At ProMat in Chicago, Fanuc America displayed a variety of robotic solutions that can be used in packaging and manufacturing.

Fanuc showed the power of its new controller, robotic and vision solutions for tote consolidation, high payload depalletizing, and infused new technology for cart-to-cart palletizing and depalletizing of medium-sized packages.

Controller capabilities

At the core of each demonstration was Fanuc’s new R-50iA controller, which offers vision enhancements and a five-million-pixel resolution waterproof camera. Additional key features of the controller include:

·        Sustainability: Incorporates low power use to minimize energy consumption.

·        Connectivity: Easily connects to Ethernet and smartphones for service support, remote maintenance, and software downloads.

·        Cybersecurity: Secures data exchanges, including file transfers, web communications, or the Internet of Things (IoT), and includes a password-based user authentication.

By combining these capabilities, the R-50iA controller, which is available in three cabinet sizes, can optimize performance, connectivity, and security for industrial robotics. 

Robotics and vision systems for load handling

Making its debut at ProMat, Fanuc introduced its tote consolidation cell with its M-10/12-14D, a small payload handling robot that weighs 130 kilograms and improves throughput while enhancing worker safety and experience.

“This is the M-10iD, and it’s doing this tote consolidation process. We have this new R-50iA controller, and that’s controlling everything that’s happening here,” said Stacey Harimoto, senior engineer at Fanuc America, during an interview with Packaging OEM.

To support the tote consolidation process, the robot uses a combination of vision technology and radio frequency identification (RFID) scanning.

“I have these Fanuc 2D vision camera packages with an integrated LED. They’re looking at the sides of the bins to read the barcodes, that way I can identify exactly which bin I have in front of me, and all of the items that should be inside this bin,” said Harimoto. “I’m using an open platform communications unified architecture (OPC UA) to communicate with my server, that’s what’s letting me know what items should be in the bin.”

After identifying the correct object, the robot switches to 3D vision to locate a suitable object to pick.

“I’m using our 3D vision sensor, this is our 3DV 600, and it’s looking for a pickable object. Any surface, any point – it could be a flat object, it could be round, it could be a bagged item, it could be a plush toy,” said Harimoto, presenting the system’s versatility. “Whatever it may be, we’re using our vision to identify a spot to pick.”

With the M-10/12-14D, a slim cable-integrated arm is paired with a hollow wrist assembly to provide easy operation, even in small work areas.

High payload depalletizing

Fanuc also showcased its new full-layer depalletizing system, which features its M-410/800F-32C industrial robot, providing high-payload palletizing and equipped with an R-50iA controller.

“Some of the big benefits of this robot are the payload,” said Steven Utz, robotics engineer for Fanuc America, during a demonstration. “This will do up to 800 kilograms of payload.”

To flex its muscle, Fanuc showcased its ability by having the robot move 160 kg of water on the show floor at ProMat.

“We’re going one layer at a time,” said Utz, referring to the palletized cases of water. “We’re showing it off with this Schmalz gripper, which allows you to really get a lot of throughput, even when you’re moving a heavy product.”

The robot is part of the company’s M-410 series, offering high operating speeds and wrist movements. An optional feature includes a servo hand that is controlled by 6 axes servo motors.

“The throughput gripper is really nice, and it allows a lot of flexibility. You can adjust it for different products, heights, and sizes,” said Utz.

Plus, it works with PalletPro, Fanuc’s software, to build, debug, and test palletizing applications – even without needing the internet. The data generated can be downloaded to a robot controller containing the PalletTool software.

Built to stack medium packages

Combining the power of the original M-710 robot and the R-50iA controller, Fanuc integrated new technology to build its M-710/50-26D curved-arm industrial robot. That performs cart-to-cart palletizing and depalletizing.

“We have had the M-710 robot for a couple of decades now, but this new M-710 is completely enclosed on its joints and has a curved inner arm, enabling it to reach further down in the case as it has to go over a part, such as a pallet,” said Larry Marino, account manager for Fanuc America. “This is a newer, larger robot that was engineered and designed specifically to handle medium-sized packages.”

It’s equipped with a vision sensor that captures 3D images over a Z-axis range of 2 meters to provide a maximum scannable field of view of 2700 millimeters, ideal for bin picking or line tracking parts.

“We’re using our 3DV/1600 technology to locate the boxes… homogenous parts really don’t affect this camera,” said Marino.

It works with PalletPro software and is suitable for a variety of applications beyond pick-and-place palletizing, including assembling, material handling, and removal.

Learn more about Fanuc America

In addition to the products exhibited at ProMat, Fanuc offers a variety of robots for various applications. Click here to learn more.

If you missed ProMat, view our photo gallery to catch up on the innovations showcased.