Problem
During the course of the Corona pandemic, tests have become normal when an infection is suspected. BoKa Automatisierung GmbH, a young industrial service company based in Dorfprozelten, Germany, has developed a drive-in Corona testing station ("DriCoMaTe") to relieve medical personnel and protect them from infection. The six-axis robot arm, which distributes test tubes to test subjects and retrieves them again, required a gripper that would ensure smooth operation for a long time.
Solution
Thanks to the comparatively high speed at which components are manufactured using the SLS process, igus was able to present a prototype for the robot gripper in a very short time. iglidur i3, a high-performance polymer, proved to be a suitable material for the gripper, since it is wear-resistant, ensuring a long service life despite heavy usage. iglidur i3 is also attractive because of its self-lubricating properties, which mean a better hygienic standard for the test station.