Lighter, faster and more energy efficient robots
KUKA says its QUANTEC robots are up to 160kg lighter and 25 per cent smaller, making them the most compact and powerful in their class. The range comprises four models: Ultra for payloads up to 300kg; Prime for payloads of up to 240kg; Extra for payloads up to 210kg and Pro for up to 120kg payloads. Reach is from 2,500mm to 3,100mm.
Europe’s largest robot manufacturer says that not only has it used lighter components to improve performance, but also that it has achieved greater accuracy from a new streamlined design and more slender robot wrist for repeatability of ±0.06mm. “The QUANTEC range represents a major step change in automation,” explains Jeff Nowill, KUKA’s UK general sales manager. “Making systems more powerful by way of adding more or larger components is now a thing of the past. The trend is towards maximum availability by means of intelligent reduction of assemblies and replacement of proprietary hardware with flexible software.”
All models are based on common parts with just four motor and gear unit variants, identical tool flange on the wrist and a universal hole pattern for the mounting base in line with KUKA’s previous best-selling 2000 range, which ensures the new robots are fully compatible with existing cell layouts. “The starting point is a systematic concept that makes it possible to select exactly the right robot; so exactly, in fact, that no investment is made in unnecessary payload capacity,” adds Jeff. “QUANTEC robots are specially engineered to match a customer’s specific requirement with maximum flexibility at the system planning and design stage, ensuring less conceptual and design work, and greater planning security.”
He continues: “They are able to set new standards in technically and economically key areas such as accuracy, energy efficiency and performance, precisely because of KUKA’s philosophy of intelligent reduction of assemblies and of the moving mass.”
In line with its objective of eliminating the need for restrictive hardware, KUKA has launched its new KR C4 all-in-one system, which integrates robot, motion, sequence and process control. KUKA says it has succeeded in implementing unprecedented performance entirely on the basis of open industrial standards such as multi-core architecture and Gigabit Ethernet.
KUKA has also produced a lightweight touch-screen smartPAD operator panel, which not only offers established functions such as a 6D mouse, but also new user-friendly features including a USB port for saving and loading data directly on to the control unit.
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