While smoothly loading the grinding center of type UW I F at SAACKE, the KUKA small robot KR AGILUS WP (waterproof) ensures fast and precise transfer and unloading of workpieces.

Robot-based automation of the grinding process shortens the changing times for workpieces

The KR AGILUS WP removes the workpiece to be machined – an indexable insert or a shank tool – from a pallet in the robot cell and sets it down on a pin. Following this, it positions the workpiece in front of the door of the cell, which opens automatically. The robot arm then moves through the open door to the grinding device outside of the robot cell, where a machined workpiece is already located during ongoing operation. Using the second gripper, the KR AGILUS WP picks up this workpiece and then loads the new workpiece with a quick rotation of the gripper arm. Machining of the new workpiece with the type UW I F tool grinding machine begins. In the meantime, the robot arm returns to the robot cell. There, the machined workpiece is cleaned in the blowing station and then set down again on the pallet before the robot grips the next workpiece to be ground and the work sequence is repeated from the beginning.

Waterproof KUKA small robot  also works precisely under intensive outdoor production conditions

The KUKAsmall robot works extremely precisely for the optimal handling of indexable inserts weighing just a few grams as well as for shank tools of up to 2.5 kg. The robot used to achieve this at SAACKE is the KR 6 R900 sixx WP robot – the most robust waterproof variant from the KR AGILUS series. It features stable stainless steel covers, resistant surface treatment and additional seals in the interior, enabling it to be used in a machine tool environment. This prevents ingress of cooling lubricant and grinding oil into the robot. As a result, the robot fully meets SAACKE’s expectations. Thanks to a shortened cut-to-cut time, the capacity utilization of the machine has been substantially improved. Furthermore, the reliable procedure has enabled the operator control requirements of the machine to be simplified to a great extent.

FANUC America Corporation is introducing its new CR-35iA collaborative robot, the industry’s first 35 kg payload force limited collaborative robot designed to work alongside humans without the need for safety fences. The CR-35iA collaborative robot features six-axis articulation.  A soft foam green cover protects workers who are in direct contact with the robot.  The robot’s shell is green to distinguish the collaborative robot from the standard yellow FANUC robots. “The FANUC CR-35iA collaborative robot allows shared workspace between an operator and the interactive robot,” said Greg Buell, product manager, FANUC America. “The highly-sensitive robot gently stops if it comes in contact with the operator, allowing the robot and human to work side by side; in fact, FANUC currently has units running in production at General Motors.”

The CR-35iA robot was developed to help manufacturers solve ergonomic challenges by handling applications that are physically demanding for humans, such as heavy lifting.  In the automotive industry, for example, workers are required to lift spare tires into vehicles on the assembly line.  “The CR-35iA can work alongside the employees assigned to this task to help reduce injuries associated with repetitive or heavy lifting,” added Buell.

Certified to meet the requirements of ISO 10218-1:2011, FANUC’s CR-35iA collaborative robot can work in a variety of applications alongside human workers including: machine tending, handling heavy payloads that require lift assist devices or custom equipment, higher payload mechanical assembly, palletizing or packing, and tote or carton handling.

The CR-35iA robot offers a wide range of collaborative and safety features and benefits, including:

• Industry’s first 35 kg payload collaborative robot that can work with humans in a shared workspace without safety fences.
• Works in cooperation with a human operator in a variety of applications including assembly and heavy-duty   part transfer.
• Stops safely when it touches a human operator.

FANUC CR-35iA Collaborative Robot  

• Soft green cover minimizes impact force and prevents human operators from being pinched.
• Certified to meet the requirements of international standards ISO 10218-1.
• Supports FANUC’s latest intelligent functions such as iRVision.
• Designed with the same high reliability as FANUC’s conventional robots.

Next Generation R-30iB Controller

The FANUC R-30iB Controller uses high-performance hardware and the latest advances in network communications, integrated iRVision, and motion control functions.  The R-30iB Controller features FANUC’s exclusive and easy-to-use iPendant with 4D graphics.  The iPendant displays process information and the actual process path directly on the iPendant screen, enabling easier setup and troubleshooting.

Based on the latest FANUC Series 30iB CNC Controller, the R-30iB Robot Controller is compact, providing customers a significant space savings.  The R-30iB Controller is also energy efficient, requiring less power consumption than previous models, and available with an optional power regeneration feature.

Photo: FANUC America