Transport

Packaging

The ROX mobile robot is supplied in a sturdy wooden crate that can also be used for subsequent transportation. If the original crate can no longer be used, for example due to superstructures and extensions, it is recommended that a new, appropriately sized crate is built.

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The base of the transport box consists of a standard Euro pallet (1) with the dimensions 1200 mm x 800 mm x 144 mm. It can therefore be transported and moved using any standard industrial fork lift with a corresponding load capacity.

A base plate (2) is placed on the pallet, on which the robot is fixed during transportation.

The side walls and lid (3) of the transport box are not connected to the robot and are designed in such a way that they can be dismantled with little effort. The end walls (4) are attached to the base plate by hinges and remain attached to the box during loading and unloading. The long side walls (5) can be removed from the base plate by sliding them.

To prevent dust and dirt from entering the robot, the maintenance flap must be closed before transportation and all external plug connections must be plugged together or sealed with suitable protective caps.

Note

Depending on the buffer material used, it may be advisable to remove the key switch and transport it separately to prevent damage to the lock. You can find more information on this topic at Operating Elements.

Unpacking the Robot

Unpacking the robot takes up some space. You should therefore leave at least two meters of space around the transport box and at least four meters in front of the side marked “Ramp”. Unpacking should also take place on level ground.

The following tools are required to unpack the robot:

  • Safety knife
  • Allen key 5 mm
  • Cordless screwdriver with Torx T20 bit

Proceed as follows to remove the robot from the transport box:

  1. First unscrew the four screws (6) on the cover, take it off and set it aside.

  2. Remove the ramp wedges (7), which are attached to the inside of both end walls, by pulling the split pin on the fastening bolt. They will later serve as a base for the ramp. The bolts and cotter pins must not be refitted, but should be kept for later shipment with the transport box.

  3. Unscrew both screws (8) on the end walls and fold these walls down until they rest on the floor.

  4. Lift the end wall marked “Ramp” slightly and place the ramp wedges about halfway underneath it, as shown in the following illustration. Ensure that the higher end of the wedge points towards the transport box and that the corresponding dowel in the ramp wedge is inserted into the screw hole in the front wall.

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  5. Now place the lid of the box on the ramp wedges so that it is flush with the end wall and forms a continuous ramp. Make sure that the dowels are properly seated in the screw holes of the cover.

  6. Remove the side panels from the base plate by sliding them a short distance lengthways and then lifting them off. The direction is marked on the inside.

  7. Remove the protective film surrounding the robot. Do not use sharp objects to open the film.

  8. You can now remove the straps (9) that hold the robot on the base plate. These are either white disposable straps, which can be cut with the safety knife, or reusable colored straps. These can be released using the buckle.

    Attention

    Be careful when loosening the straps and only cut where injury and damage to the robot can be ruled out.

  9. If the robot is also fixed to the base plate with wooden strips (10), these must also be removed. To do this, simply remove the screws that connect the strips to the base plate.

  10. If the batteries were shipped separately, they must now be inserted and connected to the robot.

  11. You can now start up the robot.

  12. Slowly drive the robot down the ramp and onto the floor. When moving the robot with the wireless joystick, exercise extreme caution and attention, as the drives react very sensitively to the movement of the joysticks. The speed can be temporarily reduced by pressing the creep speed button.

Moving the Robot in the Event of an Error

If the robot is in an error state and can no longer be moved by its own drives, it can be moved as follows:

  • Provided the robot’s charge level is high enough and the robot is switched on, you should first try to push the robot manually by pressing the Brake Release Button.
  • If the robot cannot be moved, it should be transported using a workshop trolley or a pallet. There are two ways to lift the robot onto a pallet or workshop trolley.

Lifting the Robot by Hand

The robot can be gripped and lifted by at least two people at the designated points (green markings in the following image). It is also advisable to get another person to help pull the pallet away after lifting or to push a transport trolley under the robot.

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Attention

  • When lifting the robot, always observe the general principles of ergonomic working and wear appropriate protective clothing, especially safety shoes, to avoid injuries. If you have any questions, please contact the person responsible for occupational safety in your company.
  • The robot must never be lifted by the sensors or other sensitive parts. These are not designed for such a load and can break off, which can lead to injuries and damage.

Lifting the Robot With a Crane

As an option, the robot can be equipped with strap lugs that allow it to be lifted by a workshop crane. The lugs are firmly mounted to the upper aluminum frame of the base platform and concealed behind the upper white plastic cover. Please unscrew the corresponding cover parts to gain access to the strap lugs. The enclosed tensioning straps can then be pulled through the lugs and hooked into the workshop crane above the robot.

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Warning

  • Make sure that the load capacity of the crane is greater than the load to be lifted. Overloading the crane can cause the robot to fall and result in serious injury.
  • If a robot is equipped with the strap lugs ex works, these are positioned in such a way that the robot does not tip over when being lifted. If changes are subsequently made to the robot, stability during lifting can no longer be guaranteed. The positioning of the lugs must be checked again and adjusted if necessary.

Moving the Robot on a Cart or Pallet

Always secure the robot when it is placed on a transport trolley or pallet to prevent it from sliding down during transportation.

Attention

When you park the trolley, make sure that the brakes of the trolley have been applied. In addition, never park the trolley on a sloping surface.

Shipping the Robot in the Neobotix Transport Box

If the robot is shipped again, it must be adequately secured in the transport box. The following general recommendations apply for positioning and securing the robot:

  • Always transport the robot standing on all wheels. If you wish to jack up the robot, please contact Neobotix beforehand.
  • Position and fix the robot centrally on the base plate so that no contact with an external wall is possible. Contact Neobotix if you need a larger transport box, for example because the dimensions of the robot have increased due to additional attachments.
  • Use the holes in the base plate to fix the robot in place with the help of tensioning straps. When tightening the straps, make sure that
    • the belt runs over the robot for the shortest possible distance, thus preventing the belt from loosening during transportation,
    • no sensitive components are damaged by the belt,
    • the belt runs as perpendicular as possible to the base plate, so that the robot is better supported against lateral displacement,
    • you use a cardboard or similar as a protection between the robot and the tensioning belt to avoid scratches.
  • Also ensure that the center of gravity is as low and central as possible to reduce the tendency of the transport box to tip over. Heavy dismantled components should be fixed as low as possible, ideally directly on the base plate.
  • Secure loose objects such as the controller, battery pack, charger, charging station etc. against slipping with sufficiently strong straps or other measures and, if necessary, pack them in a cardboard box.

Note

The transport box should be marked on the outside with the following information (see DIN EN ISO 780:2021):

fragile “Fragile – Handle with care”
do-not-stack “Do not stack”

Transport With AGM Batteries

If the key has been removed, there is no risk of the robot switching itself on or the batteries being discharged during transportation.

Note

Before transportation by air freight, it is nevertheless advisable to electrically disconnect the batteries from the robot to eliminate any risk. The batteries themselves are leak-proof encapsulated and approved for transportation by air freight. The relevant documents can be found in your download area or can be obtained from Neobotix on request.

Transport With LiFePO4 Batteries

Due to the applicable safety regulations, all transports of lithium-based batteries must meet the corresponding requirements.

Please contact Neobotix if you are planning to transport a robot with a LiFePO4 battery.