A manipulator, such as a multiaxial industrial robot (1), particularly for
use in contamination-endangered environments, is provided with a
plurality of scavenging areas (1.8a, 1.8b) to which a scavenging medium
can be supplied and located in the vicinity of the drive unit of the
manipulator, characterized in that according to the invention a plurality
of groups of drive units has in each case its own scavenging area (1.8a,
1.8b) associated with it. Thus, the invention creates a method for
influencing at least one ambient condition, such as temperature,
humidity, pressure, contamination and/or bacterial presence, in the
vicinity of the drive units of a manipulator. This reliably ensures a
safe operation of the inventive manipulator (1), even in areas with
strict hygiene requirements.
