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[March 2002]
New Robot from FANUC
FANUC Robotics North America Inc (Rochester Hills, MI, USA) has introduced the M-16iB robot. The new six-axis robot is the latest generation, general-purpose robot designed to support a variety of medium payload manufacturing and system processes for machine load/unload, palletising packing, water-jet cutting, material removal, welding, laser cutting, dispensing, parts cleaning and testing operations.The company says that the M-16iB features the highest motion speeds in its class for maximum performance and productivity. An increase of 208mm in stroke along with an increase of 62mm in reach are said to give it the largest working envelope in its class.
The robot's wrist has been reduced by 14% and the arm by 6%, allowing it to reach into extremely compact working areas. While the wrist and arm are smaller, the robot has enhanced loading capabilities. The wrist payload has been increased from 16kg to 20kg, putting it at the top of its class, says FANUC.
Wrist moments have been increased by 12% to 25% along with wrist inertia, which has been increased by 4% to 26%. Rigidity and stiffness have also been increased to enhance the robot's performance in path-intensive processes. In addition, the height of the M-16iB has been reduced by 178mm, providing more available work space.
"Manufacturers will appreciate the compact, flexible design of the M-16iB robot," said Virgil Wilson, product manager for FANUC Robotics. "Its new design allows the robot to accommodate larger parts in the work envelope. This means that no other robot in its class can carry as large and heavy of a payload."
The M-16iB uses FANUC's new R-J3iB Controller, which has the highest performance ever for FANUC robot controllers with increased processing speed, memory, I/O and communication processor enhancements over the previous R-J3 Controller. User applications programs written for the R-J3 will run on the R-J3iB with little or no modifications, protecting customers' investments in engineering developed using the R-J3 family of products.
The robot also supports the new i Pendant, an innovative colour graphic user interface device to the FANUC SYSTEM R-J3iB Controller that is based on internet technology.
"The M-16iB is engineered to provide maximum value and versatility," said Wilson. "This amazing new robot is at the top of its class for every major specification."
ENDS