Welding Robot Offers Improved Speed

The six-axis MA1440 arc welding robot from Yaskawa Motoman features a 6-kg payload and a larger wrist hole for utilities. Equipped with the DX200 robot controller, the robot is said to be more energy efficient and offer improved maintainability over the previous MA1400 model. A material-handling version of the robot featuring a 12-kg payload is also available (MH12).

The welding robot features a contoured arm structure that reduces interference by enlarging its close-range motion area, making it suitable for welding large workpieces and reaching over jigs. The upper arm shape also provides a mounting area with more room for the feeder. Available in floor-, wall- or ceiling-mounted configurations and well-suited for high-density layouts, the space-saving robot incorporates Sigma-5 motor control technology.  

The robot has a 1,440-mm (56.7") horizontal reach, 2,511-mm (98.9") vertical reach and ±0.08-mm (±0.003") repeatability. Its integrated through-the-arm torch cabling eliminates cable interference, simplifies programming and reduces cable wear. The enlarged 50-mm through-hole can accommodate signal cables for sensors, higher current cables and water-cooling lines. The higher payload enables mounting motorized torches and cameras on the wrist for welding applications.

The DX200 controller can control as many as eight robots (72 axes), I/O devices and communication protocols. Its I/O suite includes integral PLC and HMI pendant displays, high-speed Ethernet communication, 4,096 I/O addresses, and a graphical ladder editor. An enhanced functional safety unit (FSU) provides control reliable zone and tool-position monitoring, stand-still monitoring, and speed limiting, reducing costs for safeguarding hardware and enabling collaborative tasks.