Increased capacity palletising robots
Capable of operating 2050 cycles per hour with a 130kg payload is the claim of Kawasaki Robotics for its new CP range of palletising robots. Three new models make up the CP range, offering maximum payloads of 180, 300 and 500kg.
High throughput, a wide working range and ease of programming are attributes that position the range competitively in the market. By reducing robot weight by up to 38% over the range it replaces, and enhancing the drive mechanism for the arm’s rotation (joint 1), payload capacities have been increased in line with overall performance.
Ian Hensman, Kawasaki Robotics’ sales and marketing manager points out that the new arm offers the optimal flexibility demanded by manufacturers and food processors today: “The CP Range robots rank as best in class when running the standard industry takt test for large robots; 400 mm up, 2000 mm horizontal and 400mm down. Having the ability to increase palletising speeds when production demands is a bonus and added to the large palletising volume of 1800 by 1600mm and height 2200mm users are provided with a wide working range.
“Supporting the high performance of the CP Range are the ‘Green Credentials’ that it offers. We’ve concentrated on making this robot low energy and easy to maintain; more than 90% of all components across the range are identical allowing customers to reduce their parts handling and storage requirements. An integrated hybrid function stores energy from braking utilising it for acceleration and lowering energy consumption overall.”
The CP Range is supplied with the compact Kawasaki E03 controller which is ideal for locating under a conveyor in normally redundant space. Straight-forward programming is also offered when the optional K-SPARC palletising software is used. This enable programmes to be generated offline by selecting the work-piece, pallet and stowage pattern; layout planning and operating simulations can also be performed enabling optimisation of the palletising operation.
