Established in 1915, Yaskawa has continually marked itself as an innovator through its Motoman series of industrial robots. The company has been constantly innovating in large and small ways, from introducing the L10WA in 1983 (the first 6-axis robot to feature an extra wrist) to the new MotoMini, one of the smallest and lightest 6-axis robot in the industry.

In this spotlight on Yaskawa, we’ll look at how you can program Yaskawa robots easily for your chosen application.

The Yaskawa Story: What Sets Yaskawa Robots Apart

Yaskawa has passed some momentous milestones in recent years. In 2015, it celebrated its 100th anniversary and in 2021 they sold their 500,000th robot. With this rising popularity, many more people are using Yaskawa robots for a wide range of applications.

Founded by Daigorou Yasukawa, the company’s story began in 1915 when it began manufacturing three-phase induction motors. Yaskawa’s robotic journey began in the 1960s with the introduction of various robotic products, including MOTO fingers and arms. Their first full electric robot, MOTOMAN-L10, was completed in 1977.

Yaskawa’s core brand values revolve around the principles of quality, profitability, and market satisfaction. The company is committed to using its technologies to improve management efficiency and contribute to social development and human welfare.

What Industries are Yaskawa Robots Used In?

Yaskawa’s industrial robots have found widespread adoption across various sectors, solidifying its position as a global leader.

Within the electrical and electronic manufacturing industry, companies utilize Yaskawa robots throughout the entire production process, from upstream production to downstream testing and shipping. Their smaller robots prove particularly advantageous for manufacturers operating within limited space.

For industries like biomedical and semiconductor manufacturing, Yaskawa provides specific robot solutions that can operate under hygiene control requirements.

Other industries include food production, logistics, and automotive manufacturing.

3 Example Applications for Yaskawa Robots

Whatever application you are looking to deploy, it’s likely a Yaskawa robot exists to help you to achieve it.

Here are 3 example applications from different industries that people are already achieving with Yaskawa robots:

1. Electronics mounting, welding, and painting

In the “3C” industry (Communication, Computer, and Consumer Electronics), robots are involved at almost all stages.

Yaskawa robots are often used in the construction and finishing of circuit boards. This includes assembly of the casings, welding and soldering of metal pieces, and painting of the final product.

A particular challenge for such applications is often space restrictions, which Yaskawa has addressed with a range of small, light robots.

2. Experiment preparation and analysis

In the biomedical manufacturing industry, Yaskawa robotic solutions that operate under strict hygiene controls with high precision.

One type of application in this industry includes the preparation of biological specimens for testing and running of the tests.

By using such robots, the skilled biological researchers can focus on more high-level tasks like analyzing the data gathered during the tests.

3. Flat Panel Display Glass Transporting

Many applications in the semiconductor manufacturing industry are suitable for robotic automation.

One such task involves manufacturing Flat Panel Display (FPD) glass, which companies use to produce computer monitors, smartphones, and televisions.

Robots are an ideal solution for handling and processing of this glass as even small amounts of dust can jeopardize the product quality.

Options for Programming Yaskawa Robots

Whatever application you choose for your Yaskawa robot, it’s important to find a method of programming that helps you to deploy the robot easily and efficiently.

There are 3 main options for programming a Yaskawa robot:

1. Brand Programming Langauge: Inform II — the primary language for programming is Inform II, though Yaskawa also supports some PLC-integrated options. This is the most labor-intensive method.
2. Teach Pendant — A very common method of teaching Yaskawa robots is to use the teach pendant, which involves manually guiding the robot through movements. It is a time-consuming approach.
3. RoboDK — For a more intuitive and graphical approach to programming, supported by a powerful API if you need it, you can also program your Yaskawa robots offline using RoboDK.

Spotlight on 3 Models in the RoboDK Library

The robot library includes an extensive collection of Yaskawa robots models.

At the time of writing, it includes over 90 Yaskawa models, of various types, including 5 and 6 DoF arms, Delta, Scara, and palletizing robots, as well as external axes.

Here are 3 models that you can find in the library:

Robot 1: Yaskawa HC10

The Yaskawa HC10 is a 6-axis robot that is commonly used for arc welding applications. It offers a 10 kg payload, 1.2 m of reach, and a repeatability of 0.1 mm.

This collaborative robot is designed to enhance current production by adding collaborative welding capabilities.

Robot 2: Motoman MPP3

The Motoman MPP3 is a 4-axis Delta robot that balances compact design and operational reach. It has a 1 kg payload, 650 mm of reach, and repeatability of 0.1 mm. It is also on the heavy side at 115 kg weight.

Optimized for primary packaging this robot is ideal for the food industry as it uses an NSF-H1 certified food-grade lubricants and anti-corrosive coating.

Robot 3: Motoman MPL800II

The Motoman MPL800II is a 4-axis palletizing robot arm offering an impressive 800 kg of payload and 3.2 m of reach. The repeatability is 0.5 mm and its weight is 2550 kg.

With its large payload, this is the largest palletizing robot that Yaskawa manufactures.

How to Program Yaskawa Robots Easily with RoboDK

If you want to streamline the deployment process for your Yaskawa industrial robot, it’s worth looking at using RoboDK for your programming.

RoboDK’s rich simulation environment makes it easy to quickly design robot programs and test them before you put the robot into production. The intuitive graphical interface allows you to quickly create robust programs while the API allows you to incorporate any advanced features you want.

To start, download a trial copy of RoboDK from our download page and load up your favorite robot model.

