Citation
(2002), "Packing a punch", Work Study, Vol. 51 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ws.2002.07951aab.006
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2002, MCB UP Limited
Packing a punch
Packing a punch
FANUC Robotics introduced the FANUC M-420iA intelligent packing robot at the Worldwide Food Show last October. This new robot is a four-axis, mid-size articulated robot with a payload of 40kg. It is also available in a two-axis model. Designed for high-speed packaging and material handling applications, the M-420iA is claimed to be 25 percent faster and can carry 30 percent more weight than competitive robots in its class. The M-420iA can achieve cycle rates of 50 packaging cycles per minute at 30kg, the fastest motion in its class. At Worldwide Food, the new M-420iA was integrated into a small packaging line to show both its high-speed capabilities and its flexible four-axis articulation. The M-420iA packaged small food containers at a rate of 50 cans per minute, picking one unit at a time. Once a full tray was accumulated, the robot moved the containers to a second packaging area to show its four-axis dexterity, which is necessary for vision and line tracking integration. The M-420iA uses the latest R-J3iB robot controller, a proven, reliable and efficient solution for intelligent robot motion control. The R-J3iB's process capabilities and open architecture features improve application and motion performance while simplifying system integration. The M-420iA is available with several options that provide intelligence to the robot including SimPRO (offline programming simulation software), 2D and 3D vision sensors, force sensors, line tracking and collision detection. FANUC Robotics' VisTRAC vision guided line tracking software is an optional feature of the new M-420iA. VisTRAC allows the robot to pick products from a conveyor (visual picking), track and pick products from a moving conveyor (visual tracking), or identify the location of boxes or cases (visual positioning). Intelligence through vision further maximizes flexibility and minimizes system costs due to the reduction of fixtures required in traditional packing or machine tending systems.