Motus Labs Geared Solutions | Robotics & Motion Control

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Motus Labs M-DRIVE ML1000 series

The new family of precision drives offers higher torque density than competing strain wave gearing with no compromise in performance. The unique patented design utilizes a series of cam-driven blocks that engage over 80% of the output ring surface area at all times. This design distributes load stresses over a much larger surface area, permitting the Motus M-DRIVE to deliver much higher torque per unit size and volume than competing strain wave drives.

DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Motus Labs identified an opportunity to disrupt the robotic drive market.

All articulated robots have multiple joints built with actuators – a combination of motors and gears, that control positioning and acceleration on various axes. The transmissions or gears are the most critical, differentiating and expensive component, yet still have performance limitations.

Critical part – High cost – Limited performance – all the makings for a breakthrough invention!

Robotic Drive Problem

A robot actuator must be strong, precise, and lightweight, resulting in a costly design.

Modern requirements

Strain wave and cycloidal designs are still using gear technology that has many limitations.

Today’s robots require high torque, high precision, low weight and a controlled rate of motion. Current gear solution designs need to meet these requirements and rely on expensive, special alloys and high-precision manufacturing processes.

Current drive technology hits its limits

Heavy – Problem compounded with each robot joint & increasing torque required.
Elastic – Limits speed and impacts motion planning
Not Efficient – Energy input wasted with friction and heat.
Expensive – Gear drive requires exacting special fabrication.

The Future with M-Drive

Just Imagine

We know the M-DRIVE can significantly impact the robotic industry due to the innovative design and all-around better efficiencies. Just imagine if the overall solution cost of building a robot could be cut up to 50%, yet it was stronger, more precise and lighter. Various industries would have the ability to use robots in more applications and bring them to market faster and cheaper.

Communications & Imaging

5G Networks
Satellite Tracking & Communications
Telescopes
Cinematography/Remote Control Heads/Slider motor

Automation/Motion Control

Motus M-DRIVE compact size and rigid long term reliability/long life provide key advantages in some of these verticals.

Servo Gearheads
Pick & Place Systems
Food & Beverage
Printing/Packaging
Textile & Paper
Machine Tools
Laser Welding/Fabrication

Agriculture

Agricultural robots automate slow, repetitive and dull tasks for farmers including:

Harvesting and picking
Weed control
Autonomous mowing, pruning, seeding, spraying and thinning
Sorting and packing

Medical

Medical Robots have diverse applications including:

X-Ray & Radiation Tables
MRI/PET Machines
Surgical robots
Telepresence robots for remote caregiving
Disinfectant robots
Blood-drawing/Medication delivery robots

Aerospace & Defense

Defense Robots are deployed by the military in combat scenarios. These robots enhance a soldier’s or sailor’s existing capabilities while keeping them out of harm’s way.

Satellites
UAVs
Antenna Positioning
Automated Weapons Targeting

Construction

Construction Robots have many uses:

3D printing of large structures
Bricklaying
Dual-arm heavy equipment for disaster relief
Climbing robots for inspection and construction.
Demolition

Robotics

Motus M-DRIVES precision gears offer zero-backlash and a lightweight compact design. Our M-DRIVE provides an alternative gear solution to robotic suppliers and manufacturers for Industrial Robots, Collaborative Robots, SCARA Robots, Service Robots, Gantry Robots, and Exoskeleton Systems.

Pick & Place

Logistics | Pick & Place Robots are the fastest growing service robot segment. There are multiple applications including:

Container loading/unloading
Stationary piece picking
Custom packaging

Inspection

Inspection Robots are equipped with cameras and are made to inspect tight spaces. They go everywhere you can’t (or won’t) go: into attics, under houses, inside ducts, down sewers and through culverts and pipes.

Motus Markets

A common challenge faced by the robotic suppliers is the high cost and limited performance of the actuators/gear drives.

Service & Collaborative Robots

A Service robot performs useful tasks outside the area of industrial automation such as agriculture, medical, logistics, construction & inspection.

The fast-growing, Cobot robot market builds smaller robots that often work alongside humans. The robots can ‘learn’ on the job and have other characteristics unique to working with humans.

Safety monitored stop
Hand guiding
Speed & separation monitoring
Power & force limiting

Industrial Robots

Traditional, large industrial articulated robots are more expensive to build and often replace humans.

Designed to perform repetitive work in place of human employees.
Used to automate the manufacturing process almost entirely without human help.
Require an engineer to write new code for any changes to the repetitive process.

Innovation in action

M-Drive Performance

New design results in higher torque density, zero backlash, superior torsional stiffness & positional accuracy

Lower Weight

The M-DRIVE design can be built with lighter materials such as aluminum or even plastic, resulting in dramatically lower weight actuators.

Higher Torsional Stiffness

The improved cohesion of mating surfaces eliminates the elasticity found in conventional drives that slow down and destabilize robots.

Lower Cost

The M-DRIVE design eliminates the need for special alloys and complex manufacturing processes, contributing to an overall cost reduction of a robot.

Higher Torque Density

Provides high torque with less weight, due to the M-DRIVE’s lighter materials.

High Precision/Zero Backlash

The unique design provides greater position accuracy, no hysteresis loss, and zero backlash.

Higher Efficiency

The M-DRIVE provides 20-30% higher power efficiency than competing strain wave gearing.

Are you interested?

Build What You Can Imagine! Join the Revolution in Motion

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