Kawasaki Robotics launches CL Series of industrial-grade advanced collaborative robots at IMTS 2024

Kawasaki Robotics launched its new CL Series of intelligent collaborative robots (cobots), at IMTS 2024 in Chicago.

The CL Series of cobots are available for order in multiple payloads. Kawasaki’s new industrial robotic options at the show represent applications such as welding, machine tending and material removal give manufacturers flexibility and advanced capabilities when choosing automation to meet their diverse needs.

CL Series creates “new era” of collaborative automation

Developed in partnership with NEURA Robotics, the CL Series cobots challenge the current understanding of collaborative robots, according to the companies. The CL Series offer full-on industrial scale performance and speed paired with maximum protection without compromising the safety and flexibility advantages of human/robot collaboration.

“Kawasaki Robotics is committed to delivering the advanced automation technology manufacturers need to maintain production schedules without having to compromise quality or safety,” said Seiji Amazawa, president, Kawasaki Robotics. “We lead the robotics industry by collaborating with innovative partners such as AMT, Hurco, Wauseon Machine and NEURA Robotics, integrating our technology with theirs to harness the best in human ingenuity.”

Compact and robust, using the same durable casing as Kawasaki Robotics’ industrial robot arms, the CL Series cobots can operate without protective covers in crowded and harsh environments that may not be suitable for other cobots. Operating in Zero Gravity (Zero G), the CL Series cobots requires only light guidance and precise adjustments by hand to create highly efficient offerings for applications such as machine tending and welding.

“With our CL Series cobots, we’re entering a new era of collaborative automation,” Amazawa said. “By providing advanced capabilities along with industrial scale performance and speed as standard features, we boost productivity, improve product quality and worker safety, and reduce rework requirements. Our entirely new way and agile approach to collaborative robots enables manufacturers to more easily address labor shortages while yielding excellent return on investment.”

The CL Series cobots support a variety of payloads and reach from 3 kg/590 mm to 10 kg/1000 mm, with higher payloads such as 15kg expected to hit the market within the next year. Built with components such as integrated 24-bit encoders, the CL Series operates at a speed of 200°/s and a repeatability of +/– 0.02 mm.

The user interface makes automating production lines easier than ever before, according to Kawasaki. Free mounting orientations, extremely small footprint and IP66 classification provide unparalleled flexibility. The proprietary safety architecture includes such features as limits and collision detection, enabling CL Series cobots to operate reliably alongside human workers.

At IMTS 2024, Kawasaki Robotics demonstrated the full family of CL Series cobots in a cooperative motion display. The company also showcased a CL110 cobot machine tending an upgraded Wauseon Machine 1004EL Electric End Forming Machine, and a CL108 cobot allowed users to experience the CL Series Zero-G mode by hand guiding and recording programs using the lightest touch. Saved parameters improve setup consistency and reduce setup errors.

Other robots for machining at IMTS 2024

Other robots Kawasaki demonstrated at IMTS include:

• Robotic Machine Tending Shelf System: This turnkey, no code, robotic machine tending offering using a modular shelf system for part feeding was developed in partnership with Hurco, a developer of CNC machining equipment. The demo featured a Kawasaki RS013N robot, 16 workpieces – four fixtured to pallets and 12 held in 5^th Axis LiteVises and a Hurco VM15Di CNC machine that is all operated using Hurco’s WinMax CNC Controls. The system was designed to keep up with customer demand for high-mix, low-volume parts manufacturing without the need to learn how to program a robot. Ultimately, machinists receive a safe option that can handle a range of part sizes and volumes and can expand capacity to meet highly specific application needs.

• Welding Robots: These Kawasaki arc welding robots use state-of-art technology to increase quality and efficiency. New models featured at IMTS include the BA013N and BA013L with built-in intelligence, real-time path modification, and adaptive arc welding and RTPM capabilities to help manufacturers improve quality and meet production goals.

• Robofin: Developed in partnership with AMT and NEFF Automation, this versatile robotic material removal offering solves various finishing needs. RoboFin can handle diverse materials and surface types, increase abrasive life up to 3X, and provide precision and consistency to deliver the same high-quality output every time.

• K-Positioners: These positioners enable robots to easily manipulate workpiece position to ensure the welding torch is positioned at the optimal angle and distance for consistent, high-quality welds. By automating workpiece movement, positioners speed up the welding process, reducing overall cycle times while at the same time reducing the need for reworking.

• K-Tracks: Incorporating K-tracks simplifies reconfiguration of production lines and reduces the overall number of robots required as a single robot can now accommodate different products and processes. This flexibility is crucial in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing market conditions, enabling manufacturers to adapt quickly to new demands, requirements and opportunities.