The headline act on FANUC’s 1,444m2 stand (C54, Hall 9) at EMO Hannover 2023 (18-23 September) will be a sneak preview of the company’s new FS500i-A series CNC which is currently in development.
Offering performance and ease of use, the new FS500i-A series includes a number of innovations. For instance, a new HMI simplifies use for experienced and new FANUC operators alike. For every task, all interactions can be handled on one screen so that there is no need to jump between several of them. In addition, the PMC (programmable machine control) can be programmed with Structured Text and the CNC supports any machine kinematics.
Although the new CNC is still under development, some of its many features are already available: The enhanced versions of FANUC’s existing advanced FS30i/31i/32i-B Plus and standard FS0i-F Plus CNC solutions already include functions for energy saving and carbon neutrality, as well as digital twin technology, which will also feature in the FS500i-A, providing direct end-user benefits.
The new CPU, combined with newly introduced features and capabilities, improves basic performance and drives cycle time reductions.
Automated production cell for automotive industry.
Central to the FANUC ROBOMACHINE display at EMO will be a complete production cell involving two ROBODRILL α-DiB Plus series machining centres, a FANUC M-20iD/25 robot on a linear rail for machine tending, an AGV (automated guided vehicle) for exchanging raw and finished part pallets, a CMM (co-ordinate measuring machine) for part measurement, and sensor and connectivity technology to provide feedback from the CMM to the ROBOMACHINEs, for example. Two ROBOCUT α-CiC wire EDM machines will also be part of the system, altogether three ROBOCUT machines will be on display at EMO.
This production cell will simulate the machining of a complex EV (electric vehicle) part in four and five axes, including turning operations using new high-speed rotary tables DDR-HSiB. Among further technologies will be FANUC’s iRVision, a 24” FANUC iPC for HMI and FANUC FsbP (FIELD system basic Package) to collect, manage and visualise data. Visitors can overlook this fully automated factory from a bridge. Another highlight will be the new FANUC ROBODRILL α-D28LiB5ADV Plus Y500 machining centre, which features an ATC with 28-station automatic tool-change capacity and a longer 500 mm Y-axis stroke. Making its debut appearance in Europe, the machine at EMO will feature a rotary table to help simulate the cutting of a large EV aluminium inverter case.
Further ROBODRILL α-DiB Plus series demonstrations at EMO will include the actual five-axis machining of an aluminium part, served by a load/unload FANUC CRX-10iA/L collaborative robot. Visitors will also see a ROBODRILL α-DiB Plus series performing live heavy-duty milling, drilling and skiving, highlighting the machine’s power. In addition, a ROBODRILL Education Cell will be present, encompassing machine, in-process measurement, two-axis table, work holding.
Elsewhere on the stand, FANUC will showcase a ROBOSHOT α-S50iB injection moulding machine using a 16mm diameter screw to produce a smartphone precision lens holder, served by a FANUC LR Mate 200iD/7L. A ROBOCUT α-CiC wire EDM is set to complete the cell, producing the lens holder mould inserts.
ROBOCUT demonstrations at EMO will include a ROBOCUT α-C600iC with rotary table that will be wire-cutting injectors for the aerospace industry. A FANUC CRX-10iA/L is set to serve as the load/unload function, with ROBOCUT LINKi providing energy monitoring.
Making its world premiere at EMO will be the FANUC ROBOCUT α-C800iC wire EDM, an 800 mm X-axis stroke machine that completes the ROBOCUT α-CiC family. At the show, this large-format machine is set to simulate the wire cutting of a complex aerospace turbine part.
Robots within reach
Aside from many robots in the ROBOMACHINE area, FANUC will have a dedicated area featuring multiple robots of different sizes and capacities. All are suitable for both beginners and experienced programmers, either using the traditional iPendant or a tablet TP.
Numerous live demonstrations show how flexibly FANUC robots can be used. In the blink of an eye, these reliable production helpers remove containers, take over palletising or assembly, transfer large castings or handle heavy batteries. Three demonstrations will involve FANUC iPC
Box (industrial PC), offering high computing power and numerous advanced vision functions that enhance performance and task reliability.
Among new FANUC robots making their debut appearance at EMO will be the CRX-25iA collaborative robot in 30 kg payload option, the FANUC M-710iD/50M with its curved arm and the CR-35iB collaborative robot in heavy-duty 50 kg option.
FIELD system: Data analysis on premise
FANUC’s IoT highlight at EMO will be the introduction of a new ‘FIELD system’ version. FIELD system Basic Package is an on-premise platform (no Internet connection required) that allows manufacturers to collect, analyse and utilise data from connected machines and devices, offering compatibility with FANUC products up to 20 years old and extending its support to third party products. It offers fast set-up, easy-to-use templates and regular update capability which enables users to realise continuous production improvements in line with Kaizen strategies.
Last but not least, EMO visitors can discover more about the company’s latest service offer enhancements, including new features of the FANUC Assisted Reality (FAR) remote support tool. For instance, the company will show tablet-sharing on a CRX collaborative robot with direct call capability to FANUC. In addition, there will be an overview of the company’s service portfolio, FANUC Academy training courses and FANUC Care, a new full-service package that is similar in effect to an extended warranty.
Completely new iterations of CNC systems do not come around very often, which makes a visit to the FANUC stand (C54, Hall 9) at EMO Hannover essential this year. On 18-23 September, the company will present a tantalising glimpse into the future of CNC technology, as represented by its in-development FS500i-A series.
Optimised for performance, the new FS500i-A will offer a number of important innovations. For instance, operators are set to benefit from FANUC’s new iHMI2 CNC interface, which maintains the appealing look and feel of FANUC’s iHMI but combines it with the familiar operability of legacy systems. For every task, all interactions can be handled on one screen so that there is no need to jump between several of them.
The FS500i-A will also provide the potential to program PMC (programmable machine control) systems using ISO-defined Structured Text language, while a further new function is the simplification of processes that require programming in five axes. Specifically, using a special tool, the future FS500i-A offers the ability to accommodate any arbitrary machine kinematics.
On display at EMO in stand-alone and LCD-mounted format, the FS500i-A series remains in development. And yet there is good news for those anxious to access some of its capabilities now as FANUC is constantly innovating to improve the capabilities of its products and therefore offers enhanced versions of the company’s current generation advanced FS30i/31i/32i-B Plus and standard FS0i-F Plus CNC solutions.
Several of the latest improvements for these series will also feature in the FS500i-A, such as functions for energy saving and digital twin technology, providing direct end-user benefits. The new CPU, combined with newly introduced features and capabilities, improves basic performance and drives cycle time reductions.
FANUC αi-D series SERVO is the company’s new servo system increasing high speed and high precision performance. And it offers not only integrated power regeneration capability but also a 10% reduction in power loss across the servo control system. As a result, users can expect the same performance with less electricity consumption, delivering energy savings and reduced carbon footprint. FANUC α
i-D series SERVO will be available with FANUC’s enhanced current-generation CNC systems, as well as the future FS500i-A series.
The same is true of CNC Reflection Studio, where end users can take advantage of a feature-rich digital twin environment to simulate all machine processes, even high-speed ones, in a safe and reliable way. The analysis of G-codes and interpolation processes is equivalent to using the actual control system thanks to co-operation with FANUC CNC GUIDE 2 software. Pre-checking machining programs has never been more convenient or reliable.
