Flexible robotic handling systems combine Japanese and US expertise

Citation

(2001), "Flexible robotic handling systems combine Japanese and US expertise", Industrial Robot, Vol. 28 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2001.04928bab.007

Flexible robotic handling systems combine Japanese and US expertise

Flexible robotic handling systems combine Japanese and US expertise

Keywords: Motoman, Robotics, Handling

Robot supplier, Motoman, has teamed up in the UK with design house and systems integrator, BTM, to offer advanced robotic equipment for component handling and transfer applications. The co-operation agreement makes available the powerful combination of Motoman's Japanese-built, articulated-arm robots and BTM's universal end arm effector, a device developed in the USA which uses spherical jointed, telescoping arms with sliding, swivelling brackets to allow rapid positional adjustment (see Plate 4).

The advantage of lightweight, rigid manipulators from BTM is that they are standard, off-the-shelf devices which can be easily reconfigured if the component and/or process changes. They incorporate a shock sensor which automatically resets or shuts down the system if the workpiece crashes due to an obstacle in its path or incorrect programming.

Plate 4 A Motoman UP130 robot equipped with a BTM end arm effector for high speed handling of large, bulky sheet metal components

Complementing these modular end arm effectors is BTM's new range of locking grippers for robotic, die transfer and automation applications. These too are lightweight, promoting maximum operating speeds. Grippers remain locked in the event of air pressure loss, providing a further safety feature in operation.

Benefits of Motoman's latest "UP" robot series are equally noteworthy. Each model has a significantly larger working envelope than its predecessor and all feature a flexible conduit which routes services from the base to the upper arm, eliminating trailing hoses and cables. Direct drive on all axes promotes speed, accuracy and reliability of movements.

There are eight models in the range with load capacities from 6 to 400kg. As with all Motoman robots, they enjoy simplicity of programming and smoothness of action together with the backing of a wide range of supporting software. Positioning accuracy is ±0.2mm.

Alongside the launch of its UP series, Motoman has introduced a new, 27-axis controller, the first to be capable of handling three six-axis robots and synchronising their movements with a variety of other equipment such as gantry systems, linear tracks and rotary indexers.

For further information contact John D'Angelillo, Managing Director, Motoman Robotics (UK) Ltd, 1 Swan Industrial Estate, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX16 8DJ, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1295 272755; Fax: +44 (0) 1295 267127. E-mail: johnd'angelillo@motoman.co.uk Web site: www.motoman.se