FANUC America, a global industrial automation offering provider, announced the release of two new robots at the 2024 International Manufacturing Technology Show IMTS in Chicago.
The FANUC Series 500i-A CNC and ROBODRILL α-D28LiB5ADV Plus Y500 will be featured at the company’s booth during the show.
500i-A CNC advances machine performance
This new control series comes with 5-axis integrated technology and supports both machine tool builders and CNC users with their evolving needs including easier operations, more security and optimized efficiency.
With its dual engine architecture, the new control has 2.7 times higher CPU processing power than previous models and comes with updated modern hardware and graphically enhanced software. This higher performance, including improvements in both block processing time and macro program processing, is designed to help machine shops drive down cycle times with faster speeds and improved productivity.
“With the market demands and challenges, we know there is a real need to make parts quicker, better and easier,” said Jon Heddleson, General Manager of the factory automation division for FANUC America. “The 500i-A CNC will help the industry by providing optimized 5-axis integrated technology, which more shops are moving towards. Plus, the new controls are designed to simplify operation and maintenance.”
The FANUC Series 500i-A CNC shares benefits with FANUC’s other control platforms, such as high precision, accuracy and rock-solid reliability, but with additional benefits attained from the latest CNC features as well as the integration of FANUC’s new generation servo system Alpha i-D Series, according to the company.
“FANUC’s new generation servo system delivers high speed and high precision while reducing energy loss,” said John Horn, national sales manager for FANUC America’s factory automation division. “The Alpha i-D servo motors are designed with increased speed-torque characteristics, offer superior protection through the IP67 rating as standard and can be ordered with battery-less encoders. The drive systems have a smaller footprint to save cabinet space, helping to make the entire system more efficient.”
Another upgrade to the 500i-A CNC is the new control’s modern iHMI2 interface, which has a simplified display with 1-1 task-to-screen eliminating the need to switch between screens. Plus, maintenance has never been easier with the control’s battery-less system.
FANUC CNC systems, including the new 500i-A CNC, continue to advance IoT efforts via centralized data collection and management software offerings while guarding against cybersecurity issues with features like FOCAS3, user authentication and data access protection.
FANUC also continues to support its machine tool builders with a wide array of development tools to help them go to market. These tools are designed to optimize machine tools, including improved user experience, faster cycle times and better performance. The FANUC Series 500i-A CNC offers digital twin technology to assist in complex machine design, plus, provides the ability of builders to fully customize user interfaces.
ROBODRILL adds more offerings to vertical machining center
The new ROBODRILL α-D28LiB5ADV Plus Y500 vertical machining center (VMC) features a larger table, shorter drilling and tapping cycles as well as more tools coupled with faster tool changes.
FANUC’s ROBODRILL α-D28LiB5ADV Plus Y500 is designed for peak performance covering a wide range of tasks and excelling at machining large workpieces, according to the company. This is due to its extended Y-axis stroke (500 mm) and increased table size, all without increasing the ROBODRILL’s footprint. The new ROBODRILL speeds up drilling and tapping operations via a rapid Z-axis acceleration (2.2 G) and traverse rate (60m/min). Plus, with an expanded tool capacity of 28 tools and lightning-fast changes, FANUC says the new ROBODRILL α-D28LiB5ADV Plus Y500 will boost productivity for any machining application.
“We understand modern machine shops, particularly in the automotive industry, need to produce constantly, maximize machine time, and reduce any interruptions to production,” says Lou Finazzo, vice president of FANUC America. “The new α-D28LiB5ADV Plus Y500 is built for reliable production, tailored to our customers’ needs for extra capabilities without sacrificing any floorspace.”
The enhanced performance of the new ROBODRILL α-D28LiB5ADV Plus Y500 is designed to help machine shops drive down cycle times with faster speeds and improved productivity. Additionally, the company says the new VCM offers easy robotic integration tools with other FANUC robots.
This newest ROBODRILL Plus continues to build on ROBODRILL’s 50-year reputation. The ROBODRILL Plus lineup offers precision and versatility with three model sizes available each in two choices: Standard or Advanced.
FANUC says that there are nearly a half million ROBODRILLs operating around the world.
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