{"id":11300,"date":"2025-02-13T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sw.fst.com\/magazine\/?p=11300"},"modified":"2025-02-13T11:11:03","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T10:11:03","slug":"two-legged-robots-supporting-on-shopfloor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sw.fst.com\/magazine\/en\/2025\/02\/two-legged-robots-supporting-on-shopfloor\/","title":{"rendered":"Two-Legged Robots Supporting on Shopfloor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Today there is no way around the use of industrial robots in manufacturing. They work diligently, precisely and quickly. Some of them can even move enormous loads. In these ways, they are helping to accelerate and automate production processes. Or they are making a contribution to warehouse logistics. In the future, a new form of robot could begin making inroads in industry and even beyond it: humanoid robots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies considers humanoid robots to be a young but not unfamiliar field. \u201cOur expertise in the development of made-to-order solutions for classic industrial robots makes it easier for us to provide seals for humanoid robots that satisfy the machine\u2019s requirements all the way to its finger joints,\u201d said Gregg Goings, Global Segment Manager for New Business at Freudenberg\u2013NOK Sealing Technologies. Seals play a key role, especially in the built-in actuators that initiate the robots\u2019 movements. They must be extremely robust and long-lasting. Low-friction seal materials are also in demand. \u201cOur IPSR seal has these attributes,\u201d Goings said. \u201cDue to its characteristics, including its wear-resistant material, it provides outstanding protection against harmful environmental influences such as dust or the penetration of water.\u201d It also performs well in very small installation spaces and can compensate for both axial and tangential displacements. The IPSR seal is already being built into humanoids by a well-known international robot manufacturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The PSS seal from Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is also an option for humanoid robots. \u201cThanks to its remarkable qualities, it has long proven itself in the motors and gearboxes of industrial robots,\u201d Goings said. With its unique design, it seals reliably both externally and internally, preventing contamination. Due to its low friction, this long-lasting seal ensures that less of the robots\u2019 performance is lost over time. PTFE wafer seals from Freudenberg Sealing Technologies also exhibit outstanding results for friction reduction. In addition, these disk seals made of high-performance PTFE plastic are water-repellent and in demand in various industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Materials for Battery and Heat Management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Miniaturized solutions are a wide-ranging trend in the industry. In the case of humanoid robots, it relates to the batteries that provide the machines with power and that are mostly installed in the robot\u2019s thorax. But the batteries are not just expected to be more compact today \u2013 they should offer higher performance as well. But that tends to generate more heat, which is why the materials surrounding the batteries must be heat-resistant. Once again, thanks to its extensive material expertise, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has the right solutions in its portfolio. The company has recently developed a thermoplastic \u2013 Quantix\u00ae ULTRA \u2013 that can withstand temperatures as high as 1200\u00b0C (2192\u00b0F). This material is suitable for use in close proximity to electric-vehicle batteries since it meets the flame-retardant requirements for these environments. In the case of electric powertrains, the material is an option for the encasement of important electrically conductive rails known as busbars. They are also in demand for humanoid robots, although on a smaller scale. Freudenberg could offer package solutions in the battery area to help with heat management in these sensitive robots.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Ingress Protect Seal for Robots (IPSR) provides excellent protection against environmental hazards such as dust and water ingress due to the materials used.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have now visited several makers of humanoid robots and shared information with many of them at trade fairs,\u201d said Hunter Cheng, Global Segment Manager, with a focus on robotics, at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies. \u201cWhen we talk to them, we continue to see just how much these manufacturers are interested in our expertise in developing materials and designs.\u201d Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has a wide-ranging portfolio of products and designs that are a good fit for any application. \u201cWhen sealing products have to be tailor-made, we can do it,\u201d Cheng said. \u201cWe\u2019ve shown that often enough. Whether in the field of robotics or the manufacture of machinery and automobiles.\u201d The success of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is based on in-depth material research and development. In combination with its in-house test facilities, it is able to create solutions that are highly performing and innovative in equal measure<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Equipping Humanoids for Use in a Demanding Environment<\/h2>\n\n\n\nHumanoid cyborg produced by welding with robotic arms. \/ You can see the animation movie of this image from my iStock video portfolio. Video number: 1758324129<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
What makers of humanoid robots also have been looking for are seals that have a damping effect. They should reliably keep moisture out as well. \u201cBoth are the preconditions for the new class of robot to develop new areas of application,\u201d Cheng said. \u201cThe humanoids are not expected to work solely in factories and warehouses but in caregiving and outdoors in harsh weather and working conditions too.\u201d That means the seals in the highly sensitive joints, in particular, must be especially resistant to dirt and the penetration of moisture. In the future, it is conceivable that humanoid robots could be used in potentially hazardous environments such as mines. In that case, the seals themselves and the materials will have to be extraordinarily robust and durable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to boosting the potential of humanoid robots, it will be important to teach them quickly. So far this still is a tedious process. Cheng is convinced that machine learning can be accelerated with the use of electromagnetic rubber compounds for muscular movement, neural signal and even brainwave transmission. These have been widely applied in Asia for life science applications. If they were applied to the hands of the humanoids, they then could relay haptic signals that the robot could process. The signals then culminate in the right movement. With its material expertise, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies could provide valuable support in not only remote control but also an alternative way of machine learning which could be more intuitive and efficient than traditional programming and video shadowing. Cheng is confident about the opportunities. \u201cThese are still ideas. But we have such an extensive knowledge of materials that we could certainly move in the direction of electromagnetic materials,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With its already existing solutions such as ISPR, PSS, busbars and PTFE wafer shields, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is laying the foundation to expand humanoid robots\u2019 range of applications while increasing their safety, longevity and range of functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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In brief<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Machine learning: FST could use its materials expertise to support more intuitive and efficient machine learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Humanoid robots are a significant growth market. They are expected to be used not only in factories, but also in care and mining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Market growth: The global market for humanoid robots will grow to $66 billion (approximately \u20ac64 billion) by 2032.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Know-how: Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) is applying its expertise in industrial robotics to seals for humanoid robots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IPSR seal: This FST seal is particularly robust and protects against harmful environmental influences such as dust and water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PSS seal: Proven in engines and transmissions, this seal reduces power loss in robots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Battery and thermal management: FST offers thermal management solutions for humanoid robots, including Quantix\u00ae ULTRA thermoplastic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Humanoid robot manufacturers are very interested in FST’s expertise in material and design development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Applications: Humanoid robots are designed to work in a variety of environments including manufacturing, care and mining.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
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