FHS-JULAUG24-PG18+19_Layout 1 07/08/2024 10:02 Page 19
AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS
Figure 4. Compact de-palletising automation based on orbital SCARA.
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 as in figure 4 can save much of the space needed to safely install a vertically articulated robot like the example shown in figure 1. In addition, compared to the parallel link machine used for aligning random items, shown in figure 2, an orbital SCARA can save more space as seen in figure 5. 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, as figure 6 shows. 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 5 kg and a large
Figure 5. Orbital SCARA saves the orange-shaded area that a parallel link robot would need to perform the same function.
movement range of φ1,000mm ensured enough reach to pick items from large pallets while occupying a compact overall working area. The chosen model has extremely low height of just 392 mm and weighs just 27 kg. 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. As figure 7 shows, 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 conveyor height of 900 mm and the 600 mm total height of the robot mounted on its gantry, the total height of the installation is about 1.5 metres. Assuming a typical human-worker’s height of 1.7 metres, the orbital robot contributes towards a more comfortable environment for people to work in without feeling dominated by large robots. In addition, Yamaha can supply a dedicated mounting bracket for YK-TW robots that relieves engineering teams of laborious strength calculations and significantly reduces project development time.
Figure 7. The orbital SCARA saves floorspace, eliminates safety guards, and achieves a low overall height.
Figure 6. Orbital SCARA for accurately placing randomly positioned items on multiple conveyors.
CONCLUSION Orbital SCARA robots can help save space in factories and also permit a lower overall equipment height compared to vertically articulated robots as well as other space-saving options such as parallel link and conventional SCARA robots. In projects where saving floorspace has a high priority, orbital SCARA can be operationally efficient and permit a fast project turnaround.
Yamaha Factory Automation Section
www.yamaha-motor-robotics.eu
FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS | JULY/AUGUST 2024 19
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