Structural Profiles & Brackets | Rigid, Lightweight Frames

Structural Profiles and Brackets are essential factors of the design of robot systems, modular automation cells, and lab benches. T-slot aluminum profiles may be designed fast as flexible and light-weight structures which deliver flexibility to assemble long lasting structures which are easy to conform and construct. Precision CNC machined brackets provide a solid and accurate joint and fix at each connection, providing integrity in the overall stability and alignment of the system. Where additional strength is required, and reducing weight is beneficial, carbon fiber composites can work as advanced structural link elements for even better stiffness and conformance. Together, these materials and components allow robust, modular and scalable construction of robotic platforms, depending on the needs of a user in a range of industrial and research applications.

T-slot profiles offer significant mounting flexibility because they allow various components to be easily added and moved up and down each slot without having to drill new holes. 

• They offer modular assembly so you can easily add, remove or adjust parts. 
• The flexibility is valuable to allow for prototyping and customization in robotic frames and automation cells. 
• The profiles allow for secure, strong connections yet allow for the future adjustment of parts. 
• They allow for components like sensors, brackets and panels to be switched around without having to disassemble the frame and start from scratch. 
• T-slot systems can accommodate a large variety of accessories such as connectors, fasteners and linear position guides.  
• They typically will save on time and costs during assembly, as the parts are simpler to construct and reconfigure. 
• The profiles allow for modularity and scale, so you can easily add or subtract components to the robotic system. 
• They provide consistent levelness and structural integrity despite change after change.

Aluminum profiles and brackets are key components in creating a robot’s sturdy, modular, and accurate skeletal structure.

• Structural Strength: Aluminum structural profiles are the backbone supporting framework of the overall robot’s skeletal structure.
• Modular: T-slot aluminum profiles allow for easy assembly and re-configuration of the robot’s frame and the automation cell frame to be customized to the project.
• Accurate: Brackets that can be CNC machined, maintain the accurate joining of the profiles together at the joints and fixture points and consistently align the structural members for a rigid structure.
• Light and Strong: Aluminum has a great strength to weight ratio when selecting systematic materials that are primarily high strength, stiff, and weight efficient.
• Flexibility: The modularity allows for easy adjustments or extensions of the robotic or automation setup as the project scope shifts to match the needs of the project.
• High Advanced Materials: Carbon fiber composites tend to be an option as the structural link elements for higher stiffness and a lesser weight when building high-performance robots.
• Wide Variety of Applications: These profiles and brackets are found in a majority of industrial automation, research laboratories, and custom-built robotic applications. The profiles and brackets are consistent and reliable resources in these applications.

It is important to use precision CNC machined brackets at any structural and practical point in a robotic device in which structural tension and accurate positioning or alignment is important. They are often used within the following locations:

• Joint connection points: These are generally at joints of transferring components (along with servo fingers or linkages) that require alignment and repeatable actions.
• Load Bearing Corners: Within structural frames, CNC machined brackets are used to strengthen corners and joints with significant load, or where high vibrational forces will be induced.
• Actuator and Motor Mounts: Where rigid and aligned mounting points for motors, actuators, or gearboxes need to be established.
• Sensor and Tooling Interfaces: Where sensors, cameras or end-effectors need precision positioning so they can reliably operate, considerations might include:
• Fixture and Testing Rigs: If you are in a research or testing scenario, CNC brackets can help to keep the tolerances tight within a prototype assembly.

These brackets will reduce any potential for misalignment, reduce assembly errors, and maintain the level of mechanical accuracy necessary for high-level robotic systems.

• Designed for dynamic conditions: Maintain stability under dynamic mechanical loading.
• Custom engineered structural brackets: Unique shapes, mounting holes, and materials for specific applications.
• Precision cut structural profiles: Factory machined to your exact dimensions for straightforward use in modular assembly.
• In-house manufacturing: All our parts are produced and assembled following Norck Robotics strict quality assurance procedures.
• Resistant to wear: Surface treated finishes available for harsh industrial and outdoor applications.
• Modular: Facilitation rapid assembly and re-assembly of robotic and automation platforms.

Carbon fiber and other composite materials provide several advantages when applied as engineering materials for robotics applications:

• The Best Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Carbon fiber provides a lot of strength with far less weight than metals, like aluminum and steel, etc. Therefore, the weight of the entire robot is going to be less than that of a metal robot with the same rigidity. Less energy to move provides efficiencies even with Lighter carbon fiber compared to light weight metals.
• Improved Stiffness: Under load carbon fiber is resistant to bending or distortions, which means the critical linkages and arms will not lose their original shape throughout operation - critical for retaining accuracy of movement.
• Corrosion Resistance: Carbon fiber will not corrode like metals, making an ideal material for above ambient humidity levels, chemical environments or outdoors.
• Damping of mechanical vibration: Carbon fiber will absorb mechanical vibrations, which improve stability for sensitive sensors or tools mounted onto the robot.
• Thermal Stability: carbon fiber has good thermal stability over a large temperature range, with less thermal expansion, thus, allows consistent alignment and accuracy.

It is easy to understand why composite materials like carbon fiber provide benefits across complicated robotics applications requiring lightweight, high-speed, and high accuracy, especially in aerospace, medical, and research applications.