Toshiba Machine precision SCARAs on stand 322

At the Automation and Robotics show, TM Robotics is showing part of its SCARA robot range, as part of the Wittmann (UK) Ltd display on stand 322, in the BARA Village.

On show are the new Toshiba Machine SCARA robots, the TH-250 and TH-350, which provide better accuracy and repeatability than existing SCARAs and offer quicker cycle times and faster motion.

The new SCARAs provide such high-precision accuracy they can even be used in electronics production. The TH-250 and TH-350 feature top-level speed, payloads of up to 3kg and repeatability of +/-0.01mm. Both SCARAs feature absolute encoders as standard, dispensing with the need for a home return function. The robots are suited to assembly and handling applications, particularly with small components such as electrical, mobile phone and camera parts.

The robots' controller, the TS1000, features a built-in PLC, which allows rapid data transfer, as well as allowing complete system control for small automation cells. The PLC can control external I/Os (21 inputs and 17 outputs) hand I/Os (five inputs and four outputs) and panel I/Os (two inputs and two outputs), and facilitates the use of Ethernet, Devicenet and Profibus links. The controller is a very compact unit, with a footprint the size of a piece of A4 paper. As a result, it represents a space-saving option when built into a control cabinet.

With the addition of the TH-250 and TH-350, Toshiba Machine's range of mechanical arms is now one of the largest on the market. The range extends from the TH-250 (250mm) up to the large palletising SCARA, with a 1950mm arm length and a payload capacity up to 70kgs.

Toshiba Machine is also showing the SR-654HSP-Z, part of its SR-HSP series of SCARA robots. With up to 5-axes capability, the SR-654HSP-Z has achieved record-breaking traversing rates of 300mm in 0.63 seconds, carrying a 2kg payload. The robot's reinforced arm can handle up to 10kg with reduced acceleration, or 5kg at full speed.

As with all the SR-HSP range, this SCARA is extremely accurate, offering repeatability to within +/-0.02mm. Parallel processing is utilised to offer smooth, fast motion, and this is combined with an extremely sophisticated set of control instructions to suit all applications.

The speed of the SR-654HSP-Z system doesn't end with its physical movements. The robot's SR7000 controller integrates easily with other industrial automation equipment and is capable of simultaneously processing input and output signals during robot motion. Therefore, no time is wasted while signal processing is completed. The SR7000 also uses absolute encoder feedback to dispense with the need for home returns.

The 32-bit controller is capable of controlling up to 5-axes simultaneously, with options for PTP, short-cut, linear-interpolation and circular-interpolation motion modes. With a total memory capacity of 6,400 points (12,800 steps), the controller also offers a multitask function, allowing a maximum of four tasks.