Get it Done with Autonomous Mobile Robots

FANUC’s Authorized System Integrators Palladium Control Systems and Polytec USA Corp. have teamed up and commissioned a robotic material handling application using a FANUC M-20iB/35S robot mounted to an Automatic Mobile Robot (AMR). Their first project (Phase 1) is an Automatic Tool Management demonstration to prove the concept that a standard industrial robot mounted to an AMR can accurately and safely tend a CNC machine.
The M-20iB/35S robot, equipped with FANUC’s iRVision 3DV vision sensor and a FANUC Force Sensor was selected due to its 35kg payload capabilities and small footprint. This compact and lightweight robot is extremely versatile and can perform difficult tasks with high precision.
The AMR/Robot solution provides several benefits when compared to using linear rails including:
The robot and AMR’s compact size and flexibility to maneuver to areas where linear rails would not be feasible, including around machines.
Higher speed operation, reducing cycle time.
Safety for this collaborative application using a standard industrial robot is maintained by using safety area scanners that provide 360 degrees of coverage for the AMR while it is in motion and a fenceless safety system for the robot.
Robot’s small footprint to navigate narrow corridors and ability to lift up to 35kg payloads.
FANUC’s 3D Vision system maintains the accuracy of the robot by correcting any displacement of the AMR.
AMR’s battery life capacity can run a full 8-hour shift without recharging.
The robot may be easily repurposed to take on new applications including multiple machining processes and vision-guided part inspection.
No need to purchase costly parts associated with linear rails.
In the future, Phase 2 will expand to a larger tool rack, monitor inventory and tracking of the tools.