Hello, I am looking for a way to reduce the noise from the cabinet cooling fans.
When we release brake and power the motors, the cooling fans start spinning loudly and only calm when the brakes are applied again.
Is there a way to reduce that by software ? or hardware ?
Context :
- our robot moves approx. 2-3min every hour, at low speeds
- the cabinet is very quiet when drives are off and brakes engaged
- ambient temperature is approx. 20°C
Reduce cabinet noise / cooling fans
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Gnot -
March 27, 2025 at 1:04 PM -
Thread is Unresolved
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which brand/model...?
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no...
KSS 8.3 does not run on KRC5. that would need to be KSS 8.7.x
beware, replacing fans or changing vital system settings would be alteration that could void warranty.
temperature is a slow changing value and since robot is not moving fast or often, you may try different setting (this should be part of controller MADA). simply unplugging fans will likely not work as fans are monitored.
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What noise specifically do you need to reduce? Some of the KRC2s had an odd cavitation rumble that could be resolved by covering a specific vent with tape. IIRC, the more "official" fix was to have KUKA install lower-power fans. That required a written disclaimer that the KRC was no longer warranteed to operate in ambient temperatures higher than a certain degree.
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We are trying to reduce the loudness overall, so I guess slowing down the fans would work.
The loud fans seems to blow out through these 2 openings.
So a hardware fix seems the most likely ?
Do you think these fans are integrated in the cabinet enclosure or inside the controller itself ? -
Do you think these fans are integrated in the cabinet enclosure or inside the controller itself ?
I can't speak directly to the KRC5, but KRCs are typically double-walled and have an external air loop isolated from the internal air loop. Those exterior fans should be blowing through a heat sink that occupies the space between the inner and outer walls.
We are trying to reduce the loudness overall, so I guess slowing down the fans would work
You'd have to ask KUKA tech support if they support slowing or deactivating those fans.
Fans generate noise multiple ways, most of it airflow turbulence and actual motor noise. If the airflow noise is the problem, adding some ducting with baffles might be a solution. Motor noise might need sound-absorbing foam, but that's harder since the entire cabinet becomes an echo chamber of sorts for the motor noise.
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The brute-force solution would be to move the KRC out of the room and use longer cables. Or build a sound-baffling enclosure around the KRC. Which I would normally avoid, due to potential thermal issues, but your described use case might make it workable.
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you could check system settings for OuterFan and increase startFanTemp and maxFanTemp say by 5degC. i would not touch warnTemp or alarmTemp settings. for change to become active, colst start with reload file is required.
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