Top-Loading Robot Ups Machine Utilization 90% Or More

A new robot from Fanuc Robotics is reported to have the potential to revolutionize the machine tool and plastics industry by improving machine utilization by up to 90% or greater. Fanuc's M-710iT joins the company's family of toploader robots aimed at larger injection molding machines with medium to heavy material handling applications.

It has a 70-kg payload capacity and a reach of 1900 mm, and it can be used for large part/long distance part transfer. With a rail, six axis movement (one linear and five rotary), the robot can serve multiple machines, stations or operations. Fanuc says the toploader rail mount allows top, front or side entry and allows the robot to reach back behind itself to provide a three-dimensional work envelope. The six-axis capability speeds installation alignment, reduces commissioning time and enhances fault recovery in production. The overhead mount also allows for a full range of secondary operations such as trimming, washing, deburring, palletizing, labeling or packing.

The robot is available in two basic configurations: the 'side-slung' version is said to maximize the vertical lift stroke, while the 'under-slung' configuration is said to maximize the usable work envelope on both sides of the overhead rail.

Standard rail lengths are 4 meters and 6.5 to 10.5 meters in 1-meter increments. There are three ranges of support legs: 2.2 to 2.6 meters, 2.5 to 2.8 meters and 2.7 to 3 meters. Dual-arm configuration is available.

Fanuc Robotics North America, Inc.
Rochester Hills, MI