FANUC Robotics Demonstrates Intelligent Assembly with Coordinated Motion at IMTS 2006
ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., September 6, 2006 -- FANUC Robotics America,
Inc. will demonstrate the assembly of a heavy-duty off-road vehicle "H" frame
using a variety of intelligent robots and the new R-J3iC Controller during IMTS
2006 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Sept. 6-13, booth #8418.
At the show, a FANUC M-900iA/600 robot equipped with the iRVision 2D vision
sensor locates and picks up the "H" frame and transfers the part to a dual-arm M-
710iC/70T Toploader robot. The new M-710iC/70T presents the frame to quadconfigured
ARC Mate 100iBe arc welding robots and serves as a positioner for a
coordinated welding simulation sequence. The dual-arm M-710iC/70T then
hands off the frame to the M-900iA/600, which also serves as a positioner for two
F-200iB parallel link robots that demonstrate a coordinated material removal
simulation.
All FANUC robots use the new R-J3iC Controller. The new R-J3iC Controller
uses high-performance hardware and the latest advances in network, integrated
iRvision, and motion control functions, providing a level of intelligence never
offered before, including the ability to control 40 axes with one controller (4
robots plus other equipment).
iRVision
FANUC Robotics' new iRVision(TM), is an easy to use, integrated robot vision
option for the new FANUC R-J3iC Controller. The iRVision System is the
company's first built-in vision package that is available on all R-J3iC Controllers,
providing customers a single source for robot guidance or process feedback.
The FANUC iRVision system is a ready-to-use robotic vision package, requiring
only a camera and cable - no additional processing hardware. It has a 2D robot
guidance tool to accomplish part location, error proofing, and other operations
that normally require special sensors or custom fixtures.
The new intelligent robot controller's motion enhancements shorten cycle times,
reduce programming time, increase speed, and improve accuracy for multi-arm
coordinated motion. The R-J3iC offers customers the ability to control four
robots in a coordinated fashion within the same work zone from one controller.
The R-J3iC also offers the ability to control multiple robots in a coordinated
fashion with multiple processes in multiple controllers. These systems with
multiple robots in a compact work cell maximize reach capabilities, reduce tooling
costs, increase productivity, and enhance manufacturing process flexibility.
Controlling multiple arms with the R-J3iC can reduce system safety interlock and
cell integration hardware costs. The modular and compact packaging of the
R-J3iC multi-arm controller also helps reduce hardware costs and floor space
requirements.
Flexible programming of the R-J3iC multi-arm controller enables independent
motion, simultaneous motion, and coordinated motion to meet the needs of
various material handling and material joining applications. Interference
avoidance is essential in a multi-arm working environment, especially when
multiple robots are operating independently. The R-J3iC offers the capability to
avoid collisions in multiple robot applications.
To maximize production throughput, multiple robots may be programmed to
perform independent tasks. These tasks can be executed all at once or multiple
robots may be synchronized at specific programmed locations. When specific
robots are required to start and complete motion at the same time, simultaneous
motion with a single program may be used.
"Multiple robots operating in parallel to process multiple parts or different sections
of the same part maximizes robot utilization and increases production
throughput," said Jason Tsai, general manager, motion and applications product
development, FANUC Robotics.
Coordinated motion can be used when multiple handling robots are required to
carry the same part. This significantly increases the payload carrying capacity,
enabling applications never before possible with electric robots. Multiple arms
could effectively function as a flexible load/unload device.
"In a welding cell, for example, multi-arm control allows customers to achieve
maximum utilization of their robots. Using one or two robots for material handling
while other robots perform welding maximizes flexibility," said Tsai. "By simply
changing the end-of-arm-tooling (EOAT) on the material handling robots, a wide
variety of parts can be welded within a single work cell."
New -M-710iC/70T Toploader Intelligent Robot
The M-710iC/70T Toploader is FANUC Robotics' latest articulated gantry robot.
