January 6 , 2006
Welcome to the January 2006 issue of Motoman Direct, containing news, product information, and updates from Motoman Inc. A new section with "Helpful Hints" premieres in this issue to give readers practical advice and programming tips.
Featured Products
HP3C
Series Robots - HP3C, HP5C, HP3LC, and HP3XFC models with NXC100 controller »
These
compact, high-speed robots feature wide working envelopes and 3-kg or
5-kg payloads, making them ideal for small part assembly, dispensing,
packaging, material handling and machine tending applications...
NXC100 Controller
One of the smallest controllers in its class,
the NXC100 is ideal for robotic applications such as small parts handling,
assembly and packaging. Lightweight and compact, the NXC100 easily
mounts under conveyors, in control cabinets or in other small places...
« Four-axis EPL160, EPL300 and EPL500 "Expert
Palletizing" robots
Designed
specifically for palletizing applications, these high-yield manipulators
features 160-kg, 300-kg and 500-kg payloads, making them ideal for many
end-of-line applications...
FabWorld®
FabWorlds
are modular robotic welding solutions designed for use with large parts
that require longer cycle times. Each
FabWorld includes one or two extended-reach robots and includes two workstations
-- one with a headstock/tailstock positioner and another with either
a stationary table or second hs/ts -- plus safety equipment that complies
with the ANSI/RIA R15.06-1999 safety standard...
ArcWorld
C-50 »
One
of a family of solutions designed specifically for welding small to
medium workpieces, the AWC-50 provides an affordable wire-to-weld solution
for light- to medium-volume welding applications with an extremely
compact footprint that requires minimal installation space. The AWC-50
uses a high-speed motorized roll-up door to safeguard a single weld
station with fixed tooling...
Yes, I would like a member of Motoman's sales team to contact me about the above product(s).
Corporate News
« Motoman
President Craig Jennings Awarded 2005 Engelberger Robotics Award for
Leadership
The
robot industry's highest honors, these awards recognize pioneering
individuals who have made significant achievements in the areas of
application, technology development, education, and leadership...
Motoman
Launches E-Commerce Site! »
Motoman is pleased to announce
the launch of our NEW e-commerce site that expands our customers' ability
to place orders on-line beyond training to also include spare parts,
software and manuals. Our NEW e-commerce site features 24/7 on-line tracking
of spare parts delivery and other order status information. Please follow
the link below to complete your registration and begin using the site!
Editorials, Case Studies, & Articles
"Robots
Set Pace at Auto Supplier"
Modern Applications News
- December 2005
Aztec Manufacturing Corporation (Romulus, MI), a full-service
supplier of precision-machined castings and forgings to the automotive
industry, uses several Motoman robotic cells to help the company stay
cost competitive. One application uses robots to load/unload flex
machines ...
"Robotic
Press Tending at Whirlpool"
MetalForming - November 2005
Read
how 21 Motoman among three press lines have enabled a 50-percent jump
in throughput and an equally impressive improvement in quality...
"Close
the Loop to Enrich Customer Satisfaction"
MetalForming - December
2005
This editorial by Brad Kuvin discusses how Motoman's highly successful
customer satisfaction campaign is one to be emulated by all manufacturers
...
"Bartenders
Replaced by Robotics? Robotics Company Markets
Robot Bartender That Doesn't Take Bathroom Breaks"
ABCNews.com
- December 2, 2005
Helpful Hints
Each issue of Motoman Direct will now include "helpful hints" designed to provide bits of practical advice and programming tips that will help our customers maximize the productivity of their Motoman robots.
T-Axis Alignment Issues on UP165 XRC
Problem: A customer notified us that they could not set the home position for the T-axis of their UP165 robot (XRC controller). They would drive the T-axis to its alignment mark and calibrate the home position. Once the T-axis was moved, it would not return to the alignment mark when they would drive the T-axis back to zero pulse counts (using CURRENT POSITION display).
Solution: In order to set the T-axis home position, THE B-AXIS NEEDS TO BE AT HOME POSITION AS WELL. Since the wrist unit is using bevel gears, every time the B-axis moves, the T-axis will also move. In order to compensate for this, Yaskawa Electric Corporation (Motoman's parent company) incorporated what's called "B/T-Axes Compensation." This means that as the B-axis is moved, the T-axis motor will be moved in such a way that the T-axis bevel gear will "walk" around its mating gear to allow the T-axis to maintain its orientation in reference to the B-axis.
XRC Robot Detachment
Problem: A customer had major alarms on an external axis and needed to move the robot arm into a more suitable orientation to allow repairs.
Solution: The XRC controller will allow you to detach a given axis group. For example, if there is a problem with major alarm on an external axis, it is possible to boot up the XRC in maintenance mode and "detach" that axis group. This will allow the controller to return to the normal operating mode without any alarms. While in normal operating mode, the affected axis group is ignored by the XRC controller. This allows us to move the robot out of the way of production or to a more suitable orientation for making repairs. The advantage of using this feature over just reconfiguring the system is that the programmer does not have to enter the configuration data for the affected control group.
T-Axis Drive Failures Related to Programming
Problem: Recently we have seen failures on T-axis drive assemblies related to improperly programmed pick and place points that caused undo wear and tear. The problem usually occurs when the robot is programmed in such a way that the end-of-arm tool is forced into compliance. A good example of this is a press loading application where the robot uses a long tool (long lever).
Solution: Please be aware of this potential problem. Watch the pick and place points and watch for any flex in the tool. If you see any flex in the tool, you should minimize the potential problem by adjusting the programming point(s).
Customer Satisfaction & Training
Motoman
Offers New Training Programs
Starting
January 2006, individual students who complete Robotic Operators, Robotic
Programming, or Robotic Maintenance programs consisting of multiple
IACET-certified classes, will be eligible for significant discounts
on future Motoman training classes. This new program is similar
to the veteran's training program that Motoman has offered since 2002...
Web-Based
Training
Needing
some training but don't have the time to take off work? Consider taking
a user-friendly web-based or computer-based training course. Learn
what you need at times convenient for you. The following self-paced
training courses are currently available for only $300 each: NX Macro
Job, XRC Macro Job, XRC Internal Shock Sensor, XRC Encoder Replacement,
XRC and MRC MARIO (installation and setup). Students receive access
to the training courses for 15 days or 30 accesses -- whichever comes
first. Registration information and course descriptions are available
at http://www.motoman.com/support/training/training.htm or call 937-847-3307
for more details.
Register Online for Motoman Training Classes
You can
now register
for all Motoman training classes in the U.S. and Canada on-line
through Motoman's website.