Fanuc Corporation, Oshino-mura, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan

[Airicist]

Automated Carton Loading Machine with the FANUC M-10iA Robot - Courtesy of Clear Automation

Published on Nov 15, 2013

Specializing in flexible and fixed automation equipment, FANUC Authorized Integrator Clear Automation develops and integrates automation and robotic solutions for a variety of industries and applications. This automated carton loading machine from Clear Automation is just one example of Clear Automation's many services and capabilities.

The system starts with a six-axis FANUC M-10iA Robot unloading two rows of six blistered products from an Alloyd Blister Sealer. The robot's end of arm tooling passes each row of cards through sensors to ensure that the product is in each blister. The FANUC M-10iA Robot then hands off each row of cards to a flipper station, where a flipper rotates six cards at a time to the customer's desired pack pattern. The cards are then lowered onto a cleated indexer, where they are indexed to a servo-controlled pusher six at a time.

Finally, the pusher detects all six cards, combines them, and pushes the six cards into a cartoner bucket indexer. This system features a touch screen HMI and can process 180 parts per minute, 24 hours per day.

[Airicist]

New FANUC LR Mate 200iD/7L Long-Arm Robot Picks & Packs Stackable Products

Published on Nov 22, 2013

FANUC America is proud to introduce the new FANUC LR Mate 200iD/7L long-arm robot - A high-speed, compact industrial robot with six axes of motion. The 7L version of the FANUC LR Mate 200iD robot was developed with a longer reach in order to handle a wider range of products.

In this demonstration of the LR Mate 200iD/7L's capabilities, the robot picks individual variety packs and places them into stackable totes. First, the robot slightly shifts the order of the parts in order to showcase its ability to pick parts with random orientation. The robot picks eight packs, and proceeds to stack a new, empty tote once the tote is packed and finished.

This robot uses FANUC's truly integrated iRVision system with its snap-on-the-fly feature to quickly locate each part. It also checks label presence and orientation on each variety pack by using iRVision's inspection feature with a second overhead camera. This demonstration showcases the new LR Mate 200iD/7L robot's slim design and long 911-millimeter reach capability. It also displays the 7Ls 7-kilogram payload, and its six-axis articulation.

The family of LR Mate 200iD robots is a versatile solution for a wide range of manufacturing operations that require access into small spaces. They offer a best in class work envelope for both upright and invert mount installations, and offer a bottom cable exit option to minimize interference with peripheral devices.

[Airicist]

Speed Enhancing Software for Pick & Place Robots - FANUC Genkotsu Learning Control (GLC)

Published on Nov 27, 2013

Chocolate Pick & Place with GLC

FANUC America is proud to introduce a new, innovative software product that helps to enhance the speed and performance of FANUC pick and place robots -- FANUC Genkotsu Learning Control or GLC.

The application in this video demonstrates how FANUC GLC can optimize the performance of a FANUC "Genkotsu" or delta-style pick and place robot. The FANUC robot seen in this application is the largest in FANUC's family of delta-style robots -- The FANUC M-3iA/6S four-axis robot. The M-3iA robot picks boxes of chocolate three at a time from a line-tracked in-feed conveyor and packs them into a fixed station case at very high speeds. A monitor displays what the robot is seeing.

With GLC enabled, the robot is able to pick up to an amazingly fast 131 parts per minute. However, we are able to see the difference in the system's speed with GLC and without GLC by disabling it. The green push button on the left disables the GLC software feature. When the button is pushed down, the process is conducted at lower speeds, and the robot with GLC disabled is unable to pick up to the previous 131 parts per minute. The conveyors are slowed so that the robot can keep up without missing any boxes and - as seen on the monitor - with the GLC disabled the robot can pick up to 121 parts per minute, 10 less boxes than with GLC enabled.