The new robot is an ideal solution for medium to large machine tending and
material handling operations.
With a wide selection of rail lengths, a payload range of 10 to 200 kg, and reach
of 1.5 to 2.2 meters, the Toploader series meets virtually any application need.
FANUC Robotics offers the most versatile line of robots in this class.
"A combination of benefits makes the Toploader series the perfect solution for
machine tool load/unload and injection molding machine extraction," said Ian Orr,
product manager for FANUC Robotics. "Compared to traditional linear gantry
robots, our Toploaders reduce floor space and ceiling height requirements.
They also provide six-axis dexterity to perform value-added post-processing
operations such as degating, deflashing, labeling, quality assurance, packaging
and palletizing."
The M-710iC/70T robot has a 70 kg payload and 1,900 mm reach and can be
ordered in either an underslung or sideslung configuration. The underslung
configuration suspends the robot arm underneath the rail structure and offers a
symmetrical work envelope on both sides of the rail while the sideslung
configuration suspends the robot arm off the side of the rail structure and allows
for maximum vertical reach and maximum stroke. The sideslung configuration is
the only viable configuration when using a Toploader robot to tend a press such
as an injection molding or die-cast machine. Customers can choose the
configuration based on the needs of a specific application.
Other key features and benefits of the Toploader series include:
All FANUC Toploaders are standard products and come complete with full
product documentation, standard software and 24-hour Hotline support. The
gantry structures are designed, tested and supported by FANUC Robotics as
part of the standard product.
o Toploaders use the same industry-leading motion software as FANUC
pedestal robots - new features and updates are automatically supported with
minimal or no tuning required.
o The overhead configuration of all Toploader robots removes the robot from
the factory floor, allowing users to optimize machine placement, product flow
and waste removal of chips and other debris in machining operations.
o A modular rail design allows users to select standard rail travels in increments
from 2.4 meters to 45 meters. A modular column design gives users similar
flexibility to specify rail height and column location along the rail. A unique
adjustable column design lets users fine tune the rail height at installation or
to account for irregularities in the plant floor.
o Dual-arm (two robots sharing the same rail) configuration available to
accommodate heavy parts.
o Dynamic Space Check allows real-time interference avoidance at very high
motion speeds. In addition, Synchronous Motion Stop Control allows
simultaneous motion stop for all Toploaders on the same rail.
The Toploader robots are targeted at machine tool load/unload, injection molding
machine load/unload and process applications such as die spray and dispensing.
Since their introduction, they have also been used for numerous arc welding,
painting, palletizing/de-palletizing and dispensing applications.
ARC Mate 100iBe Solution Arm
The ARC Mate 100iBe Solution Arm is a six-axis intelligent robot, which provides
a cost-effective solution for welding parts of all sizes and configurations. Its
compact size helps maximize reach in confined areas, allowing manufacturers to
install multiple robots in close proximity, and save valuable floor space. Its size
also allows the robot to access parts in tight locations without compromising
torch angles or weld quality. The unique design provides increased arc density
because the torch cable does not interfere with other robots or tooling as in a
traditional torch dress-out. Improved arc density helps reduce capitol costs.
FANUC Robotics' ROBOGUIDE WeldPRO simulation package easily models the
Solution Arm dress-out, and downloads programs to the robot, which run without
touch-up. The company's exclusive torch cable design is inherently robust,
capable of 500 amp capacity, and is simply air cooled.
Using the patent-pending RobotCAL calibration software, which improves path
performance, FANUC robots have absolute positional information of each other,
improving arm-to-arm collision avoidance and coordinated motion.
"The RobotCAL package eliminates human error while being a cost-effective
solution when compared to third-party lasers, positional detectors or external
sensors," said Mike Sharpe, FANUC Robotics' manager of materials joining.
"This is possible since the ARC Mate has a simple touch-plate and a built-in
touch sensing circuit.
