Product category:
Robotics, Handling and Storage
News Release from: Motoman Robotics (UK) | Subject: UP Series robots
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 14 July 2000
Articulated-arm robots offer larger
envelope
The SK Series of articulated-arm robots from Motoman has been replaced by a new range, designated UP Series.
The SK Series of articulated-arm robots from Motoman has been replaced by a new range, designated UP Series Each model has a significantly larger working envelope than its predecessor
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 14 Jul 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
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Whereas the upper arm of SK robots was controlled via a linkage, UP models have direct drive on all axes, allowing greater speed, accuracy and reliability.
A wider variety of applications may therefore be undertaken in the fields of welding, handling and machining.
There are eight models in the range with load capacities from 6 to 400 kg.
As with all Motoman robots, they enjoy simplicity of programming and smoothness of action together with the backing of a wide range of supporting software.
To illustrate the increased functionality of the robots, the mid-range model UP-130 can carry a payload of 130 kg, 10 kg more than its SK equivalent, and repetitive positioning is twice as accurate at ñ 0.2 mm.
A notable improvement is the reach of the upper arm, which extends from +240o to -130o.
Comparable U-axis movements for the SK model were +35o to -115o.
Improved also are the roll and twist of the wrist which now have full 360o rotation, increasing the robot's dexterity.
Previously, these R and T axes fell a few degrees short of turning full circle.
Speed in all six CNC axes is higher.
For example, the entire robot turns on its own axis nearly one fifth faster at 130o/s, whilst wrist roll is 43 per cent faster at 215o/s.
Part of the reason for this enhanced performance is the lighter 1,300 kg construction, compared with 1,500 kg for the SK.
However, the strength of the UP has not been compromised and indeed it can withstand higher moments of force and inertia in the three lower axes.
Alongside the launch of the UP Series, Motoman has introduced a new, 27-axis controller, the first to be capable of handling three 6-axis robots and synchronising their movements with a variety of other equipment such as gantry systems, linear tracks and rotary indexers.
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