That's because GLC uses interactive learning techniques to optimize speed and motion performance of the FANUC M-3iA robot. Motion times can be reduced up to 10%, all while keeping the robot duty within an acceptable range -- something less-advanced speedup methods are unable to achieve. This demonstration also uses FANUC's new iRPickTool software, which simplifies setup for line tracking systems and minimizes programming for customers with picking applications. It also uses the new ROBOGUIDE/iRPickPRO software, which allows customers to simulate visual tracking systems with multiple robots for testing and validating real-world scenarios on a PC.

[Airicist]

Two New FANUC Welding Robots MIG Weld Axle Transmission Shafts - FANUC America

Published on Dec 6, 2013

Axle transmission shaft welding

With this live MIG welding robotic demonstration, FANUC America proudly introduces two new robots -- The new FANUC ARC Mate 0iB seen on the left and the new FANUC M-10iA/12 model to the right.

The demonstration starts with a robotic bin picking process - The FANUC M-10iA/12 robot locates a randomly placed gear in the first bin using FANUC's iRVision 3D Area Sensor. The robot picks a gear, then drops it onto an inspection surface where it uses iRVision to inspect the part for proper re-orientation. Once the robot has the re-gripped part, it transfers the part to the welding fixture. The M-10iA/12 robot repeats the same process for the shaft -- The robot locates, picks, re-grips and places the shaft into the welding fixture. All the while the ARC Mate 0iB on the left dry welds parts underneath the welding fixture to illustrate the robot's motion speed and dexterity. Both robots in this demonstration are working at all times.

Once both parts are in the fixture, the ARC Mate 0iB runs a dry weld of the parts while the M-10iA/12 robot holds the shaft in place in the gear. Once the dry weld is complete, the M-10iA/12 robot picks both parts and places them back into their bins and the cycle repeats. The weld demonstration is repeated; only this time we'll watch a live weld of the axle transmission shafts. This demonstration displays the best in class speed and high motion performance of the new ARC Mate 0iB along with the new M-10iA/12 robot's world-renowned reliability, all in one very low cost solution.

[Airicist]

Automated Fuse Box Deflashing with FANUC LR Mate Robots - Courtesy of Compass Automation

Published on Dec 13, 2013

FANUC Authorized Integrator Compass Automation designed and built this custom automated deflashing system using the FANUC LR Mate 200iC robot for Marathon Special Products - a manufacturer of terminal blocks and fuse holders in Bowling Green, OH. The system starts when an operator loads parts into four in-feed fixtures with quick change, adjustable tooling to accommodate all 77 separate part numbers. Once the operator has locked a part into place, the operator presses a touch button. The touch button calls an overhead camera system mounted on a linear actuator. The camera images the part, identifying the part for deflashing. After imaging, a linear actuator moves the part towards one of two Fanuc LR Mate 200iC robots. The LR Mate robot calls the correct deflashing program, and begins to process the part. After the part is deflashed, the fixture slides back to the operator passing an air knife that blows off debris. Finally, the finished part is unloaded by the operator. This deflashing system made it possible for Marathon to deflash their parts and keep up with production rates, while alleviating the operator of the ergonomic and quality difficulties associated with deflashing by hand.

[Airicist]

Crankshaft Grinder with FANUC 31i-T CNC Control and Panel i - Courtesy of Weldon Solutions

Published on Dec 28, 2013

Crankshaft Grinding

FANUC Authorized Integrator Weldon Solutions offers a full line of CNC OD, ID and combination grinders, as well as solutions for machine tending, material removal, material handling, and packaging and palletizing.

This video highlights the new Weldon 120S Midas Pin Chasing Crankshaft Grinder with FANUC Series 31i-TB CNC Control with Panel i. This machine allows a manufacturer to grind two pins on a crankshaft in one operation in a CNC pin-chasing mode, where the grinding wheel follows the part as it rotates to stay in contact with the eccentric pins. To acomlish this, the machine utilizes FANUC's Learning Function. This function allows the control to learn the following error and compensate part after part after part, improving the accuracy of the finished part and cycle time. To provide the rapid changes in direction the X axis undergoes when grinding this type of part the machine also features FANUC Linear Motor on the X axis. Dressing is accomplished with a workhead, spindle-mounted diamond roll, eliminating the need for a dresser motor and control. The part is clamped and driven by a collet system, with tailstock for support. In this operation there is no need to offset the pin in a pot fixture before grinding. A probing system is used for lateral positioning and to establish radial position of each pin. The probe also serves to verify that the proper part has been loaded. The overall result is improved productivity and better quality control.

