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FANUC 'ginat' hits our shores
John Hart Robotics and Automation is excited to announce the release of Fanuc M-2000iA ‘super heavy payload robot’ to the Australian market. Weighing in at almost 10 tonne, the M-2000iA is the largest and strongest handling robot on the market to date. To highlight just how powerful this robot actually is, the M-2000iA/1350 can manoeuvre 1350kg at 66.6cm (Z axis) from the roll face, whilst its nearest competing rival can only move its maximum 1300kg payload, 40cm in the same Z axis (see diagram). The M-2000iA robot series expands robotic automation into areas that previously were only deemed possible with heavy dedicated equipment or complex multiple coordinated robot systems. Heavy machine tending, handling of heavy zinc ingots, heavy brick load palletising and automotive body transfer are just a few areas of industry where the M-2000iA will excel. The M-2000iA is controlled by Fanuc’s latest highly reliable R-30iA robot controller providing many advanced features such as integrated iRVision and multiple robot control, should your automation needs require more than one Fanuc M-2000iA robot. Replacement of existing robot systems on factory networks is easily implemented as the R-30iA robot controller offers seamless communication to a wide range of industry standard protocols such as Device Net, Profibus DP, Modbus and Ethernet IO. For seriously heavy duty robotic automation applications, the Fanuc M-2000iA is unrivalled on every level.
To read more on M-2000iA click here. September 2009 |
| FANUC M-10iA and M-20iA versatile intelligent handling robots
Fanuc has recently introduced two new robot models to its range, the M-10iA with up to 10kg payload and the M-20iA (up to 20kg). With multiple strength and reach configurations, these versatile intelligent handling robots have been introduced as replacements to the popular M6iB and M16iB robots. Fanuc has improved the peripheral packaging on these robots dramatically. For the first time on a 6 axis robot of its size, the hollow joints at both J4 and J6 allow all cabling and services to run inside the robot arm. This method of compact cable management removes cost and downtime issues that can arise from external cables becoming caught and even broken and enhances the overall rotational manoeuvrability of the robot arm. The ability to house various cabling within the arm itself also makes for more accurate simulation of the robots movement, so when it comes to running the robot in real time the problems arising from external cables contacting machinery or surrounding objects are removed. With a cantilevered J5 on the forearm, the M-10iA and M-20iA robots have an enhanced range of motion at the wrist and a slimmer profile, while the compact base design offers a reduced J2 interference radius. The M-10iA is offered in two standard variants, the M-10iA (10kg & 1420mm reach) and the M-10iA/6L (6kg & 1632mm reach). Accordingly, the M-20iA range is offered in two standard variants as well, the M-20iA (20kg & 1.81mm reach) and the M-20iA/10L (10kg & 2.01mm reach).
February 2009 |
| Automate or Die
Taken from American Machinist, February 2007
Shops in high-mix, low-volume production environments no longer can expect to compete simply by running lines of stand alone machining centers with an operator at each one. Labor costs are too high, and, more importantly, operating in such a fashion typically translates to only a 40-percent machineutilization rate because so much time is wasted loading and unloading workpieces and cleaning off workholding fixtures between parts. However, shops can boost machine-utilization rates to 50 percent, 80 percent, or as high as 95 percent by incorporating automation and horizontal machining centers. The simplest forms of automation are automatic tool changing and automatic pallet changing. Combined, these two functions can increase a horizontal machining center's utilization 50 percent to 80 percent, given the right application. But, to catapult machine utilization into the 90-percent and above range, shops must take the next step in automation — multiple-pallet systems. While usually associated with high-volume premium shops, multiple-pallet, pallet-pool, or pallet-magazine systems let shops that produce a high mix of low-volume jobs run machines unmanned and in lights out operations. For example, an 8-pallet system could accommodate eight or more different jobs or as many different operations on the same part. Essentially, these systems ramp up machine utilization without requiring a shop to increase its labor resources. Along with multiple-pallets, many machine tool builders recommend that shops also use modular fixturing and some type of pallet-management system within a cell controller. Modular fixturing allows shops to quickly build workholding for virtually any workpiece from a kit of components in about four hours. The alternative is to make customdesigned fixtures that would take a lot more time and labor. After running a job that uses modular fixturing, shops can take a digital photo of the fixture, or use the software that typically is included with modular-fixturing systems to document the specific fixtures it used. That lets the shop easily re-configure the fixtures for repeat orders and eliminates having to keep shelves full of fixtures for repeat orders. A cell controller connects one or more machining centers to a pallet-changing system and keeps track of the parts that are loaded on the array of pallets. All part programs and any type of fixture-management software typically reside in the cell controller to provide "one-point" operation. Some cell controllers even accept videos or photographs of various part setups for future referencing. As a pallet loads, the cell controller automatically delivers the appropriate part program to the machine it is destined for. By handling the whole cell on its own, the cell controller increases a shop's output without having to add more operators. Robots Need Apply Makino's system consists of a robot that feeds subpallets of work into a horizontal machining center — typically a five-axis type machine. Locators that match up to the machining center's pallet ensure that each loaded sub-pallet is qualified to the machine tool, so the machine knows the sub-pallet's location. Because sub-pallets are qualified to the machine tool, shops also can qualify the workpieces on those pallets to the machine tool. This eliminates the extra step of having to determine the workpiece location on the machine or qualifying the workpieces to the machine. "When using conventional pallet-changing systems, shops still must qualify new fixtures to machine tools and make sure the parts on those fixtures are properly positioned," said Tim Jones, product line manager for horizontal machining centers at Makino. Unlike