Robots have long been indispensable in industry. But small and medium-sized companies in particular are often faced with the question: How can a task be automated inexpensively with little effort? Since 2019, the RBTX marketplace powered by igus, which brings robotics suppliers and users together, has been offering simple and inexpensive solutions from 2981 euros – for example a pipetting robot with all accessories. RBTX is now also cooperating with Universal Robots, one of the world market leaders for industrial, collaborative lightweight robots.
Flexible automation solutions and fast integration as well as intuitive use – this is the common goal that the marketplace RBTX and the leading cobot manufacturer Universal Robots are pursuing with their robotics range. In order to use synergies effectively, the two companies announced the start of their partnership in Germany, Austria and Switzerland at the Motek 2022 in Stuttgart as part of the RBTX range from the plastics specialist igus. Via RBTX.com, the marketplace now cooperates with 70 companies that offer their robots, gripping systems, camera technology, conveyor belts, software and services on the online platform.
The advantage: RBTX gives a compatibility guarantee for the entire software and hardware range, so users can always be sure that all components work together. “With Universal Robots, we have now gained another well-known partner through whom we can expand the product range on RBTX.com for the first time – apart from igus’ own robot ReBeL – to include cobots,” says Alexander Mühlens, Head of the Automation Technology and Robotics Division at igus. “Universal Robots is not only a pioneer for cobots, but also pioneers when it comes to the intuitive programming of robots. This fits perfectly into the concept of our marketplace for low-cost automation solutions, which can be implemented quickly and easily without any prior knowledge. We are therefore very pleased that we were able to win Universal Robots as a partner.” There are already numerous accessories on the marketplace, such as the 7th robot axis from igus, which can be combined with the UR Cobots.
Lowering hurdles together
“Universal Robots offers easy-to-integrate automation solutions that enable customers to be more competitive and achieve a quick return on investment – this fits very well with RBTX’s approach,” says Andrea Alboni, General Manager Western Europe at Universal Robots. Alexander Mühlens adds: “As an open marketplace, we are always interested in new partners, because this way we can ultimately offer even more individual solutions via our platform. After all, we have a common goal: to make automation as accessible as possible.”
According to the “build or buy” principle, interested parties can find a ready-made robotic system at a fixed price on RBTX or can put together individual components for their own solution. Interested parties can also access the RBTXpert at any time on the marketplace – a remote integrator service for automation solutions with a fixed price. The RBTXpert checks the feasibility of the planned application together with the customer in a video chat (first hour free of charge) and shows the advantages of different kinematics. After the consultation, the customer receives an offer with a fixed price – always with the focus on finding the most cost-effective, functioning solution.
The RBTXpert also helps with commissioning. Everyone will find the right automation solution for their application and budget on RBTX.com – even without automation experience or programming knowledge. Thanks to the steadily growing partner network, RBTX offers customers an ever-expanding low-cost automation universe – with the common goal of