YASKAWA Electric Corporation has launched a new lineup of MOTOMAN-HC30PL featuring 30kg payload capacity and 1600mm reach. This specific model suits palletizing applications, such as cardboard under the human collaboration robot (cobot) series with 10kg and 20kg payload capacity.

Space-Efficient Human Collaborative Robot

In recent years, various industry sectors are promoting automation, quality stabilization, and cost reduction by using robots. It emerged against the background of severe labor shortage due to the decreasing working-age population. Amidst this situation, Yaskawa is working on the realization of a space-saving and flexible production line and further expansion of the application field of robots by enhancing the lineup of collaborative robots that can work side by side with workers without a safety fence¹ around the robots.

The newly developed MOTOMAN-HC30PL can handle heavy objects with the same workspace as a human by increasing the payload capacity of the human cobot MOTOMAN-HC series to 30kg.

One of the features of the series include a high safety level that has been well appreciated by customers. It also has a functionality that allows even first-time users to easily operate the robot. A wide range of end effectors and peripherals sold by hand makers for collaborative robots are also easily interconnected. This feature makes the robot easy to introduce.

Main Features

Expansion of Palletizing Options

When customers ship their final products, large quantities of the products are packed in cardboard boxes, increasing the mass of the boxes themselves. In general, the weight of the carton should be in the range of 10 to 20kg, since manual transfer is required at the destination. However, considering the weight of the hand gripping the carton, a higher weight is required. In addition, cardboard boxes, etc. are stacked on pallets and delivered to logistics departments, such as truck transportation in order to improve logistics efficiency. The main pallet size is a square or rectangle with a side of around 1100mm.

To meet these requirements, the product was designed to have a reach of 1600mm with a payload capacity of 30kg, enabling use in palletizing applications. Along with the characteristics of the human collaborative robot, which can handle heavy objects in the same working space with a human, the specifications suitable for palletizing realize space-saving equipment. All axes are IP 67 dust- and drip-proof. The surface is coated with acrylic urethane and the tip flange is made of stainless steel. It can also be used for applications that require washing with water for hygienic reasons.

Easy Connection with Plug & Play Kit

The end effector mounting part on the robot tip conforms to the standard ISO9409-1-50-4-M6. Also, it can be easily connected and operated with various devices such as end effectors and peripherals that are compliant with the standard. In addition, the ETHERNET cable (Cat. 6), which is convenient for mounting a camera on the robot tip, and input-output (I/O) cables and air hoses are incorporated as robot built-in cables. By eliminating wiring on the outside of the robot, interference with peripheral devices can be prevented and setup can be easily done.

Safe and Secure Design

In keeping with the safety features of the MOTOMAN-HC Series, the robot is equipped with a “collaboration mode”. This feature automatically stops when a force exceeding a preset limit is detected from the outside, eliminating the need to install safety fences. It is also designed to secure “anti-pinching” by keeping arm space apart. Automation using robots is possible at sites and processes where the introduction of robots has been postponed to ensure the safety of workers.

Easy Operation Even if Unfamiliar with Robot Operation

Besides conventional teaching methods using programming pendants, the robot arm is also equipped with a direct teaching function. It allows the robot arm to be gripped by hand and manually manipulated to guide desired movements. The robot can be instructed to operate by instinctive operation; thus, it can be easily applied to customers who are unfamiliar with robot operation or processes that require frequent teaching. It also supports the smart pendant, a tablet-type user interface that can be operated instinctively using a touch panel.

 ¹ Safety functions allow the construction of systems without safety fences, but risk assessment and risk reduction measures must be implemented in all cases.