask for a specimen copy of each publication.