The ARCMate 100iD/10L can be used to boost the productivity of high-batch production lines, particularly those working with pieces larger than 1,500mm ø. Its repeatability and quality-control capability make it a particularly valuable addition to production lines that must meet high-volume orders in which the quality and function of the weld are critical.

To cope with increased production demands, the ARCMate 100iD/10L also has capacity for 10kg of additional tooling, such as welding torches.

“Subcontractors that use bigger workpieces should not have to compromise on weld quality or integrity,” says Tom Bouchier, Managing Director of FANUC UK. “Neither should they feel that the welding robot market is closed to them because of space limitations. In fact, the new ARCMate has been designed specifically with these limitations in mind.”

Despite its higher workpiece capacity, the robot’s footprint is small – around 343 x 343mm - with a compact, articulated design for easy reach into narrow spaces within machine tools or jigs. It can also be mounted either upside-down or at an angle and routes all cables and welding hosepipes internally in order to maximise its use of space.

Tom continues: “In other words, the robot can fit around you, and not the other way around. This is not the only case for investment: increased weld integrity, higher output, reduced downtime and more effective use of personnel are all reasons why you should consider a welding robot.”

Further ROI can be achieved through harnessing the robot’s integrated software. The R-30iB Plus controller, for example, guides an operator through set-up and programming. Manufacturers can also maintain the productive capacity of the robot through the use of Zero Downtime, an intelligent maintenance scheduling and status prediction tool.

FANUC offers a number of optional extras that can unlock the full potential of the ARCMate. Dual Check Safety, for example, reduces the space requirements of robot cells even further, and minimises the risk of injury or damage to workers, workpieces and other machinery. Operators can also install WELDPro, an application-specific addition to the ROBOGUIDE software, which allows operators to define ARC welding parameters via a part’s CAD design.

“Investing in a welding robot can be a big step for many manufacturers,” Tom says. “By making the most of its intelligent functions, however, customers should start to see significant returns a lot sooner than they had expected.”

For more information on FANUC’s latest ARC welding robots, please visit https://www.fanuc.eu/uk/en/robots/robot-filter-page/arc-welding.

Source: Control Engineering Europe - All Articles
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