Industrial robots have been around for some time and seem to be here to stay. The need for automated robots in the day to day operations of manufacturing industries cannot be overemphasized; from the handling of raw materials, to continuous round-the-clock production, to effective navigation of confined spaces—the possibilities are basically endless. And with the new Flexion N6 6-Axis robot from Epson, the future of robotics is certainly promising.
Building on the previously released Flexion N2—which received the Edison Award for Innovation in 2017 for being the world’s first robot to feature a unique folding arm design—the N6 was created with a longer arm of about 1000mm and a stronger footprint-to-reach ratio, which allows the arm to reach farther from the body. The N6 arm is rated for handling payloads as heavy as 6kg and has a reach of about 850mm. The arm’s range of motion is also quite admirable with a 180-360 degrees motion capability from the upper arm to the wrist.
Another unique feature of the Flexion N6 robot is its unique motion capability in tight spaces which allows the robot’s arm to evade obstacles. This coupled with its integrated vision guidance allows for the automation of simple applications that require vision. The N6 also reduces intermediate points and shortens cycle times by folding under itself, and it is perfect for vertical load and unload applications.
The potential applications areas of the Flexion N6 robot include the handling of pills in the pharmaceutical industry, well-plate management in labs, as well as parts assembly in the medical, automotive, and consumer goods industries.
Epson’s Flexion N6 6-Axis robot is scheduled for release later in 2018 and it will be available in both tabletop and ceiling configurations.