The new FANUC M-950ðA/500 is a large, heavy-payload industrial robot with a wide range of motion thanks to its serial-link connection configuration. Serial-link connection means that there is no interference between the main arm J3 and arm J2, as there is no support mechanism of a parallel connected robot. Thus, the serial link robot offers a much larger range of motion and more versatility in lifting and handling tasks. The M-950ðA/500’s J3 axis rotation is an astounding 395°, supporting a payload of 500kg and a reach of 2830mm.
The super strong, high torque, high inertia 3-axis wrist supports the robot’s high payload capacity. The FANUC M-950ðA/500 will be of great interest to the automotive industry due to its superior performance and versatility. Applications include handling of body parts as well as large castings such as engine blocks, EV batteries, etc. FANUC’s fully integrated visual recognition system ðRVision and various intelligent functions simplify the production of a wide range of products. The robot can also perform tasks such as friction stir welding, drilling and riveting.
Maximize efficiency: Increased rotation and working range
Process flexibility is achieved by the robot’s J3 arm, which can rotate upright and backwards on the serial connected robot. The 395° of J3 axis rotation is approximately 75% greater than the 224° available on the comparable FANUC M-900ðB/360 parallel link robot. The large working area, including the space above and behind the M-950ðA/500, allows the new robot to be used in a variety of layout configurations depending on specific customer requirements.
A simple explanation of serial/parallel connection is that each joint of a serially connected robot is connected to the next joint in the series. This design means that the arm can reach up to the sum of all the joints, providing a larger vertical and longitudinal range of motion. The human arm is a type of serial-link connection, as the shoulder, arm and wrist joints are arranged in series. A common alternative for heavy-duty robots is the parallel joint concept, with a linear joint parallel to the main axis. Parallel industrial robots are therefore very powerful, but usually have a smaller working area. This is similar to a person trying to move both arms with their fingers intertwined.
Precision and Performance
The efficient M-950ðA/500’s three main axes (J1-J3) move at up to 100° per second, making it a fast and powerful option for lifting heavy parts, palletizing/packing heavy loads, and demanding material handling tasks. This speed is made possible by FANUC’s powerful AC servo motor drive system. Positioning accuracy is ±0.08mm. For applications requiring higher accuracy or where external forces are expected to be applied to the robot, FANUC also offers options for increased accuracy and rigidity.
In addition to FANUC’s user-friendly educational products, the M-950ðA/500 connects to the company’s R-30ðB Plus controller, which features a FANUC HMI, programming setup guide and large storage capacity.
The new FANUC M-950ðA/500 complements the company’s existing M-1000ðA serial link robot, with a payload capacity of 1000 kg and a reach of 3253 mm, providing more options for production engineers looking for versatility in heavy load handling tasks. FANUC also offers two parallel link models in the same product range. One is the M-900ðB/700 with a payload of 700 kg and a reach of 2832 mm, the other is the M-900ðB/360 with a payload of 360 kg and a reach of 2832 mm. 2655 mm is offered.