FANUC America Demonstrates Large Part Coordinated Welding at IMTS 2014

FANUC showcases coordinated welding at IMTS 2014 with M-900iA/360 and ARC Mate robots, highlighting precision, strength, and advanced automation.

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ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Sept. 8, 2014 – FANUC America Corporation demonstrates large part coordinated welding with its new M-900iA/360 robot working with the ARC Mate 100iC/12 and new ARC Mate 100iC/7L robots during IMTS 2014, Sept. 8-13, at McCormick Place, Chicago, booth #S-8919.

At the show, a FANUC M-900iA/360 robot will pick up a compactor drum and present it to three ARC Mate 100iC robots equipped with iRVision® to locate the parts for welding.  All four robots work in coordinated motion; the ARC Mate 100iC robots simulate welding while the M-900iA/360 manipulates the part to maintain an optimum weld position.   

After welding is completed, the M-900iA/360 performs a series of movements to highlight its reach and strength while the ARC Mate 100iC robots perform iRVision TorchMate weld tip inspection.

FANUC Intelligent M-900iB Robot 

The new FANUC M-900iB/360 is a heavy payload material handling robot with a 360 kg payload, and a 2.65 meter reach.  The M-900iB/360 offers faster speeds, higher load capacity, and enhanced arm rigidity compared to the previous model.  In addition, the new robot features a more compact and lighter weight mechanical unit. 

The new M-900iB/360 is a great solution for handling heavy industrial parts,” said Virgil Wilson, product manager, FANUC America.  “It’s faster, stronger and lighter than the previous model.”

This robot is capable of handling very large and heavy parts such as aerospace and powertrain components, engines, truck and bus frames, and various castings, molded parts, glass, and building materials in a variety of applications including machine tending, material removal, part transfer and other handling processes.   

The M-900iB/360, like all FANUC robots, operates with the company’s latest R-30iB controller with integrated intelligent functions such as vision and integrated secondary control, ROBOGUIDE Simulation, and DCS Speed and Position Check Software. 

FANUC Intelligent M-900iB Robot Series - key features and benefits

  • The new M-900iA/360 offers a 360 kg payload capacity, and the M-900iB/700 offers 700 kg payload capacity.
  • “Best-in-class” payload and speed combination.
  • Allowable load inertia at the wrist is enhanced to handle super heavy products with stability.
  • Rigid arm offers stable transferring of heavy payloads.
  • Wrist is IP67 protected for operation in harsh environments.
  • Built-in iRVision and force sensing.
  • Reduces costs associated with fixed automation.  

Intelligent ARC Mate 100iC Robot Series

FANUC’s six-axis ARC Mate 100iC/12 robot offers a reach of 1,420 mm and a 12 kg payload.  The new ARC Mate 100iC/7L (long reach) robot offers a 1,632 mm reach and a 7 kg payload.  The new ARC Mate 100iC/12S (short arm) offers a reach of 1,098 mm and a 12 kg payload. The robot’s hollow wrist offers easy routing of cables and tubes, eliminating cable management issues. Strong and rigid, the ARC Mate 100iC/12, ARC Mate 100iC/12S, and ARC Mate 100iC/7L offer higher speeds and payloads than previous models.  A compact size allows it to operate in tight workspaces.  Productivity is improved through an enhanced motor and servo system that shorten cycle times.  Excellent motion range with the industry’s best reach and stroke ratio ease part placement and accessibility.

Compared to traditional dress packages, which are mounted externally on the robot’s arm, the internal routing  of  the ARC Mate 100iC allows the dress package to follow the motion range of the robot, simplifying programming and eliminating the worries of bending, snagging or breaking cables. 

“The ARC Mate 100iC series of robots are the highest performance arc welding robots in their class,” said Joe Hoffman, Senior Welding Engineer, FANUC America. “The internal dress package also makes it extremely easy to operate and maintain, and ensures a longer cable life.” 

The ARC Mate 100iC robots and the R-30iB Controller can be integrated in a welding system that includes the weld torch cable, wire feeder, and welding power supply.

ARC Mate 100iC/12 and ARC Mate 100iC/7L Features and Benefits

  • ARC Mate 100iC/12 has a 12 kg payload and the ARC Mate 100iC/7L has a 7 kg payload.
  • Offers a six-axis design for maximum flexibility.
  • Compact robot fits into tight workspaces.
  • Multiple mounting positions including floor, wall and invert mounting.
  • A hollow wrist allows tooling cables to be routed internally, minimizing wear and tear.
  • Supports FANUC’s latest intelligent features including iRVision .
  • Optional ServoTorch, integrated pull wire feeder with touch retract-start .
  • ArcLink XT™, the industry’s first Ethernet-based welding network.
  • High motion range including ‘best in class” reach versus stroke.

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.

The iRVision TorchMate weld tip inspection works with a variety of welding processes and is designed to reduce bad welds by monitoring bent torches and tip wear.  It features an easy menu setup with results displayed on the teach pendant to perform integrated diagnostics.  The inspection component is pre-packaged with easy connection and setup that requires no engineering.

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.

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.

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