'We also supply our robots without a control unit, customers are surprised at the benefits'

 "Every day we support our customers to future-proof production as easily as possible. This means that customers can use their own knowledge to deploy our robotics modularly and quickly. The easy programming of robot arms is a great example of this, for example via your own well-known PLC and not traditionally via the robot controller. The partners in our range make this possible," says Paul Nuijten, sales director of Robotics Benelux from Geldermalsen.

Robotics Benelux was founded in 2016 and has grown into a successful company that supports machine builders, system integrators and end users with high-quality robotic arms, delta robots, tracks and portals. "We are distributors of three A-brands: Comau Robotics, Lucas Tracks and Autonox Robotics. Comau has been supplying robotic arms to the automotive and aerospace industries since 1960. About seven years ago, the company decided to significantly expand the robot range to make it available to many more industries. To serve customers worldwide, a distributor network was established. This was the moment for us to become a distributor for Comau and to start Robotics Benelux."

Why a robot language?

Comau works closely with four software companies: Siemens, B&R, Keba and Rockwell. "It is possible to use these parties' software to control the robot from the PLC." Nuijten explains this with an example: "Suppose your entire production environment is running on Siemens software and you want to expand your machine park with a robot arm from Comau. Then it is possible to get full control over the robot arm via your own PLC. So you don't have to buy a robot with a control unit, just the mechanical arm. This gives the customer maximum freedom in his software and design."

Raising awareness of the market

"Many machine builders don't know that this approach is possible," Nuijten continues. "Most of the customers we explain to how simple programming can be are hearing this for the first time. Programming robotic arms does not have to be complicated; people are pleasantly surprised every time they learn about these possibilities. There really is a job for us here, to make the market aware of this! You take a link out of the process and accuracy also increases."

Maximize work area

In addition to Comau, Robotics Benelux represents the systems of Lucas. This French family business from Bordeaux produces high-quality tracks and gantries. "The range fits nicely with Comau's robot portfolio. The working area of the robots can easily be expanded with it. The linear tracks are integrated into the robot's controller, making robot and track act as one. This allows the user to fully utilize the precision and capacity of the robot over a maximum work area." The Lucas systems are modular and easy to configure and can be up to 100 meters long.

Independent

"A third brand to complete our program of industrial robots is Autonox," says Nuijten. "It supplies robot arms and delta pickers without motors and control units. In this way, it goes one step further than Comau and leaves users completely free to choose which software they want to work with. The Autonox approach fits perfectly with our philosophy of offering maximum design freedom. The customer is no longer dependent on the software of the robot manufacturer."

"We are fortunately seeing the robot world slowly moving forward, with machine builders able to make more brand-independent choices. That's great to see."