October 5 , 2007
Welcome to the October 2007 issue of Motoman Direct, containing news, product information, and updates from Motoman Inc.
Featured Products
NEW!!! Motoman ArcWorld/FabWorld Configurator
Motoman now offers a web-based tool that will help you select the best ArcWorld or FabWorld solution to meet your application needs.
NEW!!! Dual-Arm DIA10 Robot Features Innovative, 15-Axis Design and “Human-Like” Flexibility of Movement
With a 10 kg payload per arm, the DIA10 robot is ideally suited for a wide variety of packaging, assembly, part transfer, machine tending and other handling tasks that formerly could only be done by people. The DIA10’s actuator-based design means that the motor, encoder, reducer and brake for each robot axis are combined in one small, lightweight yet powerful package that is significantly smaller than a traditional AC servo motor drive. Advantages include a slim arm profile, lightweight robot body and high wrist moment and inertia ratings.
NEW!!! UH-Series 3-Axis Cartesian Robots
Ideal for high-speed, high-accuracy positioning of large workpieces in applications such as flexible automotive lines that spot weld or handle a variety of models. They are available in 100 kg, 200 kg and 300 kg payloads with a range of reaches...
PX-Series "Expert Painting" Robots Deliver Smooth Finish on Virtually Any Part, Large or Small
These flexible six-axis manipulators optimize performance in industrial and automotive painting/coating applications. Available in a wide range of payloads and reaches, PX-series robots can be used for primer, base coat, finish coat, clear coat and spray dispensing using water-based, solvent, powder, glaze or glue/adhesive materials...
Yes, I would like a member of Motoman's sales team to contact me about the above product(s).
Corporate News
Click on the following links to see Motoman's latest ads:
NEW!!! SSA2000 - 15% Faster Welding. No Additional Cost.
"ArcWorld V"
"Customer Satisfaction"
"EPL-Series Palletizing Robots"
"Motoman Points the Way"
"Push Your Presses"
Editorials, Case Studies, & Articles
"Robots Help American Red Cross Improve Productivity and Traceability" by Mary Kay Morel - Today's Medical Developments - September 2007
Read about how three Motoman AutoSorter II laboratory automation workcells are helping the American Red Cross sort up to 10,000 samples a day to multiple targets...
"Bottling Line for 3- and 5-gal Bottles at Drinkmore Incorporates a Monobloc Filler/Capper" by Jack Mans - Packaging Digest - July 2007
DrinkMore Water uses an 80 kg Motoman robot to pick up two bottles at a time, orient them properly, and then place them into a rack. In the article, Bob Perini, the company's president, says: "The Aquatyzer robot has been one of the best investments I have ever made. Our worker's comp claims have dropped to zero, my employees have embraced the new technology and my only regret is not getting the robot sooner."
"Auto Supplier Adds Handling Robots; Fully Automates Assembly of Engine Manifolds" by Mary Kay Morel - Robotics Online - August 10, 2007
Keihin IPT Mfg. Inc. (KIM) uses five Motoman robots, each performing three operations, to load/unload custom assembly machines that add heat inserts, collars and gaskets to plastic intake manifolds used in four-cylinder gasoline engines...
"Robot Revolution" by Joe Cogliano II - Business in Dayton - August 24,2007
(Cover and article on page 70.) Profile article on Motoman and how advanced robotic technology is helping keep jobs in the U.S. ...
(Link not available. Contact www.daytonbusinessjournal.com.)
"Vision Enables Freestyle Bin Picking" by Winn Hardin - June 2007
(Cover photo and article on Pages 51-55.) DaimlerChrysler uses Motoman UP130 robots to perform vision-guided bin picking of semi-oriented axle shafts in several workcells.
(Free Registration required to access archives.)
Helpful Hints
Each issue of Motoman Direct includes "helpful hints" designed to provide bits of practical advice and programming tips that will help our customers maximize the productivity of their Motoman robots.
HIGH-FREQUENCY CONTACTORS
Contactor life expectancy is rated by cycles. The contactors Motoman uses for standard applications were specified with a certain duty cycle in mind. Motoman standard systems enable the servos for the entire time the system is in operation, only turning them off for teaching, major alarms, E-Stops, gate intrusions, and daily shutdowns. The expected life cycle of standard contactors matches this duty cycle very well. Some systems are designed to turn on servo power at the beginning of each cycle and shut them off again when the cycle is finished. Cycling servo power hundreds of times per day will drastically reduce the life expectancy of standard contactors. Motoman has optional high-frequency contactor units designed to handle this higher-duty cycle. If you are designing a system like this, please include this option in your order.
PROGRAM LABELS
Here’s a hint for programmers. Have you ever created a job that was so large that it became difficult to navigate? Maybe you tried creating Comments to help, but finding the right spot still was not easy. Comments are a great way to help explain what is going on in a job but they don’t help much when you’re trying to find a certain section in a thousand lines of code. This is where Labels come in. Labels are typically used with the Jump command. What sets Labels apart from Comments, is that you can search for them. Under the Edit pull-down at the top of the screen, choose Search, then choose Search Label in the list of options. Simple labels, like numbers, combined with your comments, will allow you to easily navigate and understand your programs.
For more helpful hints, click here.
Customer Satisfaction & Training
Motoman's on-line Customer Care Center offers enhanced E-commerce functions and much more. Available 24/7, the site enables you to order spare/replacement parts, software, and manuals; check order status; and register for training at the Motoman Technical Education Center or for our growing offering of web-based training. It also features product information, technical resources and tools to help you manage your Motoman products. Please follow the link below to complete your registration and begin using the site!
https://ecommerce.motoman.com/opencms/customercare/motoman/index.html
First NX100 Basic Programming Class to be taught using SES Virtual Robot Training Simulators is being offered at Motoman's Wixom, MI, (Detroit) office October 1. "SES" units are PC-based training simulators that allows customers to learn to operate and program Motoman robots in the virtual world while keeping their actual robots in production.
Register Online for Motoman Training
Classes
You can register for
all Motoman training classes in the U.S. and Canada on-line through
Motoman's website.
Trade Shows
If you missed Motoman's exhibit at FIN-X in September but would like a copy of the post-show mailer, click on the following link:
http://www.motoman.com/motomedia/shows/highlights/fin-x_2007.pdf
Motoman products and services will be exhibited at the following trade shows and expositions. If you plan to attend, please visit our booth:
PackExpo - October 15-17 - Las Vegas Convention Center - Las Vegas, NV - Booth #3543.
G2E - November 13-15 - Las Vegas Convention Center - Las Vegas, NV.
Fabtech - Nov. 11-14 - McCormick Place - Chicago, IL - Booth 5017.
MOTOQUOTE PUZZLE
Decipher the following encrypted "MotoQuote" phrase (a puzzle in which one letter has been substituted for another) and e-mail the answer, along with your name, company name, company address, and work phone number to marykay.morel@motoman.com. On October 12, we will draw a winner from eligible respondents who correctly solve the MotoQuote puzzle. The prize, a Motoman ball cap, will be sent to the lucky winner.
Clues: The word for our company’s primary product appears somewhere in the puzzle phrase. If you need more help, E=X and P=K.
SBA YKNKUW GBQC-QAH ASDSW LKQWBAKU
QIWBQWSA-GAZMKY GKUZVY, LZLWKKY QEKU SL HSWZSY
QYG Q WKY-PZCSVAQH TQJCSQG.