While FANUC is known as a leading global provider of industrial automation for manufacturing, the company also makes robots for warehousing and logistics. At ProMAT later this month, FANUC America Corp. plans to show its industrial and collaborative robots for new applications intended to enhance warehouse efficiency and productivity.
“As consumer demand for faster delivery and a wider variety of products continues to grow, automation has become an essential driver of FANUC’s ongoing innovation,” said Anthony Cantrell, executive director for warehouse and logistics at FANUC America.
“By enhancing efficiency and increasing productivity, our wide variety of warehouse solutions are not only meeting the evolving needs of the industry, but [also] creating smarter and more rewarding warehouse jobs,” he added. “Promat 2025 provides an excellent platform for FANUC America to demonstrate our commitment to this sector and the critical role we play in it.”
The company won a 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for the production of its one-millionth industrial robot.
Robotic applications to see in Chicago
At Booth N8301 in McCormick Place, FANUC America plans to show the following systems:
- All-new mobile robotic order fulfillment, featuring the FANUC CRX-10iA/L collaborative robot arm and OTTO 600 autonomous mobile robot (AMR). Combining the mobility of an AMR with the 1,418 mm (55.8 in.) of reach of a mounted cobot, the mobile manipulator can retrieve and kit various products. It does this while simultaneously parking to charge the AMR while unloading products from its mounted bins to the table.
- All-new full-layer depalletizing, using the FANUC M-410/800F-32C industrial robot. The company said this high-payload palletizing system uses its new R-50iA controller. Using a powerful modular layer gripper, the robot can handle payloads weighing up to 800 kg (1,763.7 lb.), increasing productivity as it picks and places full layers of product from one pallet to the next.
- All-new tote consolidation with the FANUC M-10/12-14D light industrial robot. Demonstrating pick-and-place technology to improve the warehouse experience for workers, this robot communicates with FANUC’s 3DV and 2D iRVision cameras, plus an RFID reader, to pick and identify various items for tote consolidation.
- All-new label inspection, featuring the FANUC CRX-10iA cobot. In this 3DV vision demonstration, ProMAT attendees can easily use the CRX cobot‘s three-button wrist to free-hand teach and program the pass or fail inspection of cardboard package labels.
- Cart-to-cart palletizing and depalletizing, thanks to FANUC’s M-710/50-26D curved-arm industrial robot. Using PalletTool and artificial intelligence box detection, two 3DV vision mounted cameras can identify hard-to-decipher box edges in stock carts. The system can depalletize and palletize as it efficiently picks and places into deep containers. The M-710/50-26D robot’s curved arm allows it to reach in and out of these narrow carts without difficulty.
- Vertical put wall pick and place, using the FANUC CRX-10iA with Power Motion i Model A Plu (PMi-AP). This system offers CNC-style motion control alongside a CRX-10iA cobot outfitted with FANUC 3DV vision to demonstrate order fulfillment and easy integration of FANUC’s robots with its CNC. The company claimed that the system is easy to deploy and scale. “Automated put walls improve productivity in warehouses and distribution centers by increasing order fulfillment while decreasing labor costs,” it said.
FANUC offers help with user adoption
FANUC America said ProMAT attendees will be able to see live demonstrations, interact with its robots, and speak to experts, as well as learn more about how these advanced systems can benefit their operations.
Last month, the company launched the Tech Transfer website with free training videos to help users of its industrial and collaborative robots.
FANUC America is a subsidiary of Japan-based FANUC Corp. It provides industry-leading CNC systems, robotics, and ROBOMACHINEs. The Rochester Hills, Mich.-based company said its innovative technologies and expertise help manufacturers throughout North and South America maximize productivity, reliability, and profitability.