Cutting, Welding, Milling & Drilling with New High-Precision FANUC Robot

The robot delivers path accuracy of ±0.1 mm thanks to enhanced rigidity, advanced process supervision with FANUC’s new R-50𝑖A robot controller, and the inclusion of the company’s Accuracy and Stiffness Enhancement option.

The M-800/60-20B high-precision robot offers superior mechanical design rigidity compared with conventional robots in the same class - while maintaining the same high levels of productivity. In combination with FANUC’s new R-50𝑖A robot controller users benefit from better robot accuracy. In addition, improved accuracy of I/O trigger timing and sensor tracking on the robot’s motion path further support precision in any sensor-following applications that require exceptional path control.

“With our new M-800/60-20B, manufacturers can use a high-precision robot to undertake processes such as 3D laser cutting and welding, as well as waterjet cutting, plasma cutting, milling, boring and drilling in a wide range of engineering materials,” explains Paul Ribus, FANUC’s Head of Robot Sales Coordination Europe. “This offers a cost effective alternative or complement to traditional CNC machine tools, enabling users to benefit from the robot’s best-in-class circular and linear path accuracy of ±0.1 mm, ±0.015 mm repeatability, six degrees of freedom, and 2040 mm reach.”

Among the major manufacturing trends set to benefit is gigacasting, a manufacturing process that creates large, single-piece castings such as car body structures, typically using high-pressure aluminium die-casting machines. Here, the subsequent milling, boring and drilling of gigacastings requires the use of enormous machine tools. However, the path accuracy of traditional robots is often insufficient to perform this task. The new M-800/60-20B is now among a selection of FANUC robots that present a far more cost-effective alternative to CNC machines in applications such as the machining of gigacastings and other die-cast components.

FANUC’s Accuracy and Stiffness Enhancement option serves to minimise the effects of gear and reducer backlash, leading to smoother and more accurate movement. It includes 𝑖RCalibration Signature, FANUC’s precision calibration technology that provides higher absolute position accuracy by compensating for any manufacturing deviations from design values and mechanical torsion due to gravity (when the robot arm is extended in horizontal position). The Accuracy and Stiffness Enhancement option also compensates for deflection due to lateral forces in processes such as milling.

Among further improvements is dust and water resistance, again important for processes like the laser cutting/welding of aluminium or aluminium-plated materials, ensuring the robot can be deployed with confidence even in environments where airborne contaminants are present. The M-800/60-20B carries IP67 protection rating for its wrist and upper arm, and IP54 for the body. FANUC can also offer a proprietary remote laser head that works in combination with the robot to perform efficient welding or cutting on the fly.

Enhancing user comfort is FANUC’s new Lightweight Teach Pendant with full touch-panel operation. Believed to be the lightest in its class at just 750 g, the new Teach Pendant improves user experience by making programming both faster and easier.

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