Designed specifically for end-of-line operations, Yaskawa Motoman’s MPL-series robots are available with 80 to 800-kg payload capacity to suit myriad applications, including palletizing. These high-performance palletizing robots offer the highest allowable wrist moment of inertia ratings.

The four-axis, higher-payload MPL-series models feature a 3.1 m horizontal and 3 m vertical reach with a 360° envelope, enabling them to accommodate multiple infeed conveyors and pallet build locations. Internally routed air hoses and wiring and fieldbus tube through all four robot axes virtually eliminate cable and hose wear. This unique design culminates in a hollow wrist that provides high reliability for cables and hoses that are traditionally a maintenance problem for industrial robots.

The smaller five-axis MPL80 II robot works for end-of-line palletizing needing a smaller footprint. Options include NSF-H1 certified food-grade lubricants, PalletSolver palletizing software and easy-to-integrate MotoSight vision software. Jump down for more on MotoSight.

MPL-series robots are compatible with the DX200 controller or PLC-integrated MLX200 platform.
The energy-saving DX200 features faster processing speeds, enhanced control-reliable safety and improved maintainability. MLX200 offers Add-On-Instructions for ladder-based programming for ease of use and maintenance.

At Pack Expo 2015, an MPL80 II robot was featured in an interactive, end-of-line palletizing demonstration. Users created new pallet patterns and performed quick changeovers to build pallets, simulating the on-demand environment of today’s packaging world. Here is the previous version of the setup from Universal Robotics in late 2013:

Improved MotoSight 2D global edition vision solution makes robot guidance easy

One related technology, Yaskawa’s MotoSight 2D Global Edition, a 2D-vision application, was also on display at this year’s PackExpo. This features a pendant-based programming environment and does not require a PC.

Powered by Cognex, the easy-to-integrate vision for Motoman robots includes an IP67-rated Yaskawa camera (MS100, MS200, MS300) and robot-controller software. Through the pendant, users can view live camera images, train vision models and assign vision data results to robot variables quickly and easily. Users can also display and edit EasyView tagged vision data, which allows customization of vision tools and results. With MotoSight 2D, EasyBuilder vision tools and robot macros permit fast and easy programming of complex vision applications. Additionally, the calibration and initial setup of the vision system is streamlined to simplify setup.

MotoSight 2D adds functionality to a variety of Yaskawa Motoman’s robot controllers. Those controllers use native communications to the vision camera so that it tightly integrates data directly into the robot programming language. Example programs reduce configuration time. The robot and camera programs can then serve as a starting point to implement a specific vision solution.

MotoSight 2D supports eight languages. Optional Cognex In-Sight Micro 1050, 1100 and 1400, and 5000- and 7000-series cameras are available.