Fanuc enters new era of collaborative technology with first lightweight cobot
20 December 2019
With a view to tackling global skills shortages and the need to increase production flexibility, Fanuc has launched its first ever lightweight collaborative robot, the CRX-10iA.
While all six models in Fanuc’s current ‘green’ CR series of collaborative robots are closely based on the company's proven and widely used industrial robots, the new CRX-10iA collaborative robot is a completely new category. Launched at iREX, the world’s largest robot trade show, in Tokyo, the CRX-10iA is intended to broaden the scope of collaborative work able to be undertaken between robots and manufacturing employees.
Unlike Fanuc’s existing CR series of collaborative robots, the brand new CRX-10iA is significantly lighter, weighing just 39kg. As such, it can be easily installed across a broad range of applications such as driverless transport systems and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).
The CRX-10iA is available in two different variants: a standard-arm version with a reach of 1,200mm and as a long-arm version with a maximum reach of 1,400mm. Both variants have a maximum payload of 10kg. Underneath the CRX-10iA’s ergonomic frame lies a fully-functioning industrial robot built to the quality standards synonymous with Fanuc.
A new innovation unique to the CRX-10iA is the ability to replace the Teach Pendant with a tablet computer, which increases ease-of-use thanks to a new user interface. Its intuitive operation will not only be of use to new users, such as the growing number of small and medium-sized companies looking to scale up their automation; but can also cut set-up times for more experienced users, such as those in the automotive industry.
As with all models in Fanuc’s existing CR series, the CRX-10iA can be equipped with a vision system to enable autonomous loading and unloading of containers or shelving systems. The model on display at iREX showcased this ability by loading metal blocks into a ROBODRILL machine tool using a 3D vision sensor.
The CRX-10iA will be available to European customers from mid-2020.
For more information on Fanuc UK’s range of robots and automation solutions, please visit: https://www.fanuc.eu/uk/en.
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