The latest Toshiba Machine Scara robots will be on display at Automatica taking place from 22-25 May 2012 at the new Munich Trade Fair Centre. In Hall B2, Booth 308, we will highlight how TOSHIBA MACHINE THL models satisfy the growing demand for affordable, flexible automation in applications outside of industries such as packaging, materials handling and welding where robots have been installed for decades.

The aim was to achieve low mass and low inertia with the necessary rigidity from which high accuracy is attained. Reduction in mass is thanks to the use of lightweight cast aluminium mechanical components that have a series of ribbed sections to provide rigidity. As a result, smaller servo motors have been fitted. Moreover, because the lightweight system generates substantially less inertia a simplified gearbox has been used.

The THL range is up to 50% lighter than other Toshiba Machine models and the robots consume 50% less electricity. Performance compares favourably with other models and the new robots feature easier maintenance than previously.

Available on 500mm, 600mm and 700mm arm lengths, the next surprising revelation is that all three models have exactly the same price. Toshiba Machine explains that since the only difference between the three robots is the length of the extruded aluminium tube that forms the arm’s main beam, the cost difference is negligible.

Each robot has four axes of movement including ±360° rotational, with a working envelope of ±125° on the first axis and ±145° on axis two. Maximum composite speed using axes one and two is an impressive 6.3m/s for the THL500, 7.1m/s for the THL600 and 7.9m/s for the largest THL700. Cycle time, with a 2kg payload, is 0.45s for the THL500 and THL600, while the THL700 is only 0.05 seconds slower. Maximum payload is a weighty 10kg for all three models. The allowable moment of inertia is just 0.2kg/m2 and thanks to the use of absolute encoders repeatability in X-Y is a mere 0.01mm.

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Robotic systems are rarely designed for high speed and arduous continuous duty applications and as a result the servo motors can experience drift through overheating. This leads to loss of accuracy as well as repeatability, which is vital for most applications. In worst case scenarios, this tendency towards overheating can cause complete breakdown – something that is intolerable in volume manufacturing.

TM Robotics together with Toshiba Machine shows at Automatica in Hall B2, Booth 308, that in response, some Toshiba Machine Scara robots – such as the latest THP range – are now fitted with especially large servo motors that will not overheat whatever the duty cycle. However, it is not simply a case of increasing motor sizes. The THP robots meet continuous duty requirements through a number of new mechanical and electrical engineering designs.

The ballscrew spline for example has been reduced in size substantially reducing inertia at the point where there is the greatest mechanical advantage. There is a new reduction gear applied to the machine’s first axis, which naturally serves to increase torque, but it also aids rigidity.

At the heart of the system is where the THP700’s durable performance is attained, for the robot is fitted with a powerful 1.5kW servo motor on the first axis that not only refuses to overheat, whatever the duty cycle, but also delivers exceptional speed.

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Shown at Automatica by TM Robotics, TOSHIBA MACHINE and their German partner ESCO Antriebstechnik (Hall B2 Booth 308), TOSHIBA MACHINE’s TV800 6-axis robot offers fast cycle times thanks to a low mass design, yet the machine exhibits excellent rigidity and durability. The robots are also exceptionally easy to programme.

The TV800 model has an arm length of 800mm, a reach of 920mm and a composite maximum speed of 8.06 m/sec. The robot has a maximum cycle time of 0.4 to 0.5 seconds, repeatability of ±0.02mm and a maximum payload of 5kg.

The six axis robot uses an absolute position detection system and a robust AC motor at its heart. Axes one to six offer working envelopes of ±170°, -100° to +150°, -127° to +167°, ±190°, ±120° and ±360° respectively. They also feature maximum speeds of 237°/sec, 240°/sec, 288°/sec, 350.5°/sec, 484°/sec, and 576°/sec respectively. The allowable moment of inertia on axes four and five is 0.3kg/m2 and on axis six its 0.5kg/m2.

The TV range of robots are controlled using TOSHIBA MACHINE’s new TS3100 controller, which is programmed in SCOL, a language similar to BASIC as are all TOSHIBA MACHINE industrial robots, and has the option of a teach pendant for easy access outside the robot cell.

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TOSHIBA MACHINE’s Cartesian robot range, otherwise known as the ROIbot, uses a modular ‘building block’ design to achieve an exceptional degree of flexibility. This arises from the design of the actuators that allows single or multiple axis configurations to be built from the same standard components – enabling over 500 configurations.

The machines are shown at Automatica, taking place from 22-25 May 2012 at the new Munich Trade Fair Centre, by TM Robotics together with its German partner ESCO Antriebstechnik in Hall B2 Booth 308.
Each axis can handle up to 150kg and features AC servomotors, precision ground ball screws and high rigidity linear guides. Motors can be mounted on either side of the axis, or underneath, to reduce its overall length.

A range of optional extras and essential accessories, such as cable management, fixing and connecting plates, junction blocks as well as brackets and linking cables are also supplied.

Included in the range are belt driven axes in a variety of sizes. These actuators can handle up to 40kg at speeds of up to 2000mm/sec. Both factors depend on motor size, which can be up to 200W, whilst speed is also relative to payload capacity. The stroke range can be up to a maximum of 2500mm on the largest model. Repeatability across the range is ±0.05mm.

The junction box unit can be mounted almost anywhere along the axis and allows cable to exit from any of five directions. The ROIbot is supplied with a unique flexible tube carrier system, which can be mounted horizontally or vertically. The unit can be programmed using familiar Windows™ based programming tools for ease of use.

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The Tiesse vision system has at its heart state of the art camera and lenses powered by TS-Vision software and the proven Cognex libraries. The software creates models by which to recognise the geometry of the pieces being handled.

