Innovation RB3D strength assistance Cobot

Cetim and CEA-List joined their competencies in mechatronics in order to help RB3D to design a collaborative robot, eg. « COBOT ». Combining the intelligence and adaptability of man to the strength and resistance of robot, the "COBOT" designed by RB3D enhance human effort to assist them in the arduous and repetitive industrial tasks.

Strength assistance. Developed and manufactured by the company RB3D from its own technology and those of two Carnot institutes Cetim and CEA-List, the “COBOT" is a mechatronic arm dedicated to heavy industrial tasks such as grinding, sanding, chipping or handling. The operator manipulates the tool with the instrumented arm, "where the completion of an operation requires an effort of 20 kg, “COBOT” requires only an effort of a kilo, explains Serge Grygorowicz, President and Founder of RB3D ..  

A strength-dedicated robot. Recent developments in robotics now allow direct interaction "human-robot". Primarily developed for quick and easy programming, the interactive control functions of industrial robots, however, does not allow strength amplification. In addition, the inertia of these systems makes control difficult, with a significant impact on the feelings of the operator. To meet these challenges and performance in order to develop a new generation of industrial robots, CEA-List has provided its expertise in force feedback teleoperation, originally developed for the nuclear industry. They have participated in the design of a collaborative robot, or "COBOT" dedicated to strength generation. An intuitive control mode, built-into the ”cobot” amplifies the power of the operator by a factor set from 1 to 50, using a single strength sensor. The operator keeps quantitative information of the progress of the task by an adjustable force feedback. The apparent inertia and other imperfections may be felt by the operator (eg friction) are also greatly reduced by the introduction of the amplification factor. Cetim contributed to the project by organizing the process around mechatronics design. An important support, via the best field experts, was provided to ensure the final product compliance with European directives, both in terms of methodological and technical support process and assistance to get CE certification  

Mechatronics, serving mankind.. The "COBOT," which includes a strong software part, perfectly fits to the "mechatronics" strategy of RB3D. The SME has indeed an important asset, "being a young company has allowed us to start with employees who all have training in mechatronics," said Serge Grygorowicz. "The mechatronic integration, which then comes easy, allows us to develop intelligent tools, adapted to the industry needs. Main targets are to provide power and endurance to people in their movements while limiting the risk of MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders) at work.

  About the CEA. The Atomic Energy Commission and alternative energy (CEA) is a public technological research center. Recognized for excellence in basic research, it covers four major areas: low-carbon energy, defense and global security, technologies for information and health technologies. Major player in the European Research Area and internationally recognized as an expert in its areas of expertise, the CEA is involved in the development of collaborative projects with many partners around the world. More information on the CEA website: http://www.cea.fr/ Within the Directorate for Technological Research, the institute CEA-List is conducting research on intelligent digital systems. By developing advanced technologies, CEA-List is contributing to the industrial competitiveness of its partners through innovation and technology transfer (www-list.cea.fr).

About Cetim:. At the crossroads of research and industry, Cetim (Technical Centre for Engineering Industries) is the french center of mechanical expertise. CETIM is the R & D center for more than 7500 mechanical companies. It has 700 people, (amongst half of them are engineers and technicians), and € 100 million in revenue. It multiplies its work with a network of scientific and technical partners. Cetim ensures a strong presence close to its domestic customers. Its industrial intervention capabilities are internationally extended, particularly in the francophone regions. Piloting a number of innovative projects leads CETIM to federate major industrial or R&D multipartner projects on the following main areas: design, simulation, testing, manufacturing processes and materials, mechatronics, control and measurement, sustainable development, management and SME support. Besides the big specialized players, Cetim offers a comprehensive and multidisciplinary work to turn scientific knowledge into industrial applications. http://www.cetim.fr/.

About RB3D: Dedicated to mechatronics, the company RB3D specializes in the design and manufacture of intelligent tools. Winner of national competition for aid to the creation of innovative technology companies in 2001, the year of its launch, RB3D has won several awards for innovation in Burgundy. SME, which now has 12 people, spends 20% of its turnover on R & D. Through the network it has built, RB3D has launched several research collaborations with research organizations such as the CEA LIST and Cetim.

Media contacts :

CEA : Coline Verneau - Tél : +33 1 64 50 14 88 - Email : coline.verneau@cea.fr

Cetim : Naïma Pinguet - Tél : +33 6 66 21 91 59 – Email : naima.pinguet@lesquadrants.com

RB3D : Olivier BAUDET - Tél : +33 3 86 49 55 57 - Email : olivier.baudet@rb3d.com