Elevate Your Shop’s Material Handling Practices
Robots, automated storage and retrieval systems, and electric forklift models ensure efficient material handling processes within your shop.
Posted: March 24, 2022
New M-1000iA Robot Designed to Handle Heavy Products
FANUC America (Rochester Hills, MI) offers the M-1000iA robot capable of handling heavy products including automotive components, construction materials and battery packs for electric vehicles. The M-1000iA’s serial-link construction gives the robot a wider range of motion in every direction. It can extend its arm upright or rotate it backwards, which is not possible for typical heavy-payload robots with a parallel-link mechanism. With a 1,000 kg payload, a 3,253 mm horizontal reach, and a 4,297 mm vertical reach, the M-1000iA is ready to go to work for manufacturers looking to increase output and maximize their production line’s efficiency.
Powered by the FANUC R-30iB Plus Controller, the new robot also offers the same intelligence and reliability that FANUC robots are known for including integrated iRVision®, force sensing and zero down time.
Unmanned System Combines Machining Centers and High-Rise AS/RS
Mazak Corp.’s (Florence, KY) MAZATEC Smart Manufacturing System (SMS) combines Mazak’s machining, automation and smart technologies with Muratec’s automated high-density storage and retrieval system. The MAZATEC SMS pairs multiple Mazak Horizontal Machining Centers and/or Multi-Tasking Machines with a Muratec vertically orientated, space-saving stocker-type system that has pallets, a material bucket and high-speed stocker crane. To match each manufacturer’s specific production and floor space needs, the modular system can have up to 150 stockers (in different sizes) in a six-level configuration that increases space efficiency by as much as 67 percent.
Mazak’s SmartBox IIoT technology and Smooth PMC production management software along with Muratec’s automated system control all interconnect/synchronize with a customer’s enterprise resource planning ERP/MRP host and MES execution systems. Companies have a solution for process control, monitoring and optimization in order to produce a variety of workpieces — even in small lot sizes — with extremely high efficiency.
New Cart Solution Doubles the Payload of MiR’s Popular Mobile Robot
ROEQ (Vissenbjerg, Denmark) has launched a top module and carts boosting the payload of the MiR250 robot from 250-to-500 kg. The new ROEQ TMS-C500 Ext and S-Cart500 Ext top module/cart combo enables the robot to carry up to 500 kg payload (1,102 pounds), effectively doubling the payload of Mobile Industrial Robots’ best-selling autonomous mobile robot (AMR). The design of the TMS-C500 Ext top module also allows transportation of larger cargo with up to 1.2 meters (47.2”) length without compromising safety as the emergency stop button is easily accessible. Increased tilt stability is provided by the longer wheelbase of the S-Cart500 Ext.
The S-Cart does not require affixed floor space or docking stations for pickups, which gives businesses flexible use of AMRs in a setup where the robots are not left idling. The TMS-C500 Ext comes with ROEQ Assist software that loads pre-coded missions into the MiR robot, which can then be modified in the MiR interface, resulting in quick and consistent application deployments for robust AMR setups throughout the facility.
Toyota Material Handling Introduces 22 Electric Models
Toyota Material Handling (Columbus, IN) earlier this year unveiled its largest product launch in the company’s history; 22 new electric products. The launch includes 12 new reach truck models, which address warehousing challenges by offering customers tailored solutions for narrow aisles and different picking and put away needs. The four new electric pneumatic forklift models are available in capacities ranging from 3,000-to-17,500 pounds to provide customers with options that combine strength and versatility while helping address sustainability objectives. The new product lineup demonstrates Toyota’s responsiveness to the growing demand for durable, reliable, energy-efficient products with greater versatility and seamless operation across all applications and environments. The product lineup is backed by Toyota’s nationwide dealer network, and the Toyota 360 Support and service guarantee.
DTP Collaborative Robots Ideal for Many Material–Handling Tasks
The 6-axis HC10DTP and HC20DTP collaborative direct teach, plug and play (DTP) robots enrich easy capability for Yaskawa’s (Dayton, OH) HC-series line. Hand-guided programming allows users to direct teach points without a pendant, and an ISO standard tool flange and electrical connections facilitate a plug and play approach for easy deployment of the robot system. The robots are ideal for a variety of collaborative applications including assembly, dispensing, machine tending, material handling, packaging and welding.
Both the HC10DTP and HC20DTP enable humans to safely work with robots. Made of cast aluminum for durability, both robots are IP67-rated and equipped for use in damp or splash-prone environments. The HC10DTP has a 10 kg payload capacity, 1,379 mm maximum reach, 1,200 mm effective reach and ±0.05 mm repeatability. The HC20DTP has a 20 kg payload capacity, 1,900 mm maximum reach, 1,700 mm effective reach and ±0.05 mm repeatability. With an appropriate-sized riser, the HC20DTP is capable of loading or unloading a 40” x 48” pallet (up to 80” tall) without an elevator. Both robots are controlled by the high-performance YRC1000 controller, which uses a standard lightweight teach pendant with intuitive programming.
