Fanuc UK to demonstrate open network capabilities at MACH 2018
22 February 2018
Fanuc UK will demonstrate its next-generation automated capabilities, alongside its latest advances in robotics, RoboMachines, drives, and controls, at its fully-connected stand during this year’s MACH exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham.
“Our theme this year is ‘Connectivity’,” says Andrew Armstrong, Fanuc UK’s sales and marketing manager. “Alongside a selection of our most recent product launches, many of which will be making their UK debut at MACH, we will also be demonstrating Fanuc’s capabilities within the emerging markets of artificial intelligence, Industry 4.0 and the IoT.”
The stand, which will include a range of robot models across Fanuc’s collaborative, SCARA, and machine-tending portfolios, will be connected via a single software platform: the MT-Linki. This scalable operation management tool, which was first unveiled at EMO last year, will collect, monitor and display the data of every machine on the stand, in an easy-to-digest format for all visitors to see.
“The MT-Linki represents an easy and cost-effective way to connect and monitor machines on the factory floor,” says Andrew. “The technology is scalable, with a connection capability of up to 100 machines per server. The data, which can be collected via a dedicated Collector PC software, can then be used to optimise production processes, maximise machine usage, or diagnose potential problems, all without having to visit the factory floor.
“This software will be joined by Fanuc’s Zero Downtime technology, which was also unveiled at EMO. The ZDT will demonstrate Fanuc’s abilities within condition monitoring: an arguably quick and easy win for manufacturers looking to adopt Industry 4.0.”
Three of the cells connected by MT-Linki will showcase Fanuc’s RoboMachine capabilities within electronic discharge machining and vertical milling.
The ROBOCUT C800iB, which is the largest of Fanuc’s wire EDMs, will be making its UK debut as part of a gear-cutting and hole-drilling cell, and will be equipped with both a Fanuc CCR rotary table, and a bonding alloy Pentron attachment.
The C800iB is suited to high-capacity, complex cutting requirements, and is capable of working, without human interference, for extended periods of time. This is due to its automatic wire feeding functions and Core Stitch technology, a software that allows operators to plan cutting jobs, and increase unmanned machining hours.
The two ROBODRILL cells will demonstrate Fanuc’s industry partnerships for enhanced capability. The D21LiB model will be integrated with a NIKKEN 5AX-DD200BF2 direct drive 5-axis unit to cut a special-edition World Cup trophy out of brass.
The a-DiB5 ADV, which represents the latest advanced series of the ROBODRILL machining centre, will be paired with a Fanuc robot, and equipped with a Renishaw Equator. The Equator will demonstrate a no-fault-forward functionality, by analysing machined parts and correcting any perceived decline in part quality, without disrupting production.
Andrew Armstrong says: “We’re particularly excited about our ROBOCUT and ROBODRILL cells, which will provide a full demonstration of Fanuc’s automated, connected capabilities. We’re also pleased to be partnering with Renishaw and Nikken, amongst others, for MACH 2018. This will show how Fanuc can offer bespoke services and enhanced capabilities, depending on the customer’s requirements.”
Also making its UK debut will be a laser cutting cell featuring the latest integrated CO2 and fibre laser systems from Fanuc. As well as offering high performance and reliability, Fanuc CO2 and fibre lasers are compact, easy-to-use and cost-effective. They also use the same hardware systems, which means the laser source can be swapped out when required for maximum flexibility.
Andrew says: “The Fanuc brand often gets aligned to one of our product portfolios, whether that’s CNC or robots. We hope that visitors to MACH will realise the true extent of what we can offer, from our robots and RoboMachines, right the way through to our enhanced machine-to-machine capabilities.”
Fanuc will be exhibiting in Hall 19, stand 610, from 9 to 13 April. Sales representatives will be available for one-to-one meetings and consultations. To book an appointment, please visit http://www.fanuc.eu/uk/en/mach2018-book-your-meeting.
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