FANUC America Demonstrates Intelligent Deburring with its M-3iA Parallel-Link “Genkotsu” Robot at IMTS 2014

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Sept. 8, 2014 – FANUC America Corporation demonstrates intelligent deburring with its M-3iA/6A parallel-link “Genkotsu” robot during IMTS 2014, Sept. 8-13, at McCormick Place, Chicago, booth #S-8919.

At the show, a FANUC M-3iA/6A six-axis robot will use iRVision^® to select three positions on a machined casting to establish a base frame.  The robot will then use iRVision to develop an edge profile from the real part and create a new robot program.  The robot then uses the new robot program to debur the part using a FANUC FS-15iA force sensor.  The force sensor allows the robot to move along a path with specified pushing force and force direction.   The robot then finishes the deburring cycle, and moves the part to show that it can account for different part locations. 

“The demonstration shows our solution’s ability to adapt to casting variations in machined parts,” said Virgil Wilson, staff engineer, FANUC America.  “Using the robot with force control is an excellent process for post machining deburring applications.”

FANUC Intelligent M-3iA robot

The M-3iA robot is a larger version of the company’s M-1iA and M-2iA “Genkotsu” robots. Available in a three, four or six-axis model, the M-3iA offers the same unique 

parallel-link structure, and accommodates payloads up to 12kg.  In addition, it has the largest work envelope of any robot in its class (1350mm x 500mm). 

The M-3iA is ideal for simple and complex material handling, material removal or assembly processes for a variety of industries including: machinery, electronics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, office supplies, consumer products, and solar panels. 

The M-3iA six-axis model has a three-axis wrist for complex assembly tasks.  The extreme flexibility offered by the three-axis wrist enables the robot to pick up and insert parts at simple or compound angles, and twist parts into place, similar to the flexibility offered by a manual operator. 

The four-axis M-3iA has a single-axis wrist for simple assembly and high-speed picking operations, offering speeds up to 4000 degrees per second.  In addition, a hollow wrist allows hoses and cables to be routed internally, which minimizes wear and tear on the tooling cables. 

A three-axis M-3iA has up to 12kg payload and offers higher throughput when the applications do not require orientation control of the product. 

The M-3iA, like all FANUC robots, operates with the company’s latest R-30iB Controller with integrated intelligent functions such as iRVision, Force Sensing, Robot Link, and Collision Guard. 

 

The M-3iA “Genkotsu” robot offers a wide range of benefits, including:

• Patent-pending three-axis, parallel-link wrist maximizes flexibility.
• Six-axis design (three-axis wrist) enables part feeding from the sides of a work zone, increasing the useable workspace.
• Four-axis design (single-axis wrist) moves parts at extremely high speeds; a hollow wrist allows tooling cables to be routed internally, minimizing wear and tear.
• Three-axis design operates at high speeds and offers a 12kg payload.
• Food option with food-grade grease features a special coating to handle acid and alkaline disinfectants, and low-pressure rinsing.
• Ability to work with primary (unpackaged) or secondary (packaged) food products.
• IP67 rating for the entire robot means the robot is waterproof and can withstand harsh environments, including dust and oil mist.
• Collision Guard detects robot collisions with external objects, minimizing damage to the part and robot.
• Robot Link controls and coordinates up to ten robots through a network exchange of robot positional data.
• FANUC Force Sensor is available for intricate assembly applications. 

FANUC iRVision 

FANUC iRVision is a truly integrated, plug-and-go vision system that runs on the standard CPU of every FANUC R-30iB controller without any additional hardware. 

A single source solution developed and supported by FANUC, iRVision offers easy setup and operation for factory environments requiring 2D and 3D guidance, error proofing, visual tracking, and quality control – all with FANUC’s world-renowned reliability.

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.

FANUC Force Sensing   

FANUC Force Sensors are a fully integrated solution including hardware and software.  Available in four models ranging from 15kg to 250kg, FANUC Force Sensors provide the most robust and reliable solutions in the market.  A single source solution developed and supported by FANUC, the FANUC Force Sensors offer easy setup and operation for factory operations requiring part matching, meshing, inserting, force loading and contouring/deburring.  

---

About FANUC America Corporation

FANUC America Corporation is a subsidiary of FANUC CORPORATION in Japan and provides industry-leading CNC systems, robotics, and ROBOMACHINEs. FANUC’s innovative technologies help manufacturers maximize productivity, reliability, and profitability. Headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan, FANUC America has facilities throughout North and South America. Learn more at www.fanucamerica.com or explore collaborative robots at crx.fanucamerica.com.

Connect with FANUC America on YouTube, X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.