By Bruce Geiselman
Epson Robots on June 2 unveiled its new top-tier GX series of SCARA robots that deliver what the company calls “next-level performance and flexibility.”
“As our customers evolve over time, they need more performance; their environments are getting more challenging,” said Aaron Donlon, Epson robotics product manager.
Customers want increased payloads along with high accuracy, but they want these features in robots that can fit in confined areas.
“Footprint is a real challenge for them,” Donlon said. “This is our flagship SCARA model. It’s the top of the top. … It’s our high-power-density robot.”
The new series consists of the GX8, with a payload of about 17.6 pounds, and the GX4, with an 8.8-pound payload. The company’s top-tier SCARA robots prior to this new line were robots in the G series, with payloads of about 13.2 pounds and 6.6 pounds.
The new robots have the same footprint or form factor as the comparable G-series models but are equipped with larger motors to handle heavy workloads at faster speeds without compromising accuracy.
They offer high throughput and smooth motion control, according to the company.
“For our GX4, we have precision down to 8 microns, which is really, really high precision,” Donlon said.
The GX-series robots feature Epson’s GYROPLUS vibration-reduction system and rigid arm design, which aid in precision, according to the company. They can perform high-precision tasks, including assembly, pick and place, and small-parts handling. Both robots have battery-less encoders and built-in Ethernet cables.
The GX4 has a reach of 9.8 inches to 13.8 inches, and the GX8 has a reach of 17.7 inches to 25.6 inches.
They are available in multiple versions including standard, clean-room (ISO 3) and electrostatic-discharge-protected models. The GX8 also supports IP65, which is a water-resistance standard, according to the company.
The GX4 and GX8 are equipped with Epson RC+ industrial automation development software, which streamlines automation with a simple interface, according to the company.
Vision guidance, parts feeding, force guidance, conveyor tracking, Fieldbus, API.NET and arm-length calibration options are available as integrated features.
Details about the GX4 and GX8 SCARA robots are available at https://epson.com/gx-scara-robot-series. The company is showcasing the robots from June 6-9 at Automate in Detroit in Booth 2018.
Contact:
Epson Robots, Carson, Calif., 562-290-5910, www.epsonrobots.com
Bruce Geiselman, senior staff reporter
Bruce Geiselman | Senior Staff Reporter
Senior Staff Reporter Bruce Geiselman covers extrusion, blow molding, additive manufacturing, automation and end markets including automotive and packaging. He also writes features, including In Other Words and Problem Solved, for Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing, Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. He has extensive experience in daily and magazine journalism.
