Overhead Robotic Machine Tending System with Modular Robot on Rail (RoR) Layout – FANUC America

Robotic machine tending: https://www.fanucamerica.com/home/ind... Traditional gantry and conveyor systems have long been an expensive and inflexible solution for large-scale machine tending, with a variety of imitations versus what a robotic machine tending system can offer. FANUC America developed this modular robot on rail (or RoR) system to provide customers with a flexible solution for machine tending that also provides tremendous cost savings and the high reliability of FANUC robots. This overhead robotic machine tending solution reduces initial capital costs in several ways. Since the FANUC robots provide six or seven axes of dexterity, simple, low-cost end of arm tooling can be used to handle the parts – This, versus a gantry which requires expensive EOATs with multiple axes. It also eliminates the need for costly part re-orient devices built into the machine fixtures or conveyors. With a robotic layout, the robot can perform other processes such as palletizing or inspection. In the event of decommissioning, any RoR can easily be re-configured and re-deployed for a completely different application, while gantries would have to be disposed of. A dual RoR setup can load and unload machines faster than an “H” style gantry, can service both top and front load machines under the same beam, and allows for service of machines on both sides of a rail. The orange carriage beneath the RoR can be equipped with a part nest for part storage or buffering that moves with the robot. In-process buffers are included with the rails, eliminating the need for floor mounted conveyors. This results in an open floorspace and reduces price, maintenance points, points of failure and utility costs. The RoR overhead robotic machine tending solution also provides several process improvements and efficiencies. This modular setup has been proven to service five machines in less time than a conveyor system can service four machines due to removing the pick and place process at the conveyor. It improves layout flexibility, and allows for quality control stations after each operation via a two-position pneumatic shuttle. RoR’s eliminate costly pallet and conveyor changes, are more suitable for running multiple part types, and can be redeployed to run future part types much more easily than a gantry system. Finally, an RoR machine tending solution reduces capital costs and scheduling. Machine density increased from four to five machines allowing a reduction in machine tending rails from three to two because of cycle improvements. The system reduces installation and startup time by eliminating the conveyor vendor, the conveyor interface, and utilizing one set of controls hardware for three rails. Installation time and cost of an RoR solution are greatly reduced versus a gantry, because gantry systems require precise laser installation. Scheduling is reduced, in that an RoR system reduces upfront engineering, simulations and proposal time. This normal three to four week process is reduced by approximately two weeks due to standardized layouts, controls, and costs. Ease of robot installation, kitting of additional RoR’s and a common controls structure reduces the installation & start-up time-frame by approximately one to two weeks. Combined with FANUC’s world-renowned quality, service and support, several ease-of-use features including FANUC Collision Guard, SoftFloat and Dual Check Safety, make this an ideal solution for modular machine tending. Please visit http://www.fanucamerica.com today to learn more about FANUC America’s full range of machine tending robotic solutions.