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MMS APRIL 2018 128 mmsonline.com JEDD COLE | EDITOR | jcole@mmsonline.com Modern Equipment Review Robots and Automation SPOTLIGHT Six-Axis Cobot Eliminates Operator Pinch Points Featuring power- and force-limiting technology, Yaskawa Motoman's six-axis HC10 collaborative robot (cobot) works safely with or near humans by stopping in the event of contact with an operator. Dual torque sensors in all joints continually monitor force to quickly react to contact. It is designed to eliminate operator pinch points. Through-arm utilities hide cabling and increase safety by reducing the risks of snagging or interference with other equipment. In addition to programming with a teach pendant, users can hand-guide the cobot to teach new program paths. This feature enables fast deployment or rede- ployment on demand, decreasing system downtime and increasing ROI. It optimizes cycle times based on risk assessments and process requirements when operating at full or collaborative speed. The cobot has a 10-kg payload and 1,200 mm of reach. It can perform a range of material handling, machine tending, packaging and light assembly tasks. Function-specific tooling and accessories are available from the company's partners. The cobot is controlled by the company's YRC1000 controller, which is built to a global standard and does not require a transformer for input voltages rang- ing from 380 to 480 VAC. The controller is compact (598 × 490 × 427 mm), reducing space requirements. Its I/O communication speed is improved for better work efficiency. A single controller-to-robot cable improves reliability. The programming pendant design has enhanced ergonomics and lighter weight. | Yaskawa America Inc., Motoman Robotics 937-847-6200 | motoman.com Universal Compliance Compensator Adapts to a Range of Robot Tasks ATI Industrial Automation's U1-050 universal compli- ance compensator (UCC) has a variety of features for adaptability in tasks such as automated assembly, bin pick- ing, machine loading and unloading, and robotic finishing. The UCC com- plies in a range of directions to overcome misalignment between the end effec- tor and the workpiece. It is said to be suitable for high-endurance applications, offering simultaneous X-Y lateral compliance, X-Y-Z axis rotation and Z compression. The pressurized internal reset piston returns the device to a repeatable center. The stiffness can be tuned for specific payloads by varying the pneumatic pressure, increasing its versa- tility. The UCC can be configured for either a PNP- or NPN-compliant sensor. It also has an option for envi- ronmental protection. It is available with a standard 50-mm ISO mounting pattern, which can eliminate the need for interface plates in some cases. | ATI Industrial Automation | 919-772-0115 | ati-ia.com