Kuka says that its new KR Fortec industrial robot delivers versatility in a small footprint. Dynamic performance results in short cycle times,whilea compact shape makes it suitable for tasks such as handling and spot welding. Moreover, the fast KR Fortec tackles all this with low energy consumption.

The KR Fortec is available now, including with an extended arm that handles loads of 240 kg across a reach of 3700 mm. Technically, this heavy-duty robot fits between the KR Quantec and KR Fortec ultra. Cross-model modularisation ensures high transfer of robot series components.

Maximilian Pettkuhn, portfolio manager at Kuka, says:“We developed the KR Fortec to achieve a lower TCO and launch a resource-saving, lightweight product. The new robot is up to 700 kg lighter than its predecessor.”

According to Kuka, the KR Fortec is reliable with a long, trouble-free service life and low maintenance requirements. Furthermore, optimised accessibility makes maintenance work easy and quick. The two in-line wrists adopted from the KR Quantec and KR FortecUltra models are waterproof and dustproof as standard. Beyond that, the KR Fortec can operate between 0-55°C. Several foundry variants are available for harsh and dirty environments.

The working envelope of the KR Fortec is expandable with the KL 4000 linear unit, which is modularly adaptable between 1.5 and 30 m. A further advantage: the KR Quantec also fits on the KL 4000. For co-operation with the KR FortecUltra on the same linear unit,customers shouldselect the KL 5000. This allows users to continue adapting and combining products easily to meet individual requirements.

For further information www.kuka.com

The new SCOPE system from Stäubli will bring many benefits to users of the company’s robot systems. By analysing robot health and stress on the fly, SCOPE produces notifications on upcoming maintenance, thus offering an overview of production assets and delivering better control of OEE.

In short, SCOPE is Stäubli’s secure solution for continuous edge data mining. Edge data is obtained as a result of edge computing processes, performed at or near the physical location of the data source, in this case the customer’s robot fleet.

A solution to monitor, review and analyse production, plus optimise automation and maintenance processes, SCOPE makes it possible to anticipate breakdowns and move closer to achieving the ultimate objective of zero downtime. SCOPE integrates the latest Stäubli technologies, improving the performance of production processes and extending the lifetime of the robot fleet within a single platform.

As a decentralised edge solution, SCOPE ensures that users retain ownership of their data. Stäubli’s open data routing functionalities, via HTTP, WebSocket or MQTT, offer full connectivity to any compatible MES (manufacturing execution system) or ERP (enterprise resource planning) layers for further local investigation or informative tasks such as e-mail or SMS notifications.

In practice, data generated by the robot is recorded and sent to SCOPE 250 times per second. Following data analysis, SCOPE produces an easy-to-understand report. Analysis results are logged to create timelines and trend charts on the SCOPE dashboard. In the event of any deviations in the results, SCOPE can be programmed to send alerts to existing MES or ERP software solutions. Offering the capability to connect with and monitor up to 50 robots, users can view and interrogate status through a series of intuitive dashboard displays.

For further information www.staubli.com

GF Machining Solutions says that its autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) deliver a smart, unmanned and automated factory solution that enhances production processes. The milling, EDM and laser ablation machine tool specialist, and tooling and automation solutions provider, has introduced an automatedsystem to help manufacturers reduce production lead times and improve operational efficiencies.

The company’s AMRs streamline materials handling and the transfer of workpieces, tooling and electrodes between individual cells such as milling, wire EDM, die-sink EDM, parts washing and inspection. This capabilityensures production processes operate smoothy and more effectively, facilitating light-out operations.

Says Martin Spencer, UK managing director for GF Machining Solutions: “AMRs automate and connect different manufacturing processes. They interfaceseamlessly with other robots, automation systems and manufacturing cells, and are specifically aimed at manufacturers operating in high-mix, low-volume environments.”

As the name suggests, AMRs operate autonomously. They can navigate their way around uncontrolled environments without the need for fixed paths or tracks. Using cameras, sensors, laser scanners and sophisticated software to create maps, AMRs can detect obstacles and safely manoeuvre around them by choosing the best alternative route. The result? Accident-free environments, uninterrupted material flow and optimal productivity.

AMRs can perform a variety of tasks at different locations with simple software adjustments. Controlis via the interface or is configurable through fleet control software, which can prioritise orders and assign tasks to AMRs based on their position and availability.GF Machining Solutions says AMRs deliver a safe, flexible and efficient automation solution that can help manufacturers capitalise on lights-out operations.For further information www.gfms.com

Universal Robots (UR), a manufacturer of collaborative robots (cobots), has integrated the Standard Robot Command Interface (SRCI) into its software, making it one of the first cobot vendors to offer this functionality.

The SRCI is a new standard for robotics manufacturers that aims to create a single interface between PLCs and robots. Full integration of SRCI into UR’s software will enhance the connectivity capabilities of the company’s cobots and will ensure customers a frictionless integration with Siemens PLCs, since Siemens is the first – and currently only – PLC vendor supporting SRCI in the automation market.

“By having our robots connect seamlessly to a global industry leader like Siemens, we can now offer our partners and customersfaster integration and higher ease of use,“ saysDaniel Friedman,global director -strategic partnerships at Universal Robots. “We strive to make cobot automation as simple as possible for our customers and this is yet another step in our commitment to provide automation for anyone, anywhere.”

The uniform cross-manufacturer data interface of the SRCI makes robot implementation interoperable, and it standardises definitions and robot commands between UR cobots and Siemens PLCs. This allows for easier and quicker set-up, and simplifies the deployment of UR robots into existing and new Siemens ecosystem-based production lines.

“We are encouraged that cobots from Universal Robots can now be controlled via the SRCI and programmed by Simatic users,” says Rolf Heinsohn, senior VP -factory automation segment control at Siemens. “We want to accelerate factory automation and scale the use of robots in industry by making them simple and available to all our customers’ employees.”
For further information www.universal-robots.com

The igus ReBeL cobot (collaborative robot) now has a humanoid hand made of lubrication-free plastics, making it cost-effective and easy to integrate.ReBeL is a compact and lightweight cobot that makes it possible to enter the world of robotics with relatively low investment, making it suitable for assembly tasks, quality inspectionand in-service applications.

“Since the ReBeL is light and affordable, with a weight of around 8 kg and starting from £4200, it’s usedwidely in applications that humans would normally perform,” says Adam Sanjurgo, low-cost automation manager at Igus UK. “For this reason, we received several customer enquiries for a robotic hand that could easily connect to the ReBeL via plug-and-play.”

The ReBeL finger gripper, which can imitate human hand movements, is available from £2668 and is compatible with all ReBeL models.

“With the new low-cost hand, the ReBeL can perform a wide range of simple humanoid tasks and applications, especially in research and development departments,” says Sanjurgo.

As a point of note, Igus delivers all components directly, including flange mount, cables and the control system. The low price is partly due to the use lubrication-free plastics. The plain bearings in the joints, made of ‘Iglidur’,are not only cost-effective and lubrication-free, but also enable smooth and precise movements of the individual fingers, report Igus.

Extensive testing atthe company’s Cologne laboratory in Germany guarantees long life of the humanoid hand. Igus says it is extremely flexible, with control via various interfaces that include including USB, TTL (5 V) serial and internal scripting.

For further information www.igus.co.uk