7th Axis & Lifting Columns

Vention offers the largest variety of 7th axis range extenders to extend the reach of any UR robots. Select from standard designs for horizontal, vertical, overhead configurations, or create your own from our timing belt, ball screw, and rack pinion actuators. Sensors, motors, and motor drives are all included, and can all be controlled in a code-free environment directly from the UR pendant via our market-leading URCap. The enclosed actuator options for timing belt and ball screw eliminate pinch points in the system, simplifying the task of making the robot cell safe. With several hundred units deployed in the field, Vention's 7th axis solutions for UR are the ideal solution for extending the work envelope of the robot and maximizing project ROI.

With the so-called 7th axis as linear adjustment, the radius of action of robots is extended and thus they become much more flexible in their applications. The company igus has specialised in linear axes over the past years and with this experience has developed a ZLW-20 toothed belt axis, which is ideally suited as a wide low-profile linear axis. This enables us to make flexible use of robots instead of locking kinematics and to realize stroke lengths of up to 6000mm. It is possible to connect energy chains by means of a suitable adapter kit. You can get everything from one supplier of suitable energy chains for the UR robots, connecting cables or the 7th axis

Aruna Motion is a plug-and-play rotary stage for Universal Robots. Extend the reach of your cobot with a 7th axis that integrates with your existing programs. It has a built-in fixture plate and easy-to-use URCap to drive each position in the same way you set way-points for the cobot. There is no need for scripting or complex IO setups.

CTU - Cobot Transfer Unit is a plug and play 7th axis solution that increases UR robots productivity by extending their operating range over more than 5m stroke. All supported by Rollon's decades of experience in designing and manufacturing linear motion components that are according to the manufacturer globally recognized for their high quality, reliability and top performance. CTU features a stiff extruded aluminium profile with steel reinforced polyurethane belt drive. The carriage is supported by extremely rigid recirculating ball guides and can reach long strokes up to 5500mm – with extensions available on request. Rollon's CTU comes as a plug and play kit which can be installed and put into operation in few steps. It includes: an axis sized according to your robot model, Rollon URCap software with hardware included in the electrical cabinet, gearbox, motor, drive, proximity sensors and connection cables.

Discover the seamless integration and easy configuration of the D1200 lift column with UR robots. Ideal for palletizing and lifting robots on mobile platforms. D1200 lift column is a plug and play product suitable for UR cobots. It has compatible flange that allows easy integration and configuration through URCap software.

The Thomson Movotrak™ cobot transfer unit (CTU) is a true collaborative 7th axis for UR robots, featuring patent-pending collision detection settings and Freedrive mode for groundbreaking programming and control benefits. A plug-and-play system for quick and easy implementation into various robotic functions, this collaborative 7th axis adds a horizontal operating range up to 10 m to significantly boost productivity and output. The Thomson Movotrak CTU, which is compatible with the full range of UR cobots and offers flexible mounting options, features a dual-actuator design for maximum moment load and stiffness.

Experience exceptional performance with this hollow rotary actuator equipped with Oriental Motor's technology. The battery-less absolute sensor ensures precise control and accuracy, allowing you to tackle high-inertia drive tasks with ease. Say goodbye to limitations and embrace efficiency like never before.

The ECOSPHERE linear axis extends the working range of your robot. Whether you are working with a small UR3 or a larger UR20 robot. All robot sizes from UNIVERSAL ROBOTS are supported. The length of the linear axis can be configured to meet the unique requirements of each customer, with a maximum travel length of up to 5 meters. Thanks to the supplied URCap, integrating the linear axis into the UNIVERSAL ROBOTS user interface is a breeze. Thanks to a complete integration into the robots polyscope operating system, the ECOSPHERE linear axis can be controlled in the same intuitive way as the robot‘s movements themselves. This makes it easy to use and intuitive to operate. Furthermore, the URCap supports the simultaneous movement of the linear axis and the robot joints, allowing shorter cycle times and increased productivity. The linear axis and the associated control cabinet are delivered pre-assembled and can be commissioned in just a few steps (plug and play). Thanks to the absolute encoder, the linear axis still knows its position value even after a reboot. This means that in general no homing is necessary. With a maximum speed of over 1 m/s, the ECOSPHERE linear axis is ideal for time-critical applications.

Make your cobot palletizer faster and simpler. ELEVATE is an easy-to-use electric lifting column that extends the range of your cobot, where it is especially relevant – in height. Moreover, it delivers on both speed and flexibility to optimise your palletizer. The integrated controller combined with the ELEVATE URCap facilitates easy and quick integration into your system. It is directly connected to the cobot controller, with no need for an extra control box in between. Up to 100 mm/s speed independent of load and direction is implemented without compromising precision nor stability. Therefore, ELEVATE is the go-to lifting column to extend the reach of collaborative robots in material handling. ELEVATE is compatible with MyRobot.cloud, a digital twin simulation tool. Simulate and fine-tune your palletising project from anywhere, then upload the programme to your hardware when ready.The ELEVATE URcap can be found in the Pally palletising solution – an intuitive, no-code software.

Thanks to the external rotary axis, circular workpiece movements are possible. These are also often called slewing rings, rotary indexing tables or rotary tables, and allow continuous transport to various stations in a single work step. The radius of robot action is extended, making robots much more flexible in their applications. The rotary axis is driven electromechanically by a stepper motor via a gearbox with 48:1 transmission. You get everything from a single source: energy chains suitable for the UR robots, connection cables and the seventh axis or the rotary axis.

Move up to 4 Festo CMMP-AS/CMMT-AS/CMMT-ST motor controllers easily and code-free directly from the Universal Robots Teach Pendant, no need for other external components such as PLC/HMI. Powered by the Multi Axis Drive (MAD) URCap software.  Allows control of Festo linear axis up to 8 m length (standard product) or 10 m by request. Also works with Festo turning tables, automatic storage systems, conveyors, transfer tables.

The Liberty MDrive is an integrated motor/drive/controller. The Ethernet Interface created by Novanta IMS allows the UR Robot user to create multiple external axis' all coordinated by the UR Controller. This allows for linear axis, rotary axis, tool changers, and other auxiliary axis' such as pumps all to work in coordination with the co-bot. The Liberty MDrive is available in 3 NEMA frame sizes (17, 23, and 34) as well as 3 stack lengths (single, double and triple). The Novanta IMS open ended implementation of the UR cap allows the integrator or end user to create a specific robot cell with one or two tasks, or create a truly flexible co-bot environment.