Heavy-Duty Robots are suited for material handling.

Press Release Summary:




Available in 350 and 600 kg payload categories, M-900iA series robots are engineered for heavy-duty machine tending, part transfer, and handling products for various industries. Articulated, 6-axis M-900iA/350 Robot has 2.65 m horizontal reach and does not require spring or weight counterbalance. With 2.83 m horizontal reach, electric, servo-driven M-900iA/600 Robot features modular construction. Both models use R-J3iB controller and offer optional IP-66/67 protection package.



Original Press Release:



FANUC Robotics Introduces New M-900iA Series of Heavy-Duty Robots at IMTS 2004



ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Sept. 8, 2004- FANUC Robotics America, Inc. will introduce its new M-900iA series of material handling robots during IMTS 2004 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Sept. 8-15, in the Emerging Technology Center.

The M-900iA series, available in two payload categories, 350 kg and 600 kg, is engineered for heavy-duty machine tending, part transfer and handling heavy products for a variety of industries. At IMTS, the M-900iA/350 robot, equipped with FANUC's unique V-500iA/3DL 3-D vision technology, will select and transfer an automotive engine block from an overhead conveyor. The M-900iA/350 will present the part to a FANUC F-200iB pedestal robot, which will simulate rough deflashing.

"FANUC Robotics is the leading supplier of intelligent robotic automation for all phases of powertrain manufacturing," said Dick Motley, FANUC Robotics' engineering manager, load/unload segment. "This demonstration represents the foundry and forming phase of our exhibit, which will highlight the various processes of powertrain manufacturing."

M-900iA/350 Robot

The new six-axis, articulated M-900iA/350 robot provides a 2.65 meter horizontal reach and 350 kg payload capacity. It offers "best in class" wrist capacity and axis speed, which translates into more flexibility for tooling design and material handling of large and heavy products such as engines, powertrain components, glass, building materials, various castings, and large sheet panels. In addition, the M-900iA/350 offers an optional IP66/67 harsh environment protection package.

"Capital equipment utilization is key to a company's productivity," said Motley. "The M-900iA's reach and lifting power make it an ideal solution for companies looking to maximize their competitive position by increasing productivity and reducing manufacturing costs. "

The new M-900iA/350 offers substantial improvement over its predecessor, the S-900iB/400. Since the robot does not require spring or weight counterbalance, it can be floor or ceiling (invert) mounted. Also, a small footprint helps reduce floor space and ceiling height requirements, a significant advantage for tight production areas.

The M-900iA/350 robot uses the latest R-J3iB Controller, which features fast processing speeds, a high level of memory, I/O handshaking and communication, remote diagnostics and user-friendly integration of other peripherals, vision, and factory floor networking.

M-900iA/600 Robot

The new M-900iA/600 is an ultra heavy-duty material handling robot with a 2.83 meter horizontal reach and 600 kg payload capacity. The M-900iA/600 is capable of handling very large and heavy parts such as sand core packages, engines, powertrain components, truck and bus 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 Motley. "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."

"The bottom line is enhanced productivity with significant cost savings," added Motley.

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 new 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, the 600 kg robot offers "best in class" wrist capacity and axis speed, providing manufacturers maximum flexibility for tool design and part handling. It also uses the latest R-J3iB Controller, which features fast processing speeds, a high level of memory, I/O handshaking and communication, remote diagnostics and user-friendly integration of other peripherals, vision, and factory floor networking. The M-900iA/600 also offers an optional IP66/67 harsh environment protection package. In addition, the new M-900iA/600 robot's small footprint (same bolt pitch as the popular FANUC R-2000iA series of robots) helps reduce floor space requirements.

FANUC Robotics America, Inc. designs, engineers and manufactures innovative robots and robotic systems for a wide range of industries and applications including arc and spot welding, material handling (machine tending, palletizing, packing), material removal, assembly, paint finishing and dispensing. The company also provides application-specific software, controls, vision products, and complete aftermarket support. After 22 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. FANUC Robotics can be found on the Internet at www.fanucrobotics.com or by calling 800-47-ROBOT.

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