With a capacity 60 percent higher than the next-largest UR10e model, the UR16e can help manufacturers reduce costs, worker downtime and ergonomic challenges, the company said. Possible applications include loading and unloading injection molding machines, palletizing and end-of-line pack-out.
The six-axis cobot has a reach of 2.95 feet and offers pose repeatability of plus or minus 0.05mm. It made its North American debut in September at Pack Expo in Las Vegas.
The company said programming and integration are simple even for users with limited experience; the cobot can be unpacked, mounted and programmed to perform a task in less than an hour. A user can program a task by moving the robot arm to the desired waypoints, or by utilizing the arrow keys on the touch screen that comes with the unit. The company also offers free online robot training.
The cobot’s compact footprint and light weight (73 pounds) allow users to move it wherever it’s needed to handle multiple processes. A wide variety of end-of-arm tools can be ordered through Universal Robots’ website.
Joe Campbell, Universal Robots' senior manager of application development, said the UR16e has advantages beyond its ability to handle heavier parts.
“The heavier payload will support applications for mold insertion that require dual part grippers to meet cycle-time requirements, and that same advantage will extend into secondary processes such as de-gating, trimming, embossing and inspection,” he said. “Trimming and other material removal applications will benefit, as the UR16e will be able to handle larger tools and milling heads.
“And since many molders are now delivering sub-assemblies build from multiple parts, the UR16e will deliver additional capability in material handling, packing and palletizing of finished assemblies."
The UR16e is the latest in the e series of cobots, which also includes the UR3e, UR5e and UR10e models. All come with a 12-inch touch screen with a graphical user interface, built-in force sensing, 17 configurable safety functions (including customizable stopping time and stopping distance) and an intuitive programming flow. The numbers in their model names indicate their payload capacity in kilograms. The UR16e meets safety standards for unobstructed human-robot collaboration.
“In today’s uncertain economic climate, manufacturers need to look at flexible solutions to stay competitive,” Jürgen von Hollen, president of Universal Robots, said in a press release. “With UR16e, we meet the need for a collaborative robot that can tackle heavy-duty tasks reliably and efficiently. This launch significantly expands the versatility of our product portfolio and gives manufacturers even more ways to improve performance, overcome labor challenges and grow their business.”
Lynne Sherwin, managing editor
Universal Robots USA Inc., Boston, 844-462-6268, www.universal-robots.com
