Fanuc’s new lightweight collaborative robot, the CRX-10iA, is now available to UK customers.
The 39kg cobot can aid manufacturers looking to increase productivity while adhering to current social distancing guidelines. Movement automatically stops upon light contact with humans, and if an object is struck hard, the cobot instantly backs away from it. The design provides protection from pinching, making it suitable for production workers, and is certified according to the ISO 10218-1 safety standard.
Andy Armstrong, sales and marketing manager at Fanuc UK, said: “Bringing our lightweight collaborative robot to market, at a time when manufacturers are looking at their production lines and trying to figure out how to adhere to social distancing without impacting productivity, is critical.
“As with all cobots safety is key, but we’ve also made installation and set up as straightforward as possible. An intuitive touchscreen panel allows programming to be done through a ‘drag and drop’ function, which means that those new to automation can create work programs quickly and easily.
“It is even possible to teach the cobot the desired motion sequence though manually guiding it to the appropriate points, which we hope will help to make process as painless as possible for those new to the technology. For those new to collaborative technology, we’ve created a free downloadable eBook on successful cobot implementation.”
According to Fanuc, the CRX-10iA benefits from regular software updates and the ability to add various application updates such as grippers, sensors, or camera, to ensure the cobot can adapt to varying conditions of a production line. Fanuc said it expects all mechanical components to operate maintenance-free for the first eight years of use provided the CRX-10iA is used correctly.
Armstrong added: “UK manufacturing is at a critical juncture, and it is only by introducing automation in processes that we can boost productivity to an internationally competitive level. The CRX-10iA represents an extension of our broad portfolio of industrial robots and automation solutions, ensuring that there is an option for anyone looking to increase the productivity of their business.”
