Universal Robots A/S will be showcasing its UR20 cobot arm for the first time in the U.S. during the International Manufacturing Technology Trade Show later this month in Chicago.
Unveiled in June, the UR20 is the Odense, Denmark-based company’s newest collaborative robot in years. The cobot can carry payloads of up to 20 kg (44.1 lb.) and has a reach of 1,750 mm (68.9 in.). Before the UR20, the UR16e was the company’s highest-payload cobot. It can carry items up to 16 kg (35.3 lb.) and has a reach of 900 mm (35 in.).
“More than half of all U.S. manufacturing tasks are automatable, a fact that businesses start to realize as they simply cannot fill open positions,” stated Joe Campbell, senior manager of applications development and strategic marketing at Universal Robots. “We are launching a redefined cobot that has been completely re-engineered from the ground up, focused on freeing up more manpower within a wide range of human-scale automation tasks.”
Universal Robots said the UR20 will be “loading and unloading workpieces into a machine fixture requiring a long reach” at its booth.
The company said it re-engineered the cobot’s joint to deliver 30% more speed and torque within a closed capsule. In fact, the UR20’s base joint can produce 700 Newton-meters of torque, noted Anders Beck, vice president of innovation and strategy at Universal Robots.
“This is more than a performance model Tesla produces on all of its wheels,” he said in a statement. “Even with the increase in reach and torque, we’ve managed to retain the cobot’s 50 microns repeatability, while using standard single-phase power.”
Universal Robots' technology will also be on display at other exhibits on the show floor.
“Our cobots will be in more than 20 other booths at the show as well, each showcasing different ways to incorporate cobots into machining applications,” said Campbell. “We’re looking forward to meet every IMTS attendee, no matter where they’re at in their automation journey.”
Multiple booths to feature cobot technology
- Shunk will launch its EGU universal electric gripper, which will be compatible with the UR20 through the URCap accessories and peripherals platform
- Vectis Automation will demonstrate the water-cooled version of its Cobot Welding Tool
- Hirebotics will also showcase its Cobot Welder, which features a rotary positioner
- Mid Atlantic Machinery will show its Press Brake Operator Package, which includes a UR10e on a modular parts cart with a machine tool interface and a zone safety scanner
- Robotiq will showcase its CNC machine-tending system
- VersaBuilt will show its Mill Automated System
- PCC Robotics will demonstrate an efficient machine cell setup, as a UR10e equipped with OnRobot’s dual 3FG15 gripper mounted on EasyRobotics’ ProFeeder feeds parts to an air vise
- Kane Robotics will display its GRIT XL-X robotic system
UR sees 30% growth in first two quarters of 2022
Universal Robots said it has seen a 30% growth across the first two quarters of 2022 when compared with the first half of 2021. It attributed its success, in part, to its partners.
“A significant contributor to UR’s growth is OEMs that now increasingly incorporate UR cobots into full solutions, a sales channel that grew 39% year-over-year,” the company stated. “At IMTS, UR has invited several OEM and UR+ partners to its booth, including Vectis Automation, Hirebotics, VersaBuilt Robotics, Robotiq, Kane Robotics, PCC Robotics, and Mid Atlantic Machinery.”
At IMTS, Universal Robots will be located at Booth 236949. The event will take place from Sept. 12 to 17 at the McCormick Place.
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