The Lexium cobot product line, from left to right: RL3, RL5, RL7, and RL12 (not to scale). | Credit: Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric today at MODEX announced the release of two new collaborative robots: the Lexium RL 3 and RL 12, as well as the Lexium RL 18 model coming later this year. From single-axis machines to high-performance, multi-axis cobots, the Lexium line enables high-speed motion and control of up to 130 axes from one processor. This enables precise positioning to help solve manufacturer production, flexibility, and sustainability challenges, said the company.
“As U.S. manufacturing increases, the demand for smart machines is growing, and customers are requiring robots with digital twin capabilities that validate machine performance to help them quickly increase production consistently, efficiently, and sustainably,” stated Christine Bush, leader of the Robotics Center of Excellence at Schneider Electric.
“We are partnering with our customers to understand their challenges and pain points, then responding with complete, customized automation solutions – from power products and HMIs [human-machine interfaces] to PLCs [programmable logic controllers] and robotics – to simplify the process and meet their needs,” she added.
In addition to robots, Schneider Electric said it offers digitally engineered automation from concept to operation and maintenance. The company‘s EcoStruxure architecture connects smart devices, controls, software, and services to enable collaborative data flow from shop-floor to top-floor machine control.
Schneider Electric also said it provides robots using Modicon motion controllers, which combine PLC, motion, and robotics control on a single hardware platform with the EcoStruxure Machine Expert software.
Lexium digital twins offer layout, programming
The Lexium Cobots feature a positioning accuracy of +/- 0.02 mm (+/- 0.00079 in.), as well as a wide range of payloads from 3 to 18 kg (6.6 to 39.6 lb.), coming soon. The cobots range in price from $27,368 to $41,170.
The Lexium Cobot product line is compatible with EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin, a software suite that creates digital models of real machines. It allows for virtual test strategies and commissioning, as well as shortened factory acceptance testing (FAT).
Digitizing these processes can reduce time-to-market by up to 50% and commissioning time by up to 60%, according to Schneider Electric. A 20% to 40% savings in investment costs can also be realized due to faster time to market, the company claimed.
Robot assembly, installation, and maintenance are faster with increased computational power, open software, and networking, it said. Software and automation work together using a centralized architecture and open-standard programming platform.
In addition to fast deployment, collaborative robots allow for more ergonomic work, easier integration with existing equipment and processes, and consistent output for higher product quality, said Schneider Electric. It also cited the benefit of reduced workplace strain and injuries.
For U.S. manufacturers to stay globally competitive, they must modernize processes by embracing the digitization of Industry 4.0, which includes advances in AI, machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), and digital twins, said Schneider Electric. The latest software can help makers develop new ideas quickly, cut down on working time, and meet shifting customer demand, it noted.
As the business world moves toward Industry 5.0, Lexium’s motion and robot solutions will likely change the way things are done and make personalized automated manufacturing possible.
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