Human-robot collaboration in the smart factory

The future belongs to human-robot collaboration. Kuka is therefore expanding its portfolio with the iisy lightweight robot. It weighs only 18.8 kg. (Image: Kuka)

Combining HRC and mobility is the next logical step to ensure that the production of the future offers maximum flexibility. If the strengths of a sensitive lightweight robot are combined with a mobile and autonomous platform, the robot becomes a location-independent and flexible production assistant with an unrestricted workspace - a very good prerequisite for the requirements of Industry 4.0.

People, machines, robots and conveyor systems are also closely networked in logistics centers in order to efficiently control material flows. Sensors and networked IT systems enable each component to make decisions about the course of the supply chain at the right time. In an automated item picking application, for example, collaborative robots are able to pick items provided by storage systems directly from bins using an integrated modern image processing system. This allows humans to concentrate on tasks that serve to refine the process.

In production, humans and robots can form a productive team with the help of HRC solutions. The human is and remains cognitively superior, is creative and works as a strategist, while the robot contributes its repetition accuracy, strength and endurance to the collaboration while maintaining prescribed safety standards. Its capabilities will continue to improve step by step: Robots will become better and better at working directly with humans, mastering gesture and voice control, perceiving their environment and integrating themselves intuitively into changing processes. Intelligent machines will be mobile and capable of learning, sharing knowledge, acting in a swarm and thus playing a key role in the factory of the future.

New lightweight robots are optimized for HRC

In order to meet future requirements such as easy handling and flexible manufacturing processes, robot manufacturers are launching new lightweight robots, or LBRs for short. Kuka is no exception. With the sensitive iisy lightweight robot, the Swabian robot specialist is expanding its portfolio in the field of human-robot collaboration in the low payload range. The prototype of the LBR iisy will be presented to a wide audience at Automatica.

The iiwa is already being used in intralogistics: Mounted on a mobile unit, it ensures a smooth material flow in Kuka's production. (Image: Kuka)

Following the LBR iiwa, the world's first series-produced sensitive lightweight robot for industry, series production of the automation specialist's second sensitive robot will start in 2019.

A robot for everyday work

As the name suggests, the LBR iisy is easy to use: It is aimed at a target group that has process knowledge, but not necessarily programming knowledge. Programming the LBR is quick to learn, easy to understand and can be implemented immediately.

The user-friendly system adapts to the user's level of expertise with different operating levels - from Java programming to simple teaching of the cobot by hand. This principle is intended to pave the way for robotics in everyday working life in the long term.

The iisy follows on from Kuka's iiwa lightweight robot, which can already be found in numerous HRC applications. (Image: Kuka)

The LBR iisy is suitable for frequently changing automation tasks where fast reactions are required in the process. It is designed for simpler assembly tasks, while the LBR iiwa can also perform more complex tasks in the payload range up to 14 kg. The two robots complement each other. The LBR iisy supports all essential industry standard functions, such as OPC UA, fieldbus protocols, digital and analog I/Os, safety and much more. This means that the LBR iisy can be integrated into existing industrial environments. The iisy weighs 18.8 kg and meets PL d / Cat 3 safety requirements. With a reach of 600 mm, the new lightweight robot has a payload of 3 kg. It can be used in a very space-saving manner and offers optimum utilization of the workspace. Commissioning should take less than 30 minutes and reprogramming for new tasks should be quick and easy. Another advantage: even in the event of unplanned interruptions, it remembers every movement or activity carried out and can resume work ad hoc without having to be retrained. Its six axes contain the joint torque sensors that are already used in the LBR iiwa.

According to documents from Kuka / ag

Automatica, Hall A5, Stand 221