Painting robots, FANUC, USA, Japan

FANUC America Authorized System Integrator EXEL North America developed this robotic coating system to coat cabinetry using self-learning technology and the new FANUC P-350iA Paint Robot.

Often times issues arise that cause problems for manufacturers who are attempting to paint their products. These common problems include painting a variety of substrates while hanging them in different orientations and traveling at high line speeds, all while seeking to paint or coat the substrates with numerous prewritten robot paths. Self-learning technology from EXEL North America eliminates these obstacles and allows manufacturers the convenience of not having to write a unique robot path for each substrate. Parameters can be changed to optimize the robot path and coating consumption, including gun triggering, applicator tip speed, spray pattern overlap, leading and trailing distance for changing applicator direction, and the ability to smooth out the surface contours of the substrate.

With self-learning technology from EXEL North America, inconsistent part presentation is no longer an issue, and minimal spacing of the parts is required. Additionally, coating consumption and finish quality is more consistent versus a manual sprayer.

EXEL North America utilizes FANUC’s latest paint robot – the FANUC P-350iA robot. The FANUC P-350iA paint robot is currently the strongest paint robot in the world, boasting a 45kg payload and 2,606mm reach. The FANUC P-350iA’s unique flexibility along with EXEL North America’s self-learning technology allow for coating the door edges clockwise then counter-clockwise to keep up with high line speeds. The line speed in the system seen here is 26 parts per minute.

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In a response to customer requirements for a high speed, six-axis paint robot with a heavy payload, FANUC America developed the new P-350iA/45 robot, adding to what is already the industry’s most robust lineup of paint robots. In this demonstration of the FANUC P-350iA/45’s capabilities, the robot is used to sand an aircraft fuselag, then proceeds to wash and dry off the freshly sanded product.

At the start of the cycle, the robot automatically changes the sandpaper pad – It removes the old pad, attaches a new pad at the paper magazine, then verifies that the new pad’s grit is in the proper condition to sand the fuselage at a paper verification station. Once the paper is verified, the robot proceeds to simulate sanding the fuselage. Based on FANUC’s M-710iC robot series, the FANUC P-350iA/45 offers the same reliability and proven technology of all FANUC products

Once sanding is complete, the robot removes its sanding tool, and connects to a washing applicator to start simulating a wash routine. Once washing is complete, the robot makes a second pass to dry the fuselage with compressed air. The FANUC P-350iA/45 robot is designed for a variety of applications including painting, coating, sanding, and washing, with an IP67 rated wrist for operation in wet conditions. It offers a flexible six-axis design, a slim arm with 2,606 mm reach and is Class 1, Division 1 approved for operation in hazardous environments. This, coupled with its 45 kg payload makes the FANUC P-350iA/45 the strongest industrial robot in the C1/D1 classification.

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