Epson launches more compact industrial robots
SINGAPORE — In line with its robotics vision and strategy of combining its core technologies with sensing and smart technologies in manufacturing, expanding applications, and creating a future in which robots support people in a wide variety of situations, Seiko Epson Corp. recently launched its latest batch of industrial robots – the C8 series.
Touted as Epson’s highest payload robots, the 6-axis C8 series of robots — C8, C8L and C8XL — is being offered with options for advanced sensor and vision system designed to function at a very high precision.
In a media briefing here, Ng Ngee Khiang, general manager for Southeast Asia, Robotics, Epson Singapore, said the introduction of the C8 series is expected to build on the significant growth of their robotics business which is up for three decades now.
The Epson official said that their worldwide network for the robotics segment has expanded significantly with company sales and support sites now in 64 locations in 53 countries and regions.
The company continues to see the coverage of its robotics business steadily increasing in the coming years so much so that it designated robotics as one of the four key areas of innovation it is focusing on to drive growth in the next decade, along with inkjet, visual communications and wearables.
The industrial robotics business at Epson targets to grow by 150% for Fiscal Year 2016, driven by strong demand in Southeast Asia, officials said.
The C8 series robots carries the highest payloads in Epson’s robot range, handling up to 8 kilograms at high speeds with minimal vibration.
Its advanced residual vibration control technology utilizing Epson’s Quartz Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (QMEMS) senses angular velocity and feedback to help significantly reduce vibration during motion.
The C8 series robots deliver high speed and precision in a compact space with maximum flexibility thanks to a compact wrist and slim body design.
With the sensors, Epson said: the robots are now able to “feel” forces as limited as 0.1 Newton, and can perform tasks such as assembling delicate components.
The sensors can also be used on tasks requiring human sensory perception such as polishing and deburring, freeing people from repetitive manual work.
Epson said the C8 series robots are suitable for industries/sectors like automotive, electronics, machine tools, medical devices, semiconductor, plastics and metal, and food stuffs.
“Our C8 series robots along with the force sensors has greatly expanded the applications we are able to offer customers and is a significant innovative development in the industry. With the strong demand for industrial robots in Southeast Asia, we are excited about the expanded possibilities that come with the force sensors for our customers,” said Mr. Ng.
“As we take the next step forward in the development of our robots, we envision robots that can work alongside and support humans across industries, from manufacturing to service sectors,” he added.
The Epson official further said that later this year it will launch the N- Series robots with an innovative folding arm that will allow them to be installed in very limited spaces.
Incidentally, according to the International Federation of Robotics, globally, it is estimated that from 2016 to 2018, robot installations will increase, at least by 15% on average per year, with about 18% in Asia and Australia. Between 2015 and 2018, it is estimated that about 1.3 million new industrial robots will be installed in factories around the world.