The software has a built in editor with self-learning functions to memorise, modify and retain the recognition models, to program the reliability threshold of the recognition and also test the system’s functions. Secondary models check functions to identify features of the workpieces such as symmetry, whether they are upside down and recursive timing. Calibration and an automatic re-centring of the area of interest is effected in relation to a reference pattern and 360° and/or scale variation is identified. Because the robot guide function uses RS232 protocol or Ethernet – it is possible to connect up to eight robots.

The vision system is demonstrated during Automatica fitted to a TOSHIBA MACHINE TH450A Scara robot in a demanding conveyor tracking application.

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IREX Exhibition 2011, Tokyo, Japan

Toshiba Machine enjoyed a very successful participation at the IREX 2011 robotics exhibition in Tokyo. Given the global gloom, there were an encouragingly large number of visits from several of TM Robotics’ European partners including Entek / Turkey, Tiesse Robot / Italy, Arc Technology / France, EEP / Austria and FAM / Russia. These lead to some extremely constructive meetings about new product opportunities, emerging markets and new developments.

The event also saw the launch of the new Toshiba Machine THL, a low cost SCARA robot. More details will be forthcoming in the next issue of our newsletter. There was also the first viewing of the new high speed THP700 together with a new Cartesian robot range. The THP700 is fully available whereas details of the new Cartesian and THL SCARA models will be released early in 2012. As described elsewhere in this edition of the newsletter, there have been some very useful design additions and new protection options for the Toshiba Machine TV series of 6-axis robots.

The IREX is the world’s largest robotics event with over 250 exhibiting companies and organisations displaying from over 850 stands.

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World of Industry Part II is one of the main industrial events in Turkey. With more than 75,000 visitors, the show is one of the most best attended in the country. Four separate, yet related, trade shows – Materials Handling, Hydraulic and Pneumatic, Electrotech and Automation – make up the entire event, which has 643 exhibitors and 574 co-exhibitors.

Exhibited are everything from electrical energy generation system, laser treatment machinery, industrial lighting tools and hydraulic equipments, to lubrication systems, gears, motors and cables, transformers and automation services. The show is held concurrently with the popular Industrial Activities Summit and is a global affair in itself, with representatives from 71 countries. A total of 24985 square meters of exhibition space is taken up by the show.

TM Robotics and its Turkish partner Entek will be showing SCARA, Cartesian and Six-Axis Robots from Toshiba Machine. Readers of this newsletter might recall that Entek has already completed some interesting applications in Turkey – including the integration of Toshiba Machine TV800 Robots in new training cells sold to six technical colleges in Turkey.

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TM Robotics in association with its Italian partner Tiesse Robot puts a TH450 SCARA Robot with conveyor tracking and Tiesse’s own vision system design through their paces at the premier Italian automation show in Milan. Tiesse Robot has sold and supported Toshiba / Toshiba Machine robots since 1990 and has enjoyed great success in their applications and has sold more than 1,000 of our SCARA Robots during this time.

IPACK-IMA 2012 is a benchmark event for processing, packaging and materials handling. It is also a meeting place for nine industries including: grain-based food, dairy products, beverage, confectionery, vegetables and fruit, fresh and convenience food, health and personal care, chemicals – industrial and home, as well as industrial and durable goods.

IPACK-IMA presents a collection of integrated, innovative and sustainable manufacturing offers thanks to the exhaustive nature of the exhibits on display, which this year includes, a new package printing area.

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TM Robotics’ partner in Poland, Kontech, has enjoyed great success in the past few years and the Polish marketplace has been one that has taken up SCARA robots in particular. At this year’s AUTOMATICON exhibition, Toshiba Machine THL Series and TV800 Robots will be demonstrated. The low mass, low cost THL is already proving a popular machine around the world, so its’ Polish debut is eagerly awaited.

The TV800 6-axis robot remains a model that many are yet to become familiar with. It has an arm length of 800mm, a reach of 92mm and a composite maximum speed of 8.06 m/sec. The robot has a maximum cycle time of 0.4 to 0.5 seconds, repeatability of ±0.02mm and a maximum payload of 5kg.

AUTOMATICON is the most important trade fair for automation, control, measurement and robotics in Poland. The event’s mission is to promote new technology for industry. The show has been running for 17 years and is always accompanied by series of seminars, lectures and presentations which attract hundreds of specialists from all over the country.

More than 10.000 visitors attend the Fair every year and all of them are from wide range of industries, in Poland and in neighbouring countries.

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TM Robotics is again participating at the Anuga FoodTech in collaboration with the Robotik-Pack-Line. We will be showing the THP550 SCARA Robot working together with a Toshiba Machine Cartesian Robot on the booth in addition to a TH650A and TH850A palletising and packing within the demonstration area of the Robotik-Pack-Line. The Robotik-Pack-Line gives the perfect demonstration of how the company’s robots can integrate with any other make or type of equipment.

Anuga FoodTec 2012 once again expected to attract more than 1,200 exhibiting companies from about 40 countries.

The event offers the international food business a source of information while providing a purchasing platform covering technology for production in all food and beverage industries.

The event’s concept means it is independent of any one sector, raw ingredients or sub-processes. Anuga FoodTec enables small and medium-sized enterprises to meet top international decision-makers from the food and beverage industries. Indeed, 81% of visitors stated in 2009 that they had sole or shared responsibility for making procurement decisions at their companies.

Another visitor survey revealed that 77% of trade visitors were managers or technical decision-makers at their companies. Unusually for a German exhibition, Anuga FoodTec attracts 45% of its visitors from outside Germany.

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