KUKA robots handle heavy payloads in light, compact system

The KR FORTEC ultra from KUKA (Augsburg, Germany) is a series of heavy-duty robots capable of handling payloads up to 800 kg (1,764 lbs). The series offers high performance in small spaces, having a footprint of 950 x 970 mm (37.4 x 38.2 inches), and features fast and precise handling of large components with a high moment of inertia. 

The series has an extremely rigid design with a double link arm system, powerful motors, and heavy-duty gear units. The double link arm reduces the weight of the system while ensuring high stiffness and accuracy. It reduces the use of materials, which results in higher dynamic performance, optimal cycle times, less energy consumption, and a lower CO2 footprint. The reduced weight results in the KR FORTEC ultra’s favorable payload to weight ratio of 800 kg payload to 2.4 metric tonnes (1,764 lbs. to 2.65 US tons) or 640 kg payload to 2.2 metric tonnes (1,411 lbs. to 2.43 US tons).

The new family comprises five robot variants, each ideally suited to a specific application. The KR 800 handles payloads of up to 800 kg (1,764 lbs). The two KR 480 variants reach up to 3700 mm (145.7 inches). The high inertia variant of the KR 640 and KR 560 increase the maximum permissible mass moment of inertia significantly with extended grippers. 

The KR FORTEC ultra series has an intelligent modular and shared parts concept that allows the optimum robot to be selected for an application and adapted in the field. It focuses on the use of as many shared parts as possible within the robot family, including castings, motors, and gear units. The series has a mean time before failure of up to 400,000 hours, reducing spare parts cost. Furthermore, the robots of the KR FORTEC ultra family have easily accessible components and easy maintenance and repair. The robots require only three forms of maintenance: oil changes, visual inspection, and lubrication of the cable set and the bearings on the counterbalance system. 

For more information: https://www.kuka.com/en-us/products/robotics-systems/industrial-robots/kr-fortec-ultra-heavy-duty-robot