FANUC Robotics Demonstrates Intelligent Bin Picking with the New R-2000iB Robot and iRVision at IMTS 2006
ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Sept. 6, 2006 - FANUC Robotics America, Inc.'s
new R-2000iB robot equipped with the new R-J3iC Controller and iRVision will
demonstrate intelligent bin picking during IMTS 2006 at McCormick Place in
Chicago, Sept. 6-13, booth #8418.
At the show, the new R-2000iB/165F intelligent robot will locate and pick parts
from a bin using the integrated iRVision 3D laser vision sensor. The robot will
then load the parts to the FANUC aT14iEL ROBODRILL for processing, unload
finished parts and place them in an output bin.
"The iRVision 3D vision system enables the intelligent robot to determine part
location and orientation in the bin so that the parts can be robotically picked up
and properly placed back in the bin," said Mark Handelsman, FANUC Robotics'
manager of industry marketing. "We're showing manufacturers how easy and
practical robot vision can be."
"This is a breakthrough application that bundles 3D vision technology into a
solution that is extremely reliable and easy to setup and use," added
Handelsman. "Bin picking has historically been a very challenging robotic
process, now made possible by FANUC's intelligent robot technology.
New R-2000iB Intelligent Robot
Supported by the new R-J3iC Controller, the R-2000iB features enhanced
intelligent functions and motion performance, industry-leading reliability, and
easy maintenance. The R-2000iB offers multiple model variations, including a
165 kg base model, a high payload version, and a rack-mount model. A slim
arm and wrist assembly helps minimize interference with system equipment and
allows the robot to operate in small workspaces.
New R-J3iC Controller
The new R-J3iC Robot Controller uses high-performance hardware and the
latest control technology, providing a level of intelligence never offered before.
Advanced vibration control allows the R-2000iB to accelerate and decelerate
very quickly, reducing cycle time by approximately five percent compared to
current robot models. For spot welding applications, the R-J3iC automatically
optimizes servo-gun and robot motion, reducing the R-2000iB's cycle time by as
much as 15 percent, which provides significant improvements in throughput and
productivity.
Enhanced Intelligent Functions
The R-2000iB offers a variety of intelligent function enhancements including
Robot Link, which controls and coordinates up to ten robots through a network
exchange of robot positional data. In addition, with the new Radar Monitoring
function for multiple robots (available later this year), the R-2000iB exchanges
current positional data and robot motion information to prevent interference in
multi-robot applications.
"Typically, in multi-robot applications, a customer is required to set up a very
complex interlock system between the robots," said Claude Dinsmoor, general
manager, controller software product development, FANUC Robotics America,
Inc. "The multi-arm and multi-robot enhancements of the R-J3iC can eliminate
many complex interlocking systems, reducing the cost and simplifying the
operation of multiple robots."
iRVision - Integrated Vision
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 iRVision system raises the bar for the integration of machine vision to
robotics, providing a new level of robot intelligence with significant cost
reductions and quality benefits," said Edward Roney, FANUC Robotics' manager
of vision product development. "We've taken the complexity out of robot vision,
eliminating the need to combine a separate vision system with the robot
controller. Now, a customer simply plugs in a camera and cable to a dedicated
vision port on the robot's main CPU, and the system is ready to go to work."
FANUC Robotics first introduced robot guidance systems in 1984. Since that
time, the company has installed thousands of vision products worldwide in a
variety of applications including assembly, machine tending, palletizing, error
proofing, and packaging.
"In the early 80's, several robot companies supplied vision systems; however,
when most robot suppliers stopped offering vision as part of their product line, we
continued to view vision as an important complement to robotics. This unique
understanding of the use and benefits of machine vision with robotics has lead to
the development of advanced robot vision systems such as iRVision."
Compatibility with R-2000iA
The R-2000iB intelligent robot is compatible with its predecessor, the R-2000iA.
The new robot has the same workspace, installation, mounting interface,
operation, and robot programming as the R-2000iA. This extensive compatibility
makes it extremely easy to replace the R-2000iA with the R-2000iB.
"The R-2000iB is an evolved, multi-purpose, intelligent robot that meets the everchanging automation needs of manufacturers," said Dinsmoor. "In material
handling applications and others, the R-2000iB and its complete array of
intelligent functions provide higher uptime and productivity, combined with easy
operation."
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.
Contact:
Cathy Powell
Sr. Marketing Analyst
FANUC Robotics
Phone: (248) 377-7570
cathy.powell@fanucrobotics.com
