SCARA robot suited to heavy duty applications
TM Robotics (Europe) has launched the new Toshiba Machine TH1200A SCARA robot – the new robot is the largest in the Toshiba Machine family. The company says the new robot will find uses in heavy duty pick and place applications, such as packaging and heavy materials handling.
The TH1200A has an impressive payload of 20kg and an arm length of 1200mm, meaning it can take on even the most arduous handling task without breaking a sweat. Repeatability on the Z-axis is ±0.02mm and, as a result, the robot’s recurring accuracy can compete with a machine vastly inferior in size. A composite maximum speed of 7.9m/s is sufficient for most large handling applications, as is a typical cycle time of 0.57 seconds. Absolute encoder positioning detection helps ensure that accuracy is maintained throughout the cycle.
The new robot is controlled by the Toshiba Machine TS3100 controller, which features a built-in Ethernet port, making conveyor and vision synchronisation simple. This presents the opportunity to reduce capital expenditure on the robot cell by sharing vision from a single camera across multiple robots. Another advantage is that the resultant, perfectly synchronised, automation can reduce the damage rate on the line; further increasing profitability.
The TS1300 controller also includes a built-in TCmini PLC, which allows control of I/O equipment, regardless of operation and program. This creates the opportunity to turn the robot into the control centre of the entire cell. “The net effect of the control system is greater efficiency and productivity,” enthused Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics. “Combine this with savings in vision technology and the resultant, easy to implement, package could be a genuine financial boom to anyone operating a heavy materials handling process.”
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