Mobile Robot Platform: http://robot.fanucamerica.com/products/robots/productbyseries.aspx?seriesId=3&robotseries=LR%20Mate%20Series
For more than 20 years, FANUC America Authorized Integrator ProtoConsul has been an international frontrunner in robotics systems for the primary metal sector, providing adapted solutions for skimming, drossing demoulding, palletizing traceability and products identification.
Through decades of experience in meeting the needs of customers who require adapted solutions, ProtoConsul has developed and integrated mobile platforms for different applications, including this omnidirectional platform project with integrated FANUC LR Mate series robot. This moving platform is controlled by FANUC servo motors and amplifiers. This basic platform can be loaded with 500 kilograms of equipment, including the robot, controller, and parts to be transferred, and has a top speed of one meter per second.
Communication with stationary systems is achieved through a wireless link. This unit is battery powered, thus requiring no cables, busbars or induction based power supply. When combining the FANUC robot and platform use, the system can run for up to 8 hours, and up to 16 hours or more if the platform is used alone. Charging and inverting is managed directly within the platform, meaning no extra space is necessary for charging equipment. The system meets all safety regulations with the implementation of a safety scanner on the moving platform and FANUC America’s Dual Check Safety option. As the robot moves in a safe area, the light on the platform is green. However as the platform approaches a wall, a yellow warning light signals the danger and the platform’s speed is slowed to less than 250 mm/second. A red light indicates that the robot is too close, and an emergency stop is triggered. The robot can run without any fences, allowing for a good inter-relation between the equipment, while offering the flexibility of a robotic system.
ProtoConsul continues to develop new and adapted versions of its mobile robotic platform for all FANUC robot models including the extremely heavy duty FANUC M-2000iA robot. Examples include ProtoConsul’s integration of the FANUC M-900iA to perform fully automated cast iron drossing, and the FANUC M-710iC for automated zinc skimming. To learn more about FANUC America Authorized Integrator ProtoConsul and their full line of automation solutions, please visit http://www.protoconsul.com.