Bearings bring robot to life

Kaydon’s Reali-Slim thin section bearings, supplied through Italian partner, Magi, enable the rotation of various parts that make up the robot’s joints and keep it upright.

The Reali-Slim commonly used in iCub is a four-point bearing with small diameter, generally 25.4mm or 50.8mm (1 or 2 inches). Available in the UK from R. A. Rodriguez, compared with conventional radial bearings, the Reali-Slim bearings are more rigid and can absorb higher radial, axial and torque load. For applications that require even greater rigidity, pre-stressed bearings are supplied.