DENSO Robotics has announced a new RC8A robot controller that adds DENSO Safety Motion—which allows creation of virtual fences around the robot—to the list of advanced-performance features and functions already available with the previous RC8 model.
“As people and robots work more and more closely together, especially with the trend toward collaborative robots, new safety solutions are required,” said Peter Cavallo, robotics sales manager, DENSO Products & Services Americas, Inc. “Our Safety Motion function ensures that working environments stay safe for humans without compromising productivity.”
Safety Motion uses two optical sensors, one at the top and one at the bottom of the cell, to detect an approaching operator and control the speed of the robot accordingly. The sensors create virtual safe zones that trigger an incremental reduction in the speed of the robot to safe levels depending on the distance of the operator. When the operator reaches the closest zone, the robot reduces its motor torque and slows down sufficiently to allow the operator to safely interact with it, or stops entirely. As soon as the operator leaves, the robot automatically starts running at normal speed again, minimizing stoppage time.
With a footprint of only 12.5 x 14 inches and a height of only 3.69 inches, the RC8A continues the previous model’s standing as the world’s smallest industrial robot controller in the 3-kW output class. The compact size saves valuable factory floor space and facilitates integration.
DENSO’s ORiN open-resource interface networking system allows the RC8A to communicate with over 100 different types of devices. The controller’s wide range of communications interfaces includes 100 Base-T Ethernet, mini/hand I/O, RS-232C and USB as standard, with CC-Link, DeviceNet, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, parallel discrete I/O, Profibus and Profinet as optional.
A Microsoft Windows-based graphical user interface reduces robot setup time. ISO and UL safety compliance allows global deployment.
Optional accessories include a teaching pendant with a large, 7.5-inch color touchscreen, a mini pendant with a 128 x 64 pixel LCD display, up to two additional axes and conveyor tracking. DENSO’s Wincaps III 3-D simulation software allows offline programming and remote monitoring of robot operation.
For more information about the RC8A robot controller, visit http://densorobotics.com/products/rc8a.
Filed Under: The Robot Report
Tell Us What You Think!