Dress Packs vs. Rotary Unions: Reducing Robotic Cable Fatigue

A dress pack protects utility lines as the robot arm moves, while a rotary union at the wrist (Axis 6) allows continuous rotation without twisting those lines. Using each component where it works best can reduce wear, prevent premature failures, and improve reliability.

How to Configure Utility Routing Safely

• Arm - Dress Pack: A dress pack organizes and protects vacuum, air, power, and Ethernet lines along the robot arm. It allows the lines to bend as the arm moves while helping protect them from damage.
• Wrist - Rotary Union: The robot wrist can rotate continuously, which can twist and wear utility lines. A rotary union allows the wrist to rotate while keeping the lines from twisting.
• Tool - Short Connections: Keep connections between the wrist and end-of-arm tooling short and direct. Less excess line means less movement, wear, and potential for failure.

Eliminating Cable Twist at the Tool Face

• The Challenge: Cables and hoses can twist together as the robot wrist rotates. Over time, this movement creates friction and wear that can lead to damaged lines and unplanned downtime.
• The Solution: A rotary union allows air, gas, or vacuum to pass through the rotating wrist without twisting the lines that run along the robot arm. This reduces stress on the utility lines and helps extend their service life.

DSTI's compact LT Series rotary unions can support up to 24 separate passages for air, gas, or vacuum. Electrical slip rings can also be integrated for power, signals, and Ethernet data. This combination provides a compact way to manage multiple utilities at the robot wrist.