The new KR FORTEC ultra family: ultimate power in compact design from KUKA
The classic industrial robots are sometimes neglected at this point. I am all the more pleased about corresponding press releases that I can pass on. This is particularly helpful because my expertise in the payload class > 30 kg is becoming increasingly limited as the payload increases. As can be seen from the following lines, the new KR FORTEC are very important for electromobility. Incidentally, no cobot is likely to achieve an operating life of up to 400,000 hours (45 years), as promised for the KR FORTEC.
Technically unbeatable for manufacturing processes with heavy and large-volume components
Augsburg, January 2023 - The robots of the KR FORTEC ultra family set new standards in the heavy payload range from 480 to 800 kilograms. They are ideally designed for high payloads and moments of inertia, and in particular meet the new requirements of electromobility.
The new KR FORTEC ultra family from KUKA is made up of five robot variants - each of them suitable for a specific application. The KR 800, for example, excels at handling payloads weighing up to 800 kilograms. The two KR 480 variants have very long reach ranges of up to 3,700 millimeters. In addition, the maximum permissible mass moment of inertia of the KR 640 and the KR 560 can be significantly increased again with a high inertia variant for particularly protruding grippers.
"We developed the robots of the new KR FORTEC ultra family in close cooperation with our customers. They are our response to the changing requirements of the automotive industry, with ever larger vehicles, very large components for electric cars or heavy batteries," explains Wolfgang Bildl, Portfolio Manager at KUKA.
"Double up": Innovative double-swing design impresses with numerous advantages
The most striking feature of the robots in the new KR FORTEC ultra family is the double-arranged swing arm. This innovative design ensures high rigidity and accuracy while at the same time reducing dead weight. This results in higher dynamics, optimum cycle times, lower energy consumption and a lowerCO2 footprint due to the reduced use of materials.
Incredibly strong. Extremely compact and lightweight
"In order to cover a payload range of 800 kilograms and high mass moments of inertia, customers with other manufacturers have to resort to robots in the next payload class up, which are significantly heavier and more cost-intensive to purchase and maintain," says Wolfgang Bildl. Customers of the new KR FORTEC ultra family can save themselves that trouble, because the robots offer a first-class ratio of performance to dead weight.
The very high mean time between failure (MTBF) of up to 400,000 hours offers customers low spare parts costs and high availability. In addition, the new robots in the KR FORTEC ultra family meet all customer requirements for very good component accessibility and ease of maintenance and repair. For example, only three different maintenance tasks are required: oil change, visual inspection, and lubrication of the cable set and the bearings on the counterbalance. "The KR FORTEC ultra is the robot with the lowest total cost of ownership in its class," continues Wolfgang Bildl.
Intelligent modular concept for optimum lifecycle performance
In the KR FORTEC ultra modular system, one focus is on the use of as many identical parts as possible, such as castings, motors and gear units, within the robot family. This helps to minimize the costs of stocking spare parts and to standardize maintenance processes.
With the KL 5000, KUKA is also launching a new high-performance linear unit to increase the robot's work envelope. With a standard length of up to 31 m, it offers a great deal of flexibility in system design. Extensions and up to four robots per KL are possible. Modular segments allow easy integration without welding. The automatic lubrication system results in less maintenance and higher availability.
Another highlight is the new energy supply system with new K-pipe and modified interface on axis 2, which impresses above all with its long service life and minimized wear with a smaller interference contour and simplified maintenance and replacement. It can also be customized to meet various requirements. Equipment that is perfectly matched to the robot saves time and costs during integration.
(Photos: KUKA AG)
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The author of this blog is significantly involved in the AI/robotics project Opdra. He answers companies the question if and how a robot could be used in your company (initial analysis including recommendation). This in the greater areas of Trier and Lüneburg as well as Eastern Germany without Leipzig/ Berlin for 700 € net, in the rest of Germany for an all-inclusive price of 1,750 € net (incl. travel). The low price is possible thanks to promotion. Permanently looking for interesting solutions, he has already seen hundreds of applications. For this reason, his customers also include large companies that have know-how but do not know the entire market. For companies with 250 employees or more or those based in Austria or Switzerland, the flat rate does not apply. You can find more about him here.