FANUC has launched the world’s first ever explosion-proof, ATEX-rated collaborative robot for industrial painting applications. Ideal for wet spraying, dry powder coating and multiple other processes that include adhesive dispensing, the CRX-10iA/L PAINT will improve the precision of paint jobs, reduce waste, increase productivity and boost safety by protecting workers from paint fumes.
Approved for use in ATEX-certified Cat. II Group 2G and 2D, the CRX-10iA/L PAINT also enables human employees to work in the same painting area as the cobot without safety fences, thanks to a highly sensitive contact-stopping function.
Ease of use is another of its key features. “Few paint shop workers have extensive knowledge of robotics, which is where collaborative robots can help,” states Claude Seiler, Manager Products & Application, European Technical Support Robotics for FANUC. “Our CRX-10iA/L PAINT, with its easy-teach features and drag-and-drop functionality, means no robot programming expertise is necessary.”
Paint shop professionals can complete programmes in minutes via an icon-based app on a tablet teach pendant, explains Claude: “Operators can manually move the cobot arm to the first position required, make a save point and continue through the paint path. The cobot will ‘learn’ its entire range of positioning – it’s that easy. What’s more, users can save and apply paint paths to other parts.”
The IP67-rated FANUC CRX-10iA/L PAINT six-axis cobot offers a maximum payload of 10 kg and the longest reach in its class of 1,418 mm. Process flexibility arrives courtesy of its floor, upside-down or angle mounting option, while its unique under-flip motion means users can manipulate the paint gun in confined spaces. In addition, the cobot is fully compatible with almost all automatic end-of-arm guns.
The maximum speed in collaborative mode is 1,000 mm/s and if located in a closed paint booth, users can activate high-speed mode of 2,000 mm/s. As a final benefit, robust FANUC build quality means up to eight years of maintenance-free operation in painting and coating tasks.
To learn more, visit www.fanuc.eu/uk/en.