Mitsubishi’s High-Payload, Long-Reach Robots Give New Meaning to “Arm Day”
The latest additions to Mitsubishi Electric Automation's RV-FR series of robots feature a higher payload and longer reach than earlier models, expanding the series' manufacturing capabilities.
Mitsubishi Electric Automation has released its new RV-35/50/80FR series of robots, which are capable of reaching farther and carrying a heavier payload than earlier RV-FR models. The robots have a reach of 2100 mm and can handle payloads up to 80 kg.
Mitsubishi Electric’s RV-35/50/80FR series robots feature a high payload and long reach. Image used courtesy of Mitsubishi Electric
RV-35/50/80FR Series Robots
The newest additions to the RV-FR series of vertical six-axis robots fall into three model lines. The RV-35FR can handle payloads of 35 kg, the RV-50FR can handle payloads of 50 kg, and the RV-80FR can handle the full 80 kg. All three robots have a reach of 2100 mm. Each robot weighs 560 kg and is designed to be floor-mounted. The new robots are divided into subclasses with different speeds, tolerable moments, and other important features. The economics and the particular objects that must be moved will dictate the proper robot choice.
Besides lifting capacity and reach, the new robots can withstand oil mist in accordance with ingress protection IP65 or IP67 (depending on the specific area) and can operate in ambient temperatures of 0 ℃ to 45 ℃. The robot’s six degrees of freedom are controlled by an AC servo motor and measured by an absolute encoder for increased accuracy. The robots are repeatability accurate to 0.06 mm, meaning they can be used for the placement and assembly of large components.
Mitsubishi’s CR860-R/Q/D robot controller is used to operate the RV-35/50/80FR series. Image used courtesy of Mitsubishi Electric
RV-FR Robot Controllers
The newest additions to the RV-FR robot line use the CR860-R/Q/D controller, which enables faster cycle times compared to the CR800-R/Q/D controller used with earlier RV-FR robot models. This speed leads to much more rapid calculations, which is essential to safe and precise robot operation, especially when dealing with heavier payloads. For example, if one were to move a tennis ball from one place to another, there would be less momentum to account for during braking and placement operations. If, instead, a bowling ball is moved at the same speed, there would be more momentum and less tolerance for error.
The RV-35/50/80FR robots are suitable for applications demanding high payloads, such as heavy object palletization. Image used courtesy of Adobe Stock
High-Payload, Long-Reach Robots
The RV-35/50/80FR series robots' ability to lift heavier objects than their predecessors will enable them to be used further downstream in production processes. As objects are assembled, they become heavier. Greater lifting capacity means the new robots can handle heavier objects without manufacturers having to switch to a much larger robot.
With up to 80 kg of lifting capacity, the RV-35/50/80FR robots can handle cylinder heads, batteries, automotive body panels, aircraft components, and many other products. Machine tending, picking, palletizing, and packaging operations are other examples of heavy-lifting applications that are made possible by these robots.
