Streamlining Robot Operation With Mitsubishi’s New R86TB Teach Pendant

Mitsubishi Electric Automation has released its newest robot teaching pendant, the R86TB. This pendant makes programming robots and troubleshooting systems a hands-on task. It can be used to teach a robot how to move without the need for extensive coding and provides key logistics data for troubleshooting.

 

Mitsubishi has released the R86TB teach pendant for on-site robot setup and maintenance. Image used courtesy of Mitsubishi Electric

 

What Are Teach Pendants?

Teach pendants are handheld devices that can be used to walk a robot through its expected motions. Operators can physically show the robot where it should go during normal operations. From the pendant, fine-tuning and optimization can be programmed by adjusting key parameters. All of this is made possible without requiring operators or engineers to write much program code. 

More advanced pendants, such as Mitsubishi’s new R86TB, can also monitor important metrics of a physical robot while it is in use. This allows operators to troubleshoot and adjust robots easily based on manufacturing needs.

Mitsubishi’s new R86TB teach pendant features a high-definition screen and tactile buttons. Image used courtesy of Mitsubishi Electric

 

The R86TB Teach Pendant

The R86TB teach pendant sports a high-resolution, high-definition 10.1-inch screen, making it easy to see key details yet compact enough to use virtually anywhere. This is a key feature, as a laptop is not required to make adjustments—they can be made directly from the teaching pendant. 

Updates can be saved onto a USB or interfaced through a computer for more in-depth changes. The pendant works with MELSOFT RT Toolbox3, Mitsubishi’s robot programming and monitoring software, allowing operators to make a quick change on the spot. Still, major reprogramming can take place in a comfy office chair. The pendant also interfaces with Mitsubishi’s CR700 and CR800 series controllers.

Besides the interfacing, the R86TB is designed to be easy and convenient to use. One of the most underrated features is that the R86TB has tactile buttons. How many times has an operator pressed a “soft” button on a computer screen, only to have it not respond? Did it register the button press through gloves? Does the operator need to press the button again? With a physical, tactile button, the operator can be sure the button was pressed.

Besides being a programming tool, the R86TB can also monitor real-time data for troubleshooting tasks. This teaching pendant is not designed to sit on the shelf and only be used during startup; instead, it is to be used as a companion tool for all things related to robotic motion.

The R86TB is compatible with Mitsubishi’s existing and future robots, as well as previous, CR700-controlled models. Image used courtesy of Mitsubishi Electric 

 

Improved Automation 

Any time a new tool for teaching robots is released, it is an opportunity to upskill workers and make automation systems easier to use. By doing so, new skill sets are developed in all employees, making for a more versatile, cross-trained team. The Mitsubishi R86TB teach pendant is no exception, with its ease of use, security, and versatility.

In terms of industries served, virtually any industry where a robotic manipulator is used to move goods or raw materials can benefit from an easy-to-program robotic interface. Small assembly tasks, picking and packing operations, and some quality control operations will benefit from Mitsubishi's R86TB teach pendant.