After its acquisition of Adept Technology in 2015, automation company OMRON Corp. is strengthening the development of robotics technologies—this time through a collaboration with Techman Robot Inc. The two companies recently signed an agreement to form a strategic alliance that will create collaborative robots for use in automation. As consumer trends continue to change sporadically, manufacturers are increasingly looking to quickly and flexibly set up production lines that can meet frequent product change-overs.
Shorter product life cycles coupled with a labor shortage are causing manufacturers to consider automating simpler and monotonous tasks. Such a change could potentially allow workplaces to focus more on creative activities. OMRON’s TM Series Collaborative Robot Family aims to achieve an innovative manufacturing environment where humans and machines work in harmony.
The TM Series Collaborative Robot makes it easier to install a robot that can automate applications such as picking, packing and screw-driving. Mounted with a collaborative robot arm on top, the series machines are not only able to transport materials from one location to another, but can also perform tasks such as pick and place parts onto trays.
While traditionally performed by humans, these tasks are still challenging to automate, which is why OMRON and Techman focused on three key features for the series:
- Intuitive programming: According to OMRON, the robot was designed to require little to no previous robot programming experience. This reduces installation and program time compared to traditional industrial robots.
- Integrated on-arm vision system: The robot is also equipped with image sensing functions such as pattern matching, bar code reading and color identification. Built-in vision and integrated lighting allow the robot to capture products with a wide viewing angle, making it easy for the machine to distinguish objects.
- Conformance to human/machine collaborative safety standards: All robots in the series comply with safety requirements for industrial robots (ISO10218-1) as well as safety requirements for collaborative industrial robots (ISO/TS15066) to collaborate with humans.
OMRON officially announced the global launch on October 25, and has begun to introduce the series in 40 countries. The company will globally market and sell Techman's TM series of collaborative robots via its worldwide distribution network under a co-branded logo.
The two companies will cooperate in developing the next generation of collaborative robots that will be easier to integrate with OMRON's other factory automation products and will help bring their vision of humans and machines working in harmony closer to reality.
A “mobile-compatible” robot model, which will seamlessly integrate into OMRON's LD mobile robot, will also be released. This will enable users to automate more complex tasks while flexibly connecting processes with autonomous mobile robots.