FEATURE Robotics
Automating with robots to maximise productivity per square metre
Where space is at a premium, a ceiling-mounted orbital robot can offer a suitable solution. By a team at the Yamaha Robotics FA Section
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tilising factory floorspace efficiently is as important to productivity as choosing the best equipment. Like human
workers, machines such as pick-and- place robots for tasks including packing and palletising need room to move. A keep-out area may also be required, to ensure the safety of any human staff who may be working in the vicinity of the robot. The total working area can be significantly larger than the robot itself, preventing factory floorspace from being used for other purposes. Where incoming items must be moved from a pallet onto a conveyor, a vertically articulated robot can provide a fast and repeatable solution. These are relatively easy to select, install and program. A secure base is required and can be large depending on the moving masses and payload. The robot is usually positioned to the side of the work area, far enough from structures such as conveyors, to allow the robot to articulate and reach the target positions for picking and placing objects. The size and construction of this is determined according to the moving masses and payload. The complete automation solution can occupy a large area.
Managing the floorspace After some time, inevitably, factory real estate needs to be reorganised to introduce new equipment and processes, and as business requirements change. An extra production line may be needed, or more space for storing inventory. Expanding or extending the factory may be practically impossible and moving to larger premises expensive and disruptive. Reclaiming the floorspace around a large, heavy robot can appear an attractive alternative. Indeed, there are several options to consider. Some robots, such as parallel link machines, are designed to be installed directly above their working area and can free up the space to the side of
12 July/August 2024 | Automation Yamaha YK350TW robot
needed to safely install a vertically- articulated robot. Compared to conventional SCARA
robots, a centrally positioned orbital SCARA can do the work of two machines when moving items from one conveyor onto three. The orbital machine occupies considerably less floorspace.
a conveyor otherwise occupied by a vertically-articulated robot. However, these can be tricky to set up. A strong frame is needed to handle the robot’s weight, and the robot may be tall if a long reach is required. The savings gained can be small.
On the other hand, a SCARA robot can allow a smaller footprint, particularly in relation to its load carrying capacity. Choosing a SCARA robot can deliver other advantages such as easier programming, greater z-axis accuracy, and high speed and acceleration. To achieve the greatest possible savings in floorspace, an orbital SCARA robot may be considered. These can utilise space more efficiently than vertically-articulated, parallel-link and conventional SCARA machines. The orbital motion allows access to all points in a circular area beneath the robot and high speed as well as high accuracy, are both achieved. The arm movement range can be limited if required, to allow use in extremely small spaces. When picking items from a pallet, an orbital SCARA mounted directly above the work area can save much of the space
Small but mighty A system integrator working with Yamaha Robotics found that the YK-TW series orbital SCARA series expanded the company’s opportunities to build more compact solutions to fulfil end-users’ requirements. Choosing a YK-TW model with a payload of 5kg and a large movement reach to pick items from large pallets while occupying a compact overall working area. The chosen model has extremely low height of just 392mm and weighs just 27kg. Taking advantage of the properties of this orbital SCARA, the team was able to deliver a uniquely space-efficient solution that led, ultimately, to a winning tender. The range of motion allows the orbital SCARA to be installed within the area of the conveyor thereby eliminating any need for safety guards. With the on its gantry, the total height of the the orbital robot contributes towards a more comfortable environment for people to work in, without feeling dominated by large robots.
automationmagazine.co.uk
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