Posted to News on 19th Feb 2021, 09:10
Versatile robots aimed at productivity boost
YASKAWA is fixing its sights on smaller, flexible industrial robots, designed to meet the rapidly-changing manufacturing environment
The significant advances in automation taking place are due, in part, to the expanding 3C markets, some of which are being driven by the unprecedented production demands associated with the current pandemic, says motion control and robotics specialist YASKAWA.
“The new MOTOMAN GP4 6-axis small industrial robot meets these requirements and is a natural ‘fit’ within the established range of Yaskawa smaller robots,” it states. “It provides a payload capacity of 4kg, a maximum reach of 550mm and represents a good example of a compact and versatile robot ideally suited for assembling, transporting, boxing, sorting and inspecting small parts in industrial applications.”
The GP4 is reported to achieve the highest performance in its class, with a 163% faster synthesis speed as a result of the increased maximum speed capacity of each of the 6 axis (compared to the previous Motoman-MH3F model). “This reduces the tact time and contributes to improving customer productivity. Thanks to maximising its reach, the effective motion area in the vicinity of the robot is expanded helping to improve accessibility to the workpiece whilst saving valuable space.”
Dust-proof/drip-proof
The GP4 benefits from a dust-proof/drip-proof smooth arm surface, including all 6 axis, which meets the international protection code rating of IP67 as defined by the IEC (International Electro-Technical Commission). This reduces the accumulation of dust and liquid, so the GP4 can be used in harsh environments and also for hygienic applications requiring wash-down.
Reduced set-up time and optimised emergency response is on the wish-list of most automation engineers, so the single power supply cable will be appreciated, adds YASKAWA. “When a wire is broken, the programming pendant instantly displays the fault, helping to speed-up emergency response and also simplifying maintenance.”
The addition of the new GP4 robot complements Yaskawa’s existing range of small robots to six options, covering a payload capability from as little as 0.5kg and a reach of 350mm, up to 8kg and a reach of 1000mm.