"Another product that differentiates FANUC Robotics from the competition is
ArcLink XT(TM), a flexible and powerful welding network that allows us to control up
to four welding power supplies with one R-J3iC Controller," said Sharpe.
ArcLink XT(TM) is the next generation in arc welding network communications
offering improved performance over existing welding communication methods.
The connection to the welder is over the standard R-J3iC Ethernet connection.
"The control of four robot arms and four independent welding power supplies with
one CPU and teach pendant has been unheard of in the industry until now.
FANUC Robotics, together with Lincoln Electric offers this dynamic and costeffective
intelligent welding package," said Sharpe.
According to Sharpe, the ArcLink XT(TM) software is fully integrated with the
Lincoln Electric Integra power supply and the robot control cabinet, offering full
waveform control and 350-ampere capacity in a symbiotic package. "Place,
power and weld; it is that simple for clients to start production with this integrated
welding package."
"This cost-effective robot is powerful, reliable and offers excellent value, while
the R-J3iC offers extensive expandability," said Sharpe. "All users from Large
Tier suppliers to smaller shops will find the ARC Mate 100iBe Solution Arm an
attractive and low cost alternative to labor intensive arc welding."
Benefits of the new ARC Mate 100iBe include:
o Best in class reach versus stroke ratio
o Compact design simplifies installation and transportation of system
o Provides high throughput
o Allows operation in tight work spaces
o Lower operation and installation costs
M-900iA/600 Intelligent Robot
The M-900iA/600 is an ultra heavy-duty material handling robot with a 2.83 meter
horizontal reach and a 700 kg payload capacity. The M-900iA/600 is capable of
handling very large and heavy parts such as sand core packages, engines,
powertrain components, large vehicle frames, various castings, molded parts,
glass, and building materials in a variety of applications including machine
tending, part transfer and other handling processes.
"The impressive 600 kg payload of the M-900iA/600 creates opportunities in
application areas where robots have never been applied," said Orr. "The M-
900iA/600 will help reduce manual labor costs and diminish the need for
expensive fixed and custom automation equipment like gantries, hydraulics,
chains and saddle devices."
Featuring a modular construction, the electric, servo-driven M-900iA/600
provides precise, high-speed operation and easy installation. The M-900iA/600
meets the needs of an increasing number of customers that require maximum
reach and lifting power. The robot offers substantial improvements in wrist
capacity (250% increase in wrist moment and a 430% increase in wrist inertia)
compared to its predecessor.
Like the M-900iA/350 and M-900iA/260 Long Arm, the 700 kg robot offers "best
in class" wrist capacity and axis speed, providing manufacturers maximum
flexibility for tool design and part handling. The M-900iA/600 also offers an
optional IP66/67 harsh environment protection package. In addition, the
M-900iA/600 robot's small footprint helps reduce floor space requirements.
F-200iB Parallel Link Robot
Designed for use in a variety of manufacturing and automotive assembly
processes, the powerful and compact F-200iB is engineered for applications
requiring extreme rigidity and exceptional repeatability.
"The F-200iB is a lean robot that provides maximum versatility while requiring
minimal floor space," said Virgil Wilson, material removal product manager,
FANUC Robotics. "Achieving optimal production while using the least amount of
space is an important concept of lean manufacturing."
The superior rigidity and payload of the F-200iB makes it well suited for a wide
range of applications including flexible fixturing, nut running, spot welding,
nut/stud welding, part loading and dispensing, It is also ideal to meet the rigors
of material removal applications including heavy-duty deflashing, drilling and hole
cutting.
The F-200iB is capable of significantly higher feed rates versus a serial link
robot, with up to 200 mm/second for deflashing aluminum castings and up to 35
mm/second for hole cutting of 3 mm thick cold rolled sheet steel. The F-200iB
also has increased accuracy due to less robot deflection versus a serial link
robot, provides increased tool life due to less vibration and tool chatter, and can
include semi- or fully-automatic tool change.
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 155,000 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
