FANUC launches new SCARA robot range

The SR-3iA, which was first unveiled at last year’s International Robot Exhibition (iREX) in Tokyo, is suitable for manufacturers requiring automated, fast assembly within a circular working envelope.

The robot is easy to install, due to its compact and integrated design. It also has several mounting options, including wall and bottom-down, making it a flexible, space-saving solution for even the smallest of machine shops.

The FANUC SCARA robot has a maximum payload of 3kg, with a horizontal and vertical reach of 400mm and 200mm respectively. A larger version of the robot – the SR-6iA, is available for heavier handling requirements. Furthermore, the SCARA’s machine-to-machine capabilities allow it to work effectively with other SCARA and Cartesian robots as part of a fully-automated cell.

The SCARA robot can be employed for processes such as pick-and-place, assembly, dispensing and screw-driving, and is particularly suited for production lines handling consumer electronics, auto components, plastics, appliances and medical devices. It can also be employed in laboratories.

For manufacturers who are new to automation, the SCARA robot includes FANUC’s new R-30iB Compact Plus Controller as standard. This helps operators to program simple commands into the robot easily and intuitively, without requiring external assistance.

For added functionality, operators can also choose from a range of FANUC software, such as: the iRProgrammer, a web-based user interface that can be operated via a tablet or PC; the iRPickTool, a visual tracking technology that allows robots to identify, pick and place items from a moving conveyor; and fieldbus connectivity, which allows operators to connect the SCARA robot to other FANUC machines on the factory floor.

Andrew Armstrong, sales and marketing manager at FANUC UK, said: “SCARA robots have long been a staple of the electronics industry, but their increasing precision, speed and flexibility mean that they are now being applied to other industries and applications, such as weld-sealing and paint spraying.

“FANUC’s first SCARA robot embodies all of this, and more. Its integrated, compact design makes it perfectly suited to smaller machine shops with less floor space. It can also communicate with other FANUC robots to create a fully-automated production line.

“It is my hope that our new SCARA range will join our established Cartesian robots as a flexible, reliable and precise automated solution for manufacturers across the UK.”

www.fanuc.eu/uk/en/robots/robot-filter-page/scara-series