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Genesis Robotics & Motion Technologies announces the availability of its new LiveDrive® LDD 1800 Series Direct Drive Actuators, with an extensive range of configurations and performance options. LiveDrive direct-drive actuators eliminate the need for gearing and are redefining the next generation of parallel robots and precision machinery, unlocking capabilities beyond the reach of conventional drivetrains, across many applications.

LiveDrive LDD actuators redefine the standard of simplicity, cleanliness, and productivity for high-throughput machines. LiveDrive is a high-torque, compact, direct-drive solution designed for robots and machines in the food, packaging, pharmaceuticals, and electronics industries. LiveDrive reduces maintenance requirements while increasing uptime and reliability. And with no need for gears, belts, or lubrication, LiveDrive actuators simplify the drivetrain, delivering increased performance and lower total cost of ownership.

Watch the Genesis LiveDrive launch event

“We are thrilled to launch this leading-edge actuation technology, making it available to manufacturers and system integrators globally,” said Chris Di Lello, CEO of Genesis Robotics & Motion Technologies. “A simpler drivetrain empowers a better robot: faster to assemble and easier to maintain. This creates value for our customers and end users and represents a true breakthrough for the robotics and automation industries.”

Genesis designed its LiveDrive product line to produce the necessary torque by closely aligning the magnets in the motor and the stator windings, and to also dissipate the heat generated. The following illustration shows that there is no gear train hidden within the housing, nor does this actuator make use of a harmonic-drive style gear reduction.

Genesis LiveDrive LDD 1800 Series product specifications

 

• 100 Nm peak torque capability
• IP67 Raintight housing
• 4 Feedback options
• One cable technology (with Hiperface DSL)
• Integrated holding brake
• UL Registered
• Custom features for many applications

Genesis LiveDrive at the heart of the new Wyzo Sidebot

The LiveDrive actuator has been integrated into the Wyzo sidebot, a brainchild of Demaurex SA – the pioneer of the Delta robot, empowering the world’s first sidebot pick and place technology that can work safely alongside people.

“We’ve been searching for a solution for over a decade and LiveDrive is the missing link for our products,” said Frank Souyris, CEO of Wyzo. “This technology is a game-changer that makes a significant difference in our work and allows us to achieve a high level of performance and safety. The Genesis team is very committed and shares our values as we develop a new industry standard for delta robots – the Wyzo Sidebot”

A LiveDrive LDD 1800 Series actuator is less than half the length of a typical servo-gearhead drivetrain enabling greater utilization of machine workcells and factory floor space. LiveDrive’s washdown-ready IP67 enclosure – with its smooth surfaces and minimal collection points – allows for easy cleanup. Importantly, LiveDrive actuators do not require a gearbox, removing the risk of oil leakage or contamination. No gearbox means reduced downtime, inspection, and maintenance requirements.

LiveDrive’s direct-drive technology also eliminates backlash and improves system stiffness. Coupled with its higher torque-to-weight ratio, LiveDrive creates opportunities for robot and machine designers to improve performance in highly dynamic applications. LiveDrive, with its low inertia and fast stopping times, supports control system safety to meet Collaborative Robot Technical Specification ISO/TS 15066 and bring human-machine collaboration to new applications.

Genesis LiveDrive LDD 1800 Series Direct Drive Actuators are available with an extensive range of configurations and performance options. Standard models include four sizes, various voltage levels and support integration with third party servo drives.

Takeaways

Genesis Robotics borrows direct-drive from one of the most innovative industrial robots to ever hit the market: the legendary AdeptOne SCARA robot. The AdeptOne was the first direct-drive industrial robot to hit the market in 1984, and it powered the success of Adept Technology for over 20 years. Direct-drive actuators eliminate the one thing that make a robot difficult to design, control, manufacture and support: a gear train. For Adept this concept translated into high-speed, high-accuracy and long life.

For Genesis Robotics, the concept of using direct-drive to power a delta robot also enables high-speeds and long-life. But it also achieves a greater goal, that of oil-free operation, which is key to deploying these actuators into food handling and manufacturing operations.