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Unimate Series Information
The UNIMATE Series 2000 and 4000 industrial robots are among the most widely used industrial robots in the world. With over 20 years of continued improvement they are highly reliable, easy-to-use robots. They have been used successfully for spot welding, die casting and investment casting, material handling and many other applications. The UNIMATE Series 2000 and 4000 robots feature up to six fully programmable axes of motion and are designed for high-speed handling of parts weighing up to 500 lbs. The dedicated electronic control is regarded as one of the simplest controllers available in the industry today for teaching and operating industrial robots. EASE OF USE The basis of the UNIMATE Series 2000 and 4000 wide spread use is the ease with which they can be programmed. Using a teach pendant, the robot arm is literally walked through the desired task, with the operator entering the end-point of each movement into the controller memory. No special programming knowledge is required, and execution speed is independent of the teaching pace. Thus, tasks can be set up quickly and easily. The controller can store up to 2,048 steps in its battery-backed C-MOS digital memory allowing users to place up to 64 separate programs into memory and call them up as required in whatever order desired. With random program selection, stored programs can be called up automatically by external signals giving the user flexibility in scheduling long or short runs of specific processes with minimal down time, increasing productivity and production control. Additional programs can be stored on magnetic cassette tapes. HIGH REPEATABILITY The motions of each of the robots axes are hydraulically powered and digital-servo controlled, making it possible to control speed, direction of movement and placement more precisely than with other types of drive systems. The motions of the Series 2000 and 4000 are arranged along a spherical coordinate system, for optimum handling efficiency. This proven drive system and control performs complex movements with high repeatability. TACKLING COMPLEX TASKS The UNIMATE Series 2000 and 4000 robots have three degrees of arm motion and two or three wrist articulations, giving them the ability to execute complex manipulations, within a large work area. Using standard or custom designed grippers, the robots perform the intricate motions necessary for such critical tasks as die maintenance. For specialized applications, the efficiency of the units can be further enhanced by such options as high-speed press-transfer capability or a 5th axis spin control feature for investment casting. The Series 2000 robot is also available with an extended-length boom. EASE OF INSTALLATION The robots are completely self-contained and shielded units that require no special floor preparation for installation. Yet, they are portable enough to be resituated when product or process changes necessitate. With a steel weldment base, steel trunk casting and low-mass aluminum arm, these robots are rugged enough to withstand the harsh environments of heavy manufacturing, such as die casting and forging operations. The UNIMATE Series 2000 has its controller integral to the base. However, where floor space is limited the controller can be housed separately. It can also be specified in an extremely compact "space-saver" configuration. In this form, the controller console and hydraulic power supply are separate, allowing the robot to be installed in limited workspaces, on a side or overhead fixture for specific applications such as welding roof sections on car and truck cab bodies. On the 4000, the controller console is housed separately or it is available in the space saver configuration. FLEXIBILITY The UNIMATE Series 2000 and 4000 can be easily integrated into existing production processes because they can be taught most any defined task. In addition to flexibility in programming, they also respond to changes in on-going production processes through input/output lines. Feedback from a wide range of sensors, including ram and limiter switches, enables the robots to receive input from machine tools, conveyors, and casting and molding machines. With these communication capabilities, the Series 2000 and 4000 can respond in such ways as halting production or branching to alternative predestinated routines, maximizing production efficiency while ensuring control and safety. The controller can also accept a standard RS-232 interface, enabling it to communicate with computers and factory controllers so that the unit can be easily integrated into automated manufacturing systems. APPLICATIONS With the flexibility, ruggedness and heavy payload carrying capability, UNIMATE robots are used successfully in a wide range of handling and manufacturing operations. Having undergone twenty years of continuous product improvements, they offer demonstrated reliability of up to 98%. Available with a full complement of standard options, the UNIMATE Series 2000 and 4000 robots can be tailored to specific applications, including: MACHINE TOOL Loading - where they load and unload machine tools tirelessly and consistently. Interfacing to the machine tool allows for automatic gauging and part inspection. The result is maximum utilization of capital equipment, and controlled flow of material. DIE CASTING - in single or multi-shift operations, custom or captive shops, UNIMATE robots can often pay for themselves in less than a year. They unload machines, quench parts, operate trim presses, load inserts, ladle metal, and perform die lubrication. Die life is increased because die casting machines can be operated without breaks or shutdowns and die temperature is controlled by uniform cycle times. PRESS TRANSFER - UNIMATE robots in press transfer lines provide consistency throughput shift after shift. Large and unwieldy parts can be handled at piece rates as high as 400 per hour with no change in cycle time due to fatigue. UNIMATE robots are adaptable for long or short run operations. Programming for new part sizes can be accomplished in minutes. FORGING - operating costs are reduced when UNIMATE robots feed forge presses and upsetters. They work continuously without fatigue or the need for relief operators. INVESTMENT CASTING - scrap rates as high as 85% have been reduced to less than 15% when molds are produced by UNIMATE robots. The smooth, controlled motions of the robots provide consistent mold quality impossible to achieve manually. SPOT WELDING - UNIMATE robots spot weld cars and trucks for almost every major automotive manufacturer in the world with a uniformity of spot location and weld integrity. |
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