Extremely strong, extremely manoeuvrable: Lifting solution from Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products - Pfaff-silberblau for omnidirectional platform KUKA omniMove

Positioning heavy loads with pin-point accuracy has always been a speciality of Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products, Kissing, with its products of the Pfaff-silberblau brand. Screw jacks from Pfaff-silberblau are now also being used in a powerful mobile transport system from KUKA Roboter GmbH. Thanks to its omnidirectional motion technology, the KUKA omniMove can move without any restrictions and transports payloads of up to 90 tonnes precisely into position. The lifting and stabilising of the load are taken care of by a lifting solution comprising worm gear screw jacks from Pfaff-silberblau, which have been developed by Columbus McKinnon expressly for this demanding application. Mobile heavy loads platform for bulky components The KUKA omniMove is primarily used in the production of aeroplanes, wind turbines and rail vehicles, in which extremely bulky and heavy components have to be transported and positioned. Thanks to its omnidirectionally running wheels, the vehicle ensures the unrestricted manoeuvrability of large loads in every direction and rotation around a full 360°. The mobile heavy loads platform can be freely navigated without reorientation of the wheels and steered by remote control in all directions. Lifting with technology from Pfaff-silberblau One of the various designs of the KUKA omniMove features an autonomous lifting mechanism for lifting loads of up to 90 tonnes. To implement this function, KUKA Robotics called in professional assistance from the absolute specialists for heavy lifting tasks. For the KUKA omniMove, Columbus McKinnon designed and constructed a special solution in accordance with the robot manufacturer's technical specifications based on the proven worm gear screw jacks of the SHE range from Pfaff-silberblau. Compact special solution for worm gear screw jacks Four to eight electric, synchronised screw jacks are used per carriage. Each of them is equipped with a motor, anti-turn device, lift limitation by means of two initiators, integrated guide system and absolute encoder. The latter ensure the synchronisation of the worm gear screw jacks using the customer's control unit for a uniform lift of max. 250 mm also when the vehicle is in motion. Increased operating reliability is ensured by safety nuts, which also offer a facility for monitoring wear. Each and every one of the Pfaff-silberblau lifting screws supports a dynamic load of up to 100 kN or a static load of up to 150 kN. For KUKA Robotics, it was essential to ensure that the lifting solution had an extremely low height and a compact design, as it had to be integrated into a very tight installation space in the heavy loads carriage. The compact worm gear screw jacks from Pfaff-silberblau easily satisfy this design requirement, for example by dispensing with external guides for the screw jack. This task is performed by a special guide pillar construction, which supports transverse and axial forces. "We are delighted to see our versatile Pfaff-silberblau worm gear screw jacks being deployed as a sophisticated lifting solution in one of the internationally successful products from KUKA Robotics", said Lutz Wächter, Managing Director of Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products GmbH. "Due to its special requirements, the design presented a real challenge. We are thus all the more delighted to have solved this so satisfactorily for our client." For more information on the KUKA omniMove please visit http://www.kuka-robotics.com/germany/en/products/mobility/mobile_platform_omnimove/start.htm or watch demo video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lHltWN_RgY. For more information on the lifting solutions from the Pfaff-silberblau brand please visit www.pfaff-silberblau.com. About the KUKA Roboter GmbH The KUKA Roboter GmbH, with its headquarters in Augsburg, is a member of the KUKA Aktiengesellschaft and ranks among the world’s leading suppliers of industrial robots. Core competencies are development, production and sale of industrial robots, controllers and software. The company is the market leader in Germany and Europe and the number three in the world. KUKA Roboter GmbH employs about 3640 people worldwide. In 2014, sales totaled 834,6 million Euro. 26 countries provide a presence in the major markets of Europe, America and Asia.

About Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products GmbH, Kissing/Germany, ranks with its brand Pfaff-silberblau amongst the technology leaders in components and system solutions for mechanical motion and lifting technology. The product portfolio ranges from high quality worm gear screw jacks to powerful lifting tables and rope winches. Based on these components, Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products also offers customer specific solutions for all kinds of applications. Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products GmbH, Kissing/Germany, is a company of the listed Columbus McKinnon Corporation (CMCO), Getzville/USA, a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products, systems and services. Worldwide, the corporation has more than 2,600 employees on 18 production sites in 7 countries and 52 additional sales offices. For more information about Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products and the brand Pfaff-silberblau please visit www.pfaff-silberblau.com.