volume 18 - issue 1 - Finn-Power International, Inc.

FOCUS ON ROBOTICS
New Advances in
Material Handling Robotics
Robotic automation has come along way in terms of the
capability and flexibility in the last 25 years, with each year
bringing greater advancements. Some are profound, such as
Intelligent Vision Guided Robot Systems, which are dramatically changing
the way systems are being designed. Robots that can see and think.
Unheard of. Sometimes the changes are subtle but offer a huge advantage
to the customer.
The new M-10iA robot is an excellent example of how a small
improvement on an already great product can result in a large payoff for
the customer. The M-10iA is the next generation of FANUC Robotics
high-performing six-axis material handling product line. With a standard
payload of 10 kg, this robot is ideal for the quick and precise movements
required in the press brake market.
Hollow Wrist & Arm (Solution Arm)
The most impressive new feature of the M-10iA is the hollow wrist
and upper arm, also referred to as the Solution Arm. Automating a press
brake application requires a dress out or cables to be attached to the
robot’s wrist and arm. Dress-out cables are bulky when exposed and can
interfere with the robot, tooling or peripheral equipment especially when
the wrist is twisting. Complications range from damaged or twisted cables
to completely severed cables.
Failures in this area can lead
to downtime and loss of
production.
The sleek design of the
M-10iA hollow wrist and
upper arm eliminates the
need for complicated robot
dress outs and offers reduced
costs and improved reliability
in return. Dress outs, cables
and airlines are simply routed in the 50-mm hollow wrist and upper arm
and are protected. This design also brings benefits of simplified wiring of
electrical and pneumatic connections which saves integration costs. Simply
enclosing the dress out improves cable life and reliability. The hollow wrist
and arm is a unique feature of the M-10iA and is unmatched in the
robotic industry.
Doing More with the Allowable
Payload (Moments and Inertia)
Another key advantage to the M-10iA robot is that the allowable wrist
moments and inertias are significantly higher than the previous model as
well as similar class competitors’ products. The allowable wrist moment is
70% higher than the previous model and the allowable wrist inertia is
56% higher. In layman’s terms, these higher specifications allow users to
have much larger tools and allow them to have the 10kg payload offset
further away from the face of the robot. This is a key factor in the press
brake market, where the robots are required to pick and place large sheets
of sheet metal.
Long Arm Product Variant
Extremely versatile, the M-10iA is also available in a long arm version.
The benefit of the long arm requires a slight sacrifice in the payload. The
M-10iA payload decreases from 10kg to 6kg. However, if payload is not a
pressing issue, the long arm version provides a significant benefit in terms
by Kari DeSantis, Senior Marketing Analyst, FANUC Robotics America, Inc.
New M-10iA Material Handling Robot
23
of robot reach. The long arm version increases the reach from 1420mm to
1630mm. The larger work envelop can save costs by avoiding the use of
multiple robots in a cell. In addition, both the M-10iA can be mounted
on the floor, wall or ceiling at any angle.
Model Specifications
Robot Model Reach Payload
M-10iA 1420 mm 10 kg
M-10iA/6L 1630 mm 6 kg
The M-10iA represents a dominant product line with world-class axis
speeds that decrease cycle times and improve production.
Other High Performance Features & Benefits
Motion Speed Enhancements – World-class axis speeds which
result in reduced cycle times
Slimmer Arm – More compact arm for reduced interference zones
Smaller Footprint – Robot base more compact, particularly useful
for multi-arm systems
Rigid Arm – Results in improved path accuracy
Integrated iRVision – Allows visual guidance or error proofing
For more information regarding the FANUC Robotics Product line,
contact FANUC Robotics at www.fanucrobotics.com or by calling
248-377-7000.