KUKA AG has developed standard and cleanroom versions of the KR SCARA robots that can move up to 12 kilograms. This development comes amid the success of electromobility and regenerative energies increasing the demand for SCARA robots for a higher payload with more range.

Stronger Robot Arms Especially Needed

SCARA robots, which cover the payload class up to 10 or up to 12 kilograms, are currently particularly needed in Asia. However, demand for an industrial robot of this type is also increasing in other regions of the world. They are needed in electromobility, for example, stacking in battery production, photovoltaic systems manufacturing, components assembly or medicine packaging. These robots with their four axes are versatile in automation and pick-and-place tasks.

The KR 12 model from KUKA therefore now fills a gap in the market. This robot is eagerly awaited, especially since the KR SCARA series offers the same advantages for any payload: the shortest cycle times, high repeatability, compact design.

KUKA Robots with Highest Speed

Both the SCARA KR 12 standard model and the KR 12 robots for the cleanroom are available in three different reaches up to 850mm. At a reach of 650mm, the cycle time is just 0.40 seconds, and at 850mm, 0.42 seconds. The KR SCARA thus stands for maximum efficiency, and this at temperatures from 0 to 45°C. At 50 kilograms, KR 12 has a low weight for greater flexibility.

“Benchmarking in the laboratory showed that the new SCARA robot from KUKA is at the forefront of its robot class in many areas. Particularly noteworthy are the breadth of our portfolio and our cycle times. In terms of circular accuracy, we even achieved the best values in the entire test series,” says Kenny Li, Product Manager, KUKA.

Suitable for Clean Room Application

The cable routing runs inside the KR 12, thus making it extremely compact and easy to clean. The standard versions comply with protection class IP20, while the cleanroom versions with protection class IP54. This means that customers in the pharmaceutical industry, for example, benefit not only from the increased payload. Low maintenance requirements also meet market demands.