Yaskawa has developed a compact and flexible system for high-speed robot-based spot welding. The modular solution comprises a cell with positioner and two-spot welding robots, particularly lightweight spot welding guns, a nut welding machine and a full range of accessories.
A combination of high-performance components results in significantly faster cycle times in spot welding applications than conventional solutions. At the same time, the design of the robot positioning cell is so compact that it requires up to 40% less space than a comparable unit. A high degree of rebuilding flexibility from one product to the other makes for additional flexibility in production. The frontal “robot on board” positioning of the manipulators allows simple removal of the component without interference contours.
The combination of high-performance components enables significantly faster cycle times for spot welding applications than conventional solutions
The heart of the unit is the 7-axis Motoman VS100 with a payload of up to 110kg. The model has an additional tilting axis and offers a highly flexible working range. It can work close to workpieces and other robots, thus enabling flexible and space-saving system design. The additional axis and resulting added degree of freedom permits reorientation of the manipulator axes without changing the position of the spot welding gun. This enables the robot to reach deep into confined spaces or perform longer linear movements. The interference contour of the entire manipulator can be adapted by programming. This robot also pursues Yaskawa’s strategy by downsizing tools, extending the working range in the direction of the robot body and energy-efficient motors.
The robots are supported by a new generation of spot welding guns which are extremely light weight. They operate without a compressed air system and feature a lightweight construction, making them an ideal complement to the compact robots. Energy consumption is accordingly lower. The deliberately simple design of the gun body, transformer and motor nevertheless guarantees a high degree of robustness. The lateral routing of cables improves the turning capacity of the robot hand. The standard version can be configured in many different ways.
A nut welding machine, likewise newly developed by Yaskawa, rounds off the new range for robot-based welding processes. It consists of a welding construction that can be set in multiple positions and has an adjustable welding head. A Motoman MH5 handling robot automatically feeds the items to be welded, such as nuts, bushings and pins. This integration of all components in a standardised machine offers numerous advantages in terms of autonomy, performance, reliability, maintenance-friendliness and flexibility of the unit.
For further details contact Yaskawa Southern Africa on TEL: 011 608 3182 or visit www.yaskawa.za.com