Manufacturers can now process even heavier workpiece applications in narrow locations thanks to FANUC’s latest addition to its collaborative robot portfolio, the CR-14iA/L.
The CR-14iA/L fills the gap between FANUC’s small and medium-sized six-axis collaborative robots, and can handle payloads of up to 14kg – twice that of the low-footprint CR-7iA model – with a reach of up to 820mm, from just a 296.5mm x 235mm footprint. However, the robot’s reach can be also be extended to up to 911mm, provided the payload is 12kg or below.
The CR-14iA/L benefits from the same integrated sensors and highly responsive ‘touch-to-stop’ reactive functionality as the rest of FANUC’s green ‘cobot’ range. As such, if the arm comes into contact with a fixed object or person, it gently stops and retracts. A safety system ensures that the robot stops at a maximum of 150N, however this can be reduced even further if required.
Crucially, the kinematics and flexibility of the slim-profile CR-14iA/L allow it to work close to the robot base, thus making the best use of the available workspace, especially in narrow applications.
The new addition offers excellent repeatability of ± 0.01 mm, and has maximum travel speed of 500 mm/sec. It is controlled by the familiar R-30iB Plus controller in the Mate Cabinet version, and is also certified to international standard ISO 10218-1. The CR-14iA/L is protected to IP standards 54 and 67 in the body and wrist respectively.
Andy Armstrong, Sales & Marketing Manager for FANUC UK, comments: “For a small robot, the CR-14iA/L has a comparatively long reach. This means that it can be used not only for applications in limited spaces, but also for those for which a heavier payload is an advantage, such as when loading and unloading machines.
“As with all FANUC collaborative robots, the CR-14iA/L is fully safety-certified, and eliminates the need for perimeter guarding to facilitate a much closer working relationship with human operators. We are increasingly seeing more interest from UK manufacturers in relation to collaborative robotics, and this most recent addition to our portfolio represents the ideal solution of for a variety of small-space applications, from pick-and-place through to full machine-tending.”
To find out more about FANUC’s range of collaborative robots, please visit: www.fanuc.eu/uk/
