Gudel on the move at Fabtech

From moving cobots to novel mobile automation solutions, Güdel Inc. highlighted two new technologies at FABTECH 2025. The equipment included the CoboMover, a 7th-axis linear track purpose-built for collaborative and lightweight robots. The CoboMover is designed to help integrators and end users expand the range of cobot and lightweight robot applications. 

Additionally, the company showcased an air-bearing track motion product. The modular track system was fitted with air bearings and used just 5 psi to levitate a track and a Fanuc robot, which weighed over 7,000 lbs., 1/2" above ground.

On display
The technologies can aid companies facing a labor shortage, said Brian Engelking, a senior account manager for Gudel. CoboMover solves work envelope challenges for cobots and small tabletop robots. It is designed to help integrators and end users expand the range of cobot and lightweight robot applications. 

"Our new CoboMover expands the working envelope of a robot. It allows you to save on labor. Instead of having a collaborative robot mounted in front of a single machine, you can now move on a 7th axis track and 10 multiple machines, saving on labor shortage in the long term."

The CoboMover extends the working range of robots up to 5 meters (16.4ft), allowing them to operate multiple workstations and perform a variety of tasks without manual repositioning. The new track is compatible with over 60 cobots and small traditional robots and offers mounting positions at 0° and 180°. The maximum payload, including robot weight, is 78 kg (172 lbs.) with a drive system utilizing a toothed belt and Güdel’s HPG045 angular gearbox. Available stroke lengths include 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 mm. The CoboMover has a maximum speed of 2 m/s and a maximum acceleration of 2 m/s², providing a repeatability of ± 0.05 mm.

Moving robots weighing tons — by hand 
With its reputation for robust robot track systems and heavy-payload gantries, Güdel continues to expand its range of solutions with a modular track system fitted with air bearings.

Using just 5 psi, the air bearing solution levitated the TMF-4B track and a Fanuc M900iB/280L robot - weighing over 7,000 lbs. - a 1/2" above ground, enabling it to easily float into and out of position on a cushion of air. The solution was initially developed for aircraft painting applications, eliminating the need for cranes, high-payload forklifts, AMRs or embedded rails.

"So, another product we're featuring today is our air bearing track motion product," he said. "This allows companies to move an RTU [robot transport unit] if they have confined space restrictions or have a low volume, high turnover part ratio. We developed a solution so the RTU is not fixed to the floor."

By turning the power off of the track motion product, the robot can be bolted to the floor to perform an operation. By powering the unit, it can then be moved. "We apply air, and this really only takes 5 PSI for it to move. And it can be moved with ease."