conventional pallet systems that stack pallets horizontally, Makino's system stores its sub-pallets vertically. This allows the system to fit into a small space and eliminates the need for long lines of pallet-storage units. Only the work-setting stations in Makino's system are horizontal, so operators do not have to fight gravity when loading parts. According to Jones, sub-pallets and the fact they are stored vertically have been instrumental in Makino being able to apply robots to high-mix, low-volume work. Automated Concepts takes a different approach to automation for high-mix, low-volume work. Its system, called the LM-8D, is a self-contained, off-the-shelf automation package that matches up to a shop's existing machine tool. The system includes a Fanuc M 16i six-axis robot, a bidirectional five-drawer part feeder and a Fanuc "B" style controller. By using standard pre-engineered components such as these, Automated Concepts can offer the LM-8D for less than $100,000, a price that is about 25 percent to 40 percent less than a custom-designed system, Brian Turner, special services manager at Automated Concepts, said. "A lot of shops tell us they need to automate, but they are often dissuaded by cost and a belief that the system won't be flexible enough. The LM-8D addresses these two constraints," he said. Shops load various jobs into the system's feeder drawers. The feeder drawers adjust in height from 5 in. to 8 in. and accommodate workpiece diameters ranging from 2.5 in. to 4.5 in. The robot then opens an individual drawer shelf, removes a raw part and loads it into a waiting machine tool. Once the part is complete, the robot unloads it from the machine, places it back into the drawer from which it was taken or onto an outbound conveyor or into a bin, and loads another workpiece. The robot handles various part shapes using a three-finger gripper system that includes six other aluminum finger blanks that can be used for different families of parts. Automated Concepts integrates its robots to machine tools via the machine tool's interface, so machine tools that are to be automated must be robot-ready. That means the machine tool must have the ability to interface a robot into its controller. In addition to its other benefits, the LM-8D is portable because its robot and drawer unit are bolted to the same base/platform that is enclosed by steel wire safety fencing. After a run of jobs on one type of machine, a shop can simply fork truck the whole system to a different machine. The LM8D applies to any type of machining operation — milling, turning, grinding and others, and plans are in the works for an LM-8D system that will feed two machines. The current model is designed to tend only one machine at a time. Also, because the robot and drawer feeder rest on the same platform, the robot always knows the feeder's position. Shops do not have to re-teach the robot where the feeder is after moving the system to a different location. Once the system is positioned, it is simply a matter of touching the robot to the machine's workholding to teach it where the machine is, running air and power to the system and connecting it to the machine's I/O block. |
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| ROBOGUIDE - The latest simulation package from FANUC |
Robot system integrators and end-users can now make significant reductions in design and programming time by using a new simulation package from FANUC Robotics. ROBOGUIDE is a cost effective solution for engineers to design, prove and programme robot systems either concurrently with new product design or for making modifications to existing equipment and programmes. A FANUC Robotics Virtual Robot Controller and programming capability operates within the 3D feature rich simulation tool. Designers can choose from a wide range of ‘drag and drop’ customisable objects such as conveyors or machine tools to simulate system layouts. Alternatively CAD models of existing parts, fixtures and grippers can be imported in IGES format. Enabling a virtual environment, the package allows the user to programme the robot using familiar FANUC TP programming commands. In addition to recording mid-air tool locations, ROBOGUIDE can generate a robot trajectory along virtual objects such as moving across the face of a table, following an edge or contouring a curve. A virtual pendant ensures engineers are able to work with a familiar interface. The virtual controller provides accurate positioning and path following, allowing cells to be designed and locations programmed even before a prototype has been produced. Provided cells are modelled correctly and programmed around clearly defined datum points, the transition time from virtual to real world for a robot cell can be dramatically reduced with cycle time accuracy within 2%. ROBOGUIDE offers a range of application specific plug-ins to further aid the system design engineer. FANUC PROcess software includes HandlingPRO, PalletPRO, WeldPRO and PaintPRO that provides application specific commands and routines to speed up programming. MotionPRO is a plug-in which provides optimisation of programme cycle time, allowing further time savings when commissioning systems. In addition MotionPRO can be used to optimise existing programs.
January 2007 |
| Fanuc M-710iC robot |
Fanuc Ltd, the world’s leading manufacturer of industrial robots, recently announced the launch of its new M710iC/50 model robot. Distributed throughout Australia and New Zealand by John Hart Automation & Robotics, this robot offers full 6-axis capability, with a payload of 50Kg at just over 2m reach. The new M710iC/50 provides a very affordable solution to a wide range of machine loading applications. With the new slim line wrist enabling easier access into confined spaces and an overall rating of IP67, this is a versatile robot designed to help many organizations achieve the cost reductions they are seeking in order to remain competitive.
With reduced labour costs, improved productivity, elimination of OH&S issues and in certain cases the extra production achievable through totally unmanned operation, many companies and organizations are reaping the rewards of investing in robotic automation. Once considered too expensive for many companies, robotics now offer a very viable and affordable solution for your production needs, especially considering the benefits they provide. July 2006 To read more on M-710iC click here. |
The M710iC/50 is the first of a new generation of Fanuc robots featuring the recently released R-J3iC controller. With a new, faster and more powerful processor, the R-J3iC allows direct integration of Fanuc’s versatile 2D & 3D vision systems, eliminating the need for the external vision PC required in the past, making it even easier and more affordable to use vision with your robot.
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