Welding Robot for Use in High-Density Layouts

The MA1440 six-axis welding robot from Yaskawa Motoman offers a 6-kg payload, an improvement on the 3-kg payload of its MA1400 model, as well as a larger wrist hole for utilities and faster operation. Integrated through-the-arm cabling eliminates cable interference, simplifies programing and reduces cable wear, the company says. The enlarged 50-mm through-hole can accommodate signal cables for sensors, higher current cables and water-cooling lines. Because of the higher payload, motorized torches and cameras can be mounted on the wrist for welding applications. Available in floor-, wall- and ceiling-mounted configurations, the space-saving robot is well-suited for high-density layouts. A material-handling version with 12-kg payload is also available.

The welding robot offers a 1,440-mm (56.7") horizontal reach, 2,511-mm (98.9") vertical reach and ±0.08-mm (±0.003") repeatability. A contoured arm structure reduces interference by enlarging the close-range motion area of the robot, making it suitable for welding large workpieces or reaching over jigs. The upper arm shape improves the mounting area, providing more room for the feeder.

The robot is equipped with a DX200 robot controller, designed for improved maintainability and energy efficiency. The controller is said to be capable of handling multiple tasks and controlling as many as eight robots (72 axes). Its I/O suite includes integral PLC and HMI pendant displays, high-speed Ethernet communication, 4,096 I/O addresses and a graphical ladder editor for system-level control. An enhanced functional safety unit (FSU) provides control-reliable zone and tool-positioning monitoring, standstill monitoring and speed limiting, reducing costs for safeguarding hardware and enabling capabilities such as collaborative tasks. The Sigma-5 motor control technology is said to increase productivity.