The Lincoln Electric Company introduced its latest version of the eCell LR dual fixed table robotic cell for fabrication shops looking to significantly improve welding productivity on small- to medium-sized parts.

 

Company officials claim the new robotic arm is designed for mounting at any angle on any plane including the roof and walls of a welding booth, and in order to telescope related manufacturing cycles, many of these robotic arms can be used tandem.

 

The eCell is sleek and designed ergonomically to save space, and has a rugged steel and aluminium enclosure, company officials said. Its software is programmed to deliver “extreme flexibility” in all six axes, works at consistently super high speeds, has the capability to churn out significant numbers of finished parts, and guarantees precision output.

 

Lincoln claimed that its eCell LR includes the latest technology in the Power Wave i400 welding power source and AutoDrive 4R90 welding wire drive for enhanced short arc and spray MIG welding, synergic MIG and MIG pulse welding or flux-cored arc welding. Company officials said it is best suited for parts that do not require reorientation and can be used to weld a variety of materials, including steel, stainless steel and aluminium.

The robotic apparatus, shown at right, is designed with an optimum reach to stroke ratio at high axis speeds and uses Fanuc ARC Mate 50iC/5L robotic arm. The ArcTool software provides a performance to cost index that stays within allotted budgets. Its “collision guard” torch protection software has password protection, and the robotic device is also available with TorchMate 3, which is an automatic tool centerpoint software, and Touch Sensing, which is an automatic part location software.

 

Other examples of reported robotics for “well-defined” uses are: A space robotic arm that is mounted atop the Space Shuttles to inspect the space craft’s solar panels and replace if required; robotic, microscopic, pin-point accuracy, insertion and navigation of catheters within the human body to rectify differently beating hearts, or arrhythmias; a first generation prototype robot capable of following receiving, interpreting and responding accurately to hand signals, body motion and verbal commands; and, packaging robots that top load fresh and frozen food at 50 to 240 per minute.

 

Lincoln officials said that the eCell is compliant to American National Standards Institute / Robotics Industries Association 15.06-99 and includes ergonomic placement of operator panels and controls.