Automate 2024: Kawasaki, NEURA showcase new CL series cobots

Industrial robot manufacturer Kawasaki Robotics recently offered a first look at its new CL family of collaborative robots (cobots) at Automate 2024 in booth 2557. The trade show is being held May 6-9 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. Attendance is free.

A3 said this year’s show is the biggest yet, featuring more than 365,000 square feet of exhibit space, over 800 exhibitors, and an expected 30,000 registrants, with learning and networking opportunities. Attendees are able to see the latest in robotics, machine vision, artificial intelligence (AI), and motion control.

Kawasaki Robotics will also feature new applications using the Kawasaki R Series and BX Series AI-enabled industrial robots, all created in close collaboration with partners such as Mech Mind, CRG Automation, AMT Precision Parts, and Olis Robotics. 

“From our AI-enabled robots to our rich library of technology partners, it’s the collective use of human ingenuity that fuels Kawasaki’s product offerings,” said Seiji Amazawa, Kawasaki Robotics president. “Our goal is to harness industrial automation in a way that makes the possibilities virtually limitless for our customers, and our Automate showing will help to reinforce that.”

CL series cobots fitted for welding, finishing, and palletizing

Designed and built in Germany, and powered with NEURA Robotics’ robot assistance technology, the CL series can run at a speed of 200 degrees per second with repeatability of +/- 0.02 millimeters, or 0.0008 inches. Payloads and reaches include:

• 3 kilograms at 590 millimeters, or about 6.6 pounds at 23 inches
• 5 kilograms at 800 millimeters, or about 11 pounds at 31 inches
• 8 kilograms at 1300 millimeters, or about 17.6 pounds at 51 inches
• 10 kilograms at 1000 millimeters, or about 22 pounds at 39 inches

The CL series robot arms also include free mounting orientations, small footprints, and IP66 classification.

Kawasaki said its CL series offers components such as integrated 24-bit encoders and a lightweight construction. Paired with the CL Series user interface and safety architecture, these cobots can facilitate human/robot collaboration. 

The CL series and applications including welding, finishing, multi-SKU palletizing and depalletizing, and an automated corner board solution demonstrate Kawasaki’s commitment to continually optimizing its product offerings, aided by its technology-agnostic stance and expanding network of partners, the company said.

Partnership projects on display at Automate

Kawasaki Robotics’ display at Automate 2024 also included:

• An adaptable robotic finishing solution designed by AMT Precision Parts, capable of handling diverse materials and surface types.
• Unstructured, autonomous parcel sorting with the Kawasaki R Series, enabled by Mech Mind’s 3D camera and AI-powered software.

A full-featured technology display brought to life by partner CRG Automation, showcasing Multi-SKU palletizing and depalletizing using a BX130X robot and an automated corner board application using an RS007L robot, with “Olis Connect,” an edge-hosted product by Olis Robotics providing remote control and monitoring of the entire system.

Want to learn more about machine vision? This article was featured in the August 2024 Robotics 24/7 Special Focus Issue titled “Machine vision to increase robot precision.”

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