Individual harvesting robot for strawberries: build or buy your robot

About the application:

AINAC Systems Co. is currently developing an automatic strawberry harvesting system. For this purpose, a simple robot arm is specially developed which can pick strawberries with 3 axes (horizontal, vertical and rotation) without using an expensive articulated arm robot. Lubrication-free igus materials and modular gearboxes from the Apiro gearbox modular system are used for the main part of the robot structure.

The problem

The challenge in this application is to be able to work without problems in the humid environment of a plastic house, with water, mud and high humidity. The company had opted for plastic components in order to keep the weight of the Ernet robot as low as possible.

The solution:

For the construction of the harvesting robot, the company had initially considered worm gear units from other manufacturers. However, after receiving an Apiro sample box, Mr. Shigenori Inami was convinced that the Apiro modular gearboxes met his exact requirements.
The arm pivot bearings of the steering axle consist of the lubrication-free iglidur J2 material. Apiro gearboxes with optional shaft were used for the reduction gearbox for the wheel drive, steering and arm swing.
The horizontal and vertical arm movement mechanism consists of a drylin W double rail WSQ and a pillow block bearing.
With the igus modular system, the company AINAC Systems can build a custom, weather-resistant robot solution that is durable and safe despite low costs.