Which Yaskawa model do you use and for which applications? Tell us in the comments below or join the discussion on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or in the RoboDK Forum.. Also, check out our extensive video collection and subscribe to the RoboDK YouTube Channel

The post Spotlight on… Yaskawa: How to Program Yaskawa Robots Easily appeared first on RoboDK blog.

Perhaps you’re confused because many industrial robots can be used for painting?

Here are 5 of the top painting robots specifically designed for professional-grade surface finishing.

Painting robots were in the news last year when a robot artist, name Ai-Da, became the first to stage an exhibition. This follows on from the controversial $432,500 sale of a robot-produced artwork titled “Edmond de Belamy” in 2018.

But, most of us are not looking for artistic merit when we are looking for a painting robot. We just want a reliable robot that is easy to program and gives us the surface finish that we need for our product.

Many industrial robots can be used for painting. However, the task is sometimes difficult to achieve due to the slightly complex interaction between the different components and the safety requirements of the robot.

A few robot manufacturers have tackled this problem head-on with their integrated painting solutions. Below, we list some of the top robots for painting.

What Features Does a Painting Robot Need?

There are a few features that are necessary for good quality robot painting. These enable the robot to quickly and flexibly paint any object with the minimum of waste.

1. Enough Degrees of Freedom — The more DoF that a robot has, the more able it is to approach a particular point from multiple angles. This is important as the painting tool must retain an exact distance from the surface to ensure a consistent paint job wherever it is in the robot’s workspace.
2. Atomizer — The business end of any paint tool. This turns the liquid paint into a spray or fine mist for application on the work surface.
3. Paint Pump — This pumps the paint from its storage receptacle into the paint tool.
4. Color Changer — Some painting robots allow you to switch between different paint colors quickly by using a color changer. The switching process can produce some wastage as the old color needs to be flushed out of the atomizer.
5. Hollow wrists — A defining feature of dedicated painting robots is that they have a hollow wrist. This means that the cables and paint tubes can run through the wrist, rather than outside it, and avoids them getting covered in paint.
6. Explosion-proof — Working with flammable liquids like paint presents a real danger of explosions. Dedicated painting robots are often built to be “explosion-proof” to ensure that, if an explosion does happen, the robot is able to withstand it.
7. Paint Programming Software — Any robot application needs a good system for programming. Ideally, you want a software which makes it easy to program complex painting trajectories with the minimum of programming. RoboDK includes a tool that can produce a painting path automatically from any curve on the 3D model of your workpiece.

Various systems for robot painting will require other extras and accessories. But, these are the core features you will probably need.

7 Top Painting Robots for Professional Surface Finishing

Thankfully, you don’t need to buy all of the extras individually! Some robot manufacturers have created ready-built painting solutions which include all of the extras you will need for your painting application.

1. KUKA and Dürr’s ready2_spray

German company Dürr has long been a market leader in the automotive industry, providing assembly and painting solutions. A couple of years ago they teamed up with robot manufacturer KUKA to produce the ready2_spray solution.

The solution is based around KUKA’s AGILUS KR 10 R1100 robot and provides all of the necessary components for a painting robot. They even created a cutesy animation on the ready2_spray webpage which demonstrates the difference between this and a normal KUKA painting robot.

2. FANUC’s PaintMate

Another big name in the robotics world, FANUC’s dedicated painting solution is the PaintMate series. Like the previously mentioned solutions, it is explosion-proof via compliance to the ATEX directive for equipment working in an explosive environment.

PaintMate comes in a variety of different sizes, each based around one of FANUC’s robot models.

3. B+M Surface Systems

Although a lesser-known robot manufacturer than the previous options, German company B+M Surface Systems specializes in surface finishing technologies, ranging from dipping technologies to robotic painting solutions.

4. ABB’s FlexPainter

ABB was the pioneer of painting robots way back in the late 1960s. Their newest painting robot, the FlexPainter, continues to innovate with their new ABB Ability Connected Atomizer — the “world’s first digital automotive robotic painting system.”

Like other painting robots, the Flexpainter (based around the IRB 5500) has a large work envelope, allowing it to reach across even large workpieces to paint the other side.

5. Kawasaki’s Robotic Painting

Kawasaki provides its own robotic painting solution based on its K-Series robots. Like all the robots on this list, they come with a range of peripherals which improve the painting experience and, importantly, are suited to the pressurized environment of a painting booth.

6. Yaskawa’s MPX/MPO Series

Yaskawa provides its Motoman MPX/MPO Series robots which are designed for painting tasks.

Like the other robots listed here, these Motoman’s can be mounted in a variety of configurations (e.g. from the ceiling, wall or floor) allowing for greater flexibility in the painting task.

7. Stäubli Paint Robots

Stäubli’s paint solutions are based around some of its TX and RX robots. Process parameters are controlled via the company’s PaintiXen software, which controls the parameters like flow rate, atomization, and electrostatic charge. Stäubli claims that this software reduces solvent and paint by 30%.

How to Program a Painting Robot

With all of the robots listed, the default programming options are through the teach pendant or the manufacturer’s programming language. Both can be an arduous way to program a robot.

However, with offline programming, you can program paint trajectories in minutes. Many of the robots on this list are compatible with offline programming by using the appropriate post-processors.

Many of the models listed are available in our Robot Library and RoboDK allows you to control them winthin minutes. This allows you to quickly and easily program painting paths using only your 3D model as an input.

What features do you require from a painting robot? Tell us in the comments below or join the discussion on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or in the RoboDK Forum.

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