posted 27.11.2024

FANUC Introduces 500 kg Payload Robot with Wide Motion Range

New M-950𝑖A/500 serial-link robot brings versatility to heavy lifting tasks

The new FANUC M-950𝑖A/500 is a large and heavy-payload industrial robot with a wide motion range thanks to its serial-link configuration. Serial link means there is no interference of the main J3 arm with the J2 arm due to the absence of a supporting mechanism present in parallel-link robots. Serial-link robots therefore provide a much wider range of motion and more versatility in lifting and handling operations. The rotation of the J3 axis on the M-950𝑖A/500 is an impressive 395°, supported by a payload of 500 kg and a reach of 2830 mm.

An ultra-strong 3-axis wrist with high torque and high inertia backs-up the robot’s heavy-payload rating. With so much strength and versatility, the FANUC M-950𝑖A/500 will be of great interest to the automotive industry. Applications include the handling of large castings such as engine blocks, EV batteries as well as car body panels. FANUC’s 𝑖RVision fully-integrated visual detection system and various intelligent features simplify the production of diversified products. The robot can also support tasks like friction stir welding, drilling and riveting.

Maximising Efficiency: Extended Rotation and Operating Area

Process flexibility arrives courtesy of the robot’s J3 arm, which can stand upright above and rotate backwards of the serial link robot. The J3 axis rotation of 395° is some 75% more than the 224° available from the comparable FANUC M-900𝑖B/360 parallel-link robot. A large operating area, including the space over and behind the M-950𝑖A/500, makes it possible to use the new robot in various layout configurations in line with specific customer requirements.

To provide a simple explanation of serial/parallel link, each joint of a serial-link robot connects to the next in line. This design means that the arm is able to reach as far as the sum of all links and provide a wider range of motion in both vertical and longitudinal directions. The human arm is a form of serial link since its joints - shoulder, arm and wrist - align in series.

A common alternative for heavy-payload robots is the parallel-link concept, where the primary axes have concurrent prismatic joints. Parallel industrial robots are therefore extremely strong but typically offer a smaller working envelope. It is similar to someone trying to move both arms around with the restriction of having his or her fingers interlocked.

Precision and Power

The three main axes (J1-J3) of the efficient M-950𝑖A/500 move at up to 100° per second, making it a fast and strong option for heavy part lifting, heavy palletising/packaging and demanding material handling operations. Facilitating this speed is FANUC’s high-performance AC servomotor drive system. Positioning accuracy is ±0.08 mm. A FANUC Accuracy and Stiffness Enhancement Option is also available for applications that require even higher precision or where external forces are likely to act on the robot.

In addition to the user-friendly FANUC 𝑖Pendant as a teaching device, the
M-950𝑖A/500 connects to the company’s R-30𝑖B Plus controller with FANUC 𝑖HMI, set-up guides for programming and large memory capacity.

The new FANUC M-950𝑖A/500 complements the company’s existing M-1000𝑖A serial-link robot with 1000 kg payload and 3253 mm reach, thus providing more choice to production engineers seeking versatility in heavy handling tasks. FANUC also offers two parallel-link models as part of the same line-up: the M-900𝑖B/700 with 700 kg payload and 2832 mm reach; and the M-900𝑖B/360, which offers a 360 kg payload and a 2655 mm reach.