Contact Weldon Solutions today to find out how a new CNC grinder can enhance your manufacturing operation, and increase efficiency. To learn more about the Weldon's full series of CNC grinders, please visit their website at http://www.weldonsolutions.com

[Airicist]

Automated Salt Bag Palletizing with FANUC M-410iB Robot - Courtesy of Kaufman Engineered Systems

Published on Jan 3, 2014

FANUC Authorized Integrator Kaufman Engineered Systems is a leader in integration of FANUC robots for complete line automation in the fields of robotic palletization, stretch wrap systems, conveyor systems and custom engineered solutions.

The robotic palletizing system in this video utilizes the FANUC M-410iB palletizing robot with its custom designed end of arm tool to palletize heavy bags of salt pellets. These bags of salt can weigh anywhere from 25 to 80 pounds. The robot places the bags onto CHEP or GMA pallets. The infeed system features individual belts for non-contact bag accumulation and for a bag pick conveyor. This system also features Flatwire mesh pallet conveyors, along with a bag-flattening conveyor. The bag-flattening conveyor has a traffic isle located underneath and a bag leak detection system that checks for any potential discharge. If a bad bag is found, it is transferred to this reject conveyor.

The FANUC M-410iB robot comes in a wide range of models to suit any palletizing payload need. This intelligent palletizing robot also comes iRVision ready, and can be programmed and simulated through FANUC ROBOGUIDE.
Kaufman Engineered Systems

[Airicist]

FANUC ROBODRILL Machining Center - Product Overview

Published on Jan 10, 2014

FANUC has engineered the ROBODRILL machine center to address all machining needs for its class. This amazing machine tool is available in short, standard and long bed models.

Contact FANUC America today to speak with our experienced ROBODRILL experts who will help you make sure you're getting the most out of your machining processes, from the #1 seller of industrial automation in the world.

[Airicist]

Automated Cosmetics Kitting with the New FANUC LR Mate 200iD/4S Short-Arm Robot

Published on Jan 17, 2014

FANUC America is proud to introduce the latest in our line of LR Mate 200iD robots -- the new LR Mate 200iD/4S short-arm model mini robot. Developed to meet a wider range of products and thus suit customer needs, the new LR Mate 200iD short-arm robot is very compact and lightweight with a 550 mm reach and a 4 kg payload.

In a video demonstration of this intelligent robot's capabilities, the LR Mate 200iD/4S is used in kitting mixed cosmetics products into cases. First, the robot unpacks the kits, showcasing the robot's six-axis dexterity to handle box tops and slip sheet placement with extreme precision. The robot takes a quick vision shot after unpacking the kits, and locates the randomly oriented products using FANUC iRVision. Once the parts are located, the robot proceeds to rapidly pick and pack the various round and square cosmetics from the tray into their individual variety packs. The robot places the slip sheets and box tops in place when the kitting is finished, and the cycle repeats.

The FANUC family of LR Mate 200iD robots offer a best in class work envelope and are available in clean room and food grade variants for primary food handling and healthcare packaging applications.

[Airicist]

Four FANUC Arc Welding Robots Weld A Trailer Hitch -- Courtesy of TranTek Automation

Published on Feb 3, 2014

In this video, four FANUC Arc Mate 100iC robots weld an automotive trailer hitch. First an operator inserts the trailer hitch components into a Dual Trunnion (or Ferris Wheel positioner). The innovative trunnion style systems allow multiple robots to weld while an operator loads the opposite side, reducing the machine footprint and optimizing capital utilization. Once all of the components are set and ready to go, the welding process begins. In a matter of seconds four hard working FANUC ARC Mate 100iC robots get to work, performing 58 welds, or 4000mm of total weld length to the trailer hitch.