Automotive Spot Welding with 7-Axis Robot

FANUC America Corporation recently demonstrated automotive spot welding with its 7-axis R-1000iA/120F-7B robot.

The R-1000iA/120F-7B robot has a payload of 120 kg and a maximum reach of 2,230 mm. The additional axis allows the robot's J2 arm to fold into itself, making it shorter and able to operate in very tight workspaces.

In the demonstration, the R-1000iA/120F-7B robot was equipped with an integrated FANUC Servo Gun Control, the FANUC primary wrist and Solution Arm for spot welding dress out, and a servo weld gun. The robot highlighted FANUC's 4-D graphics, and used Dual Check Safety (DCS) Speed and Position Check software to limit the robot's envelope within the compact workspace. It also featured FANUC's latest R-30iB Plus controller with an iPendant for easy set-up and operation. It offers a variety of intelligent functions including iRVision, Force Sensing, ROBOGUIDE, ZDT and DCS.

"The articulation in the J2 arm now enables the robot to be placed closer to the operating point in a welding application without losing any reach," said Tim Holcomb, Product Manager, FANUC America. "Since the robot can also work overhead and from behind its back, it has an amazingly large work area despite its compact design."

In addition to spot welding, R-1000iA/120F-7B is designed for other applications including compact palletizing, machine load/unload and other operations with space constraints.

Additional R-1000iA/120F-7B features and benefits:

• High-speed operation minimizes robot cycle times
• Simple serial-link configuration with large operating envelope (including rear and downward side)
• Substantial wrist load ratings support the latest compact servo weld guns
• IP67 rated wrist allows operation in wet conditions
• Optional solution arm dress out package with internal cable routing for spot welding processes.

For more information contact:

FANUC America Corporation

3900 West Hamlin Road

Rochester Hills, MI 48309-3253

888-FANUC-US (326-8287)

www.fanucamerica.com