Demonstrating intelligent part processing, three robots with vision will show a part machining system, and intelligent assembly with vision and force sensing, during the IMTS 2006.FANUC Robotics America's new M-710iC robot will perform intelligent part processing with vision in a machining system, and intelligent assembly with vision and force sensing during IMTS 2006 at McCormick Place in Chicago, USA. * 'Mini Robot Cell' performs intelligent machining - at the show, three models in the new M-710iC robot series, combined with the iRVision 3D laser vision sensor will automate an intelligent part machining operation. This mini robot cell is a miniature version of an actual system running at FANUC, Japan, and is capable of 720h of unmanned operation.
The demonstration will work as follows.
An M-710iC/50 Solution Arm robot with the iRVision 3D laser vision sensor will detect and pick up parts from a pile and place them onto a regrip stand.
The M-710iC/50 will then detect the parts' position on the stand, and rearrange them for an M-710iC/50S robot, mounted on a rail axis, to pick the parts and load them to a FANUC a-T14iES Robodrill machining center.
Finally, an M-710iC/70 will deburr, air-blow, and palletize the parts.
'The increased use of robots for machine tending is a growing trend in the machine tool industry, said Dick Motley, manager, load/unload systems for FANUC Robotics.
'The new iRVision system raises the bar for the integration of machine vision to robotics, providing a new level of robot intelligence for machine tending operations.' Motley said: 'Intelligent robots provide significant cost savings advantages by eliminating the need for expensive part-feeding fixtures.
In addition, our intelligent robots can handle many precision applications such as bin picking of randomly placed parts.' * Intelligent assembly cell - FANUC Robotics will also demonstrate a two-phase intelligent assembly cell at IMTS.
The first cell will feature two M-710iC/50 robots, the FANUC FS-60 force sensor, and the iRVision 3D laser vision sensor.
The second cell features an LR Mate 200iB/5P robot, an intelligent parts feeder with a FANUC V-500iA/2DV vision sensor and a nut runner.
An M-710iC/50 robot, equipped with the 3D vision sensor will identify and pick two gear parts and a top housing from a tray and use force control to precisely fit the gear parts together, showing a variety of typical assembly processes.
A second M-710iC/50 presents a bottom housing to the first robot to complete the gear assembly.
When complete, the two robots move in perfect coordination to invert the assembly prior to the insertion of bolts to fasten it together.
The first robot will then transfer the assembly to the LR Mate 200iB/5P which inserts bolts that have been delivered by an intelligent parts feeder using 2D vision.
Once the bolts are inserted, the second robot uses a nut runner to simulate tightening of the bolts.
At this point, all three robots work together to disassemble the gear, and the sequence repeats itself.
* M-710iC Intelligent Robot - the M-710iC robot features six axes of motion, an extremely large work envelope, slim profile and small footprint.
The versatile M-710iC robot offers three model variations with payloads ranging from 50kg to 70kg., and a reach of 1360mm to 2050mm.
Multiple mounting methods including floor, ceiling, angle and wall, make it possible for users to have better access to unusual work pieces.
In addition, the FoundryPRO option makes the entire robot IP67 protected for operation in harsh environments.
'This is an exciting new robot based on its capabilities and flexibility,' said Virgil Wilson, product manager, FANUC Robotics America.
'It is rated 'best in class' for speed, and has one of the largest work envelopes in its class.
In addition, its compact size and ability to flip over and work behind itself maximizes flexibility for work cell design, and saves valuable floor space.' * LR Mate mini-robot series - the LR Mate 200iB is a member of FANUC Robotics' popular LR Mate series of intelligent mini robots designed to handle small parts in a wide range of industries and working environments, including machine shops, and medical device, food, plastics, and clean room manufacturing.
The LR Mate series is ideal for applications such as machine tending, assembly, picking and packing, part washing, material removal, clean room operations, and testing and sampling.
Its small size allows the robot to work in very tight workspaces.
The LR Mate 200iB has a slimmer arm than previous versions, which has further enhanced its reach and minimized interference.
Though the arm size is smaller, the six-axis robot has enhanced payload capabilities.
Brakes on all axes provide enhanced motion control.
The wrist moment capability has increased 33%, and maximum allowable payload has increased 67% (from 3 to 5kg).
A long-arm version, the LR Mate 200iB/3L, which has a 3kg payload, and an additional 6in of reach, is also available.
In addition to the LR Mate 200iB robot, the series includes the LR Mate 100iB, LR Mate 200iB/5WP for the food industry, the LR Mate 200iB/5P for high-precision applications, the LR Mate 200iB/5WP waterproof robot for washing spraying and CNC grinder tending, and the LR Mate 200iB/5C cleanroom robot.
* About FANUC Robotics America - FANUC Robotics America 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 in Japan, the company has facilities in Chicago; Los Angeles; Charlotte, North Carolina; Cincinnati and Toledo, Ohio; Toronto; Montreal; Aguascalientes, Mexico; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Over 155,000 FANUC robots are installed worldwide.
* FANUC Robotics America at IMTS 2006, Chicago, USA, September 6-13, Booth A-8418.