Weldex 2003 - New Expert Robots from the Robot Experts
Motoman confirmed its position as the UK's number one supplier of robotic arc welding solutions at Weldex 2003. If you visited Weldex you will have found it hard to miss our stand at the entrance to the show! In addition to demonstrating a synchronous triple robot system and a pallet based ArcSystem we unveiled two new application specific robot models, the ES or "Expert Spot" 165 and the EA or "Expert Arc" 1900.
The ES165 and EA1900 are Motoman's first application specific welding robots. Both models feature integrated cable harnesses and offer the benefits of prolonged cable life, improved performance and improved part access in their respective applications.
ES165 Dedicated Spot Welding Robot
The new high-speed spot welding robot, ES165, provides unmatched performance and reliability in spot welding applications. To increase cable life, enhance safety, and reduce teaching time, the servo gun cables and air and water lines are routed through the robot's base and upper arm to the robot's wrist. The robot's slim compact design allows it to move quickly and more closely to the workpiece.
The ES165 has a 2,651mm reach. The work envelope extends behind the body, allowing tools to be placed at the back and providing easy access to weld guns for maintenance.
The latest servo gun technology is available for use with the ES165, allowing spot welding productivity to be increased by 10 to 15 per cent. The standard turn-key cell is equipped with a 100 kVA, medium frequency gun having a 500 mm throat depth and 1,200 daN electrode force. The PC-based control includes process-specific functions such as gun-on instructions, tip dress counters and electrode wear compensation.
EA1900 Dedicated Arc Welding Robot
Motoman's
high performance, six-axis EA1900 "Expert Arc" welding robot features a patented
internal cabling design that streamlines the robot profile and increases cable
life by reducing wear and eliminating cable interference. This reduces
programming time as well as cycle time by minimising the motion required for
torch orientation.
The EA1900 features a horizontal reach of 1388mm and a vertical reach of 3418mm. The robot's B-Axis features an expanded range of motion which improves circumferential welding on cylindrical workpieces. The T-axis can rotate ±360 degrees without cable interference.
The EA1900's hollow upper arm maintains the optimum bend radius of the welding torch cable, optimising weld performance and extending cable life. Regardless of torch orientation or part size the EA1900 robot prevents bent, pinched or stretched cables, minimising wire feed problems and maximising performance.
For both robots, the Motoman XRC controller features fast processing and an easy-to-use programming language. Advanced robot motion control provides high-performance path accuracy and vibration control. Dynamic acceleration is based on payload, so cycle time is reduced. Programmable acceleration and deceleration eliminates approach points and results in reduced teaching time. The controller offers standard network options for DeviceNet, ControlNet, Profibus-DP, and Interbus-S for easy connection with an information infrastructure.
Other innovations at Weldex
Visitors to Weldex were also able to see a working demonstration of a 3-axis RM2 manipulator working in conjunction with Motoman’s patented, synchronous, triple-robot system, which was shown arc welding vehicle exhausts. New was the inclusion of Miller Auto Invision II inverter power sources, which boost productivity by locally controlling all parameters of the weld. It is necessary only for the Motoman XRC controller to provide ‘arc on’ and ‘arc off’ signals, simplifying integration considerably.
Weldex also marked the national launch of SAWK-350, Motoman's new, air-cooled torch featuring servo-powered, push-pull feeding of aluminium wire at speeds in excess of 34 m/min. Another first was the ArcSystem 2300 with a 3-axis manipulator and an SKS power source. This modular, twin-station cell may be rapidly installed for high productivity arc welding.
Click here to see a photo gallery of Motoman's stand at Weldex>