FANUC Robotics Demonstrates High-Speed Picking and Packing with M-420iA Intelligent Robot at Pack Expo
ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Oct. 29, 2006 - FANUC Robotics America, Inc. will
demonstrate the speed and flexibility of its M-420iA robot during Pack Expo, at
McCormick Center, Chicago, Oct. 29-Nov. 2, booth #N4643.
At the show, the M-420iA robot, equipped with FANUC's V-500iA/2DV vision sensor will
demonstrate the advantages of using visual line tracking to pick and pack randomly
placed cereal boxes at high speeds. Visual line tracking provides the flexibility to handle multiple products on the same automation line, eliminating the need for costly fixtures, and reducing changeover time.
"Intelligent robots with vision help maximize flexibility and speed, allowing companies to achieve their production goals," said L.P. Musunur, manager of palletizing and packaging at FANUC Robotics. "Vision significantly reduces the cost of fixturing and collating, and allows customers to quickly change over to a new product. In the last two years, many of our orders have specified vision."
To date, over 3,800 FANUC robots are installed in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical
and medical device industries, making FANUC Robotics the leading supplier of picking,
packing and palletizing robots. "We also have the industry's most diverse range of
system capabilities provided by FANUC Robotics directly, or by our team of expert
system integrators," said Musunur.
The M-420iA robot
The M-420iA is a four-axis, modular construction, electric servo-driven robot with a 40
kg payload and a remote control unit. The M-420iA is designed for a variety of highspeed manufacturing applications including picking, packing, palletizing, material
handling, machine load/unload and parts transfer. FANUC Robotics also offers the M-
421iA, a two-axis variant of the M-420iA. The waist and wrist axes have been removed,
making the M-421iA faster and able to handle payloads as high as 50 kg.
In addition, the M-420iA Food Grade robot offers four-axis motion for high-speed
picking and packing applications. Suitable for secondary (packaged) food products, the
robot's design prevents moisture retention to resist bacteria growth and rust. Food
grade grease, enclosed cables, and USDA-certifiable parts help reduce maintenance
requirements. In addition, the M-420iA, treated with epoxy paint, is rated IP65 for wipe down and low pressure rinse with water and sanitizers.
The M-420iA and M-421iA offer the fastest motion speeds in their class, which results in reduced cycle time and improved productivity. The demonstration will highlight the
robots' high speeds, increased flexibility, and cell control compared to typical packaging machinery.
"These robots can reach speeds significantly faster than previous-generation packaging
robots," said Musunur.
The M-420iA's small footprint also allows it to easily replace small end-of-the-line
palletizers in high-production changeover industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics,
and medical devices with flexibility unmatched by non-robotic machinery.
With the four-axis M-420iA, up to two motors for servo conveyors or servo hand
operations can be connected to the FANUC standard servo amplifier. The two-axis M-
421iA can have four additional motors. Integrating the additional auxiliary servomotors
can help simplify the cell by utilizing one controller to run the complete cell. It will also help to reduce system costs by eliminating the need for extra servo control
hardware/software.
The M-420iA and M-421iA robots use the new R-J3iC robot controller, which offers
high-performance hardware and the latest advances in network, integrated vision, and
motion control functions, providing a level of intelligence never offered before.
The M-420iA and M-421iA are available with several options that provide intelligence to
the robot including PalletPROTM off-line palletizing simulation software, a plug-in to
ROBOGUIDE off-line programming simulation software, 2-D and 3-D vision sensors,
force sensors, line tracking and collision detection.
FANUC Robotics America, Inc. designs, engineers and manufactures industrial robots
and robotic systems for a wide range of applications including arc and spot welding,
material handling (machine tending, picking, packing, palletizing), material removal,
assembly, paint finishing and dispensing. The company also provides application specific
software, controls, vision products, and complete support services. After 24
years of success, FANUC Robotics maintains its position as the leading robotics
company in the Americas. A subsidiary of FANUC LTD in Japan, the company has
facilities in Chicago; Los Angeles; Charlotte, N.C.; Cincinnati and Toledo, Ohio; Toronto; Montreal; Aguascalientes, Mexico; and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Over 160,000 FANUC
robots are installed worldwide. Contact FANUC Robotics at www.fanucrobotics.com or
by calling 800-47-ROBOT.
Contacts:
Cathy Powell
Sr. Marketing Analyst
FANUC Robotics
Phone: (248) 377-7570
cathy.powell@fanucrobotics.com
