KUKA: KR SCARA Applications Boost Efficiency and Precision in a Wide Range of Industries
November 28, 2024
KUKA’s SCARA robots (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) are characterized by special features such as their high speed and repeat accuracy. With the KR SCARA in the now available 20-kg payload class and soon to be released 60-kg payload class, KUKA is further expanding its portfolio of four-axis robots. These latest additions offer an impressive combination of performance and precision. Compliance with the EU’s CE certification regulations underscores their high quality and safety standards, making them attractive to a global market.
Reach of up to 1.2 meters: KR 20 models open up new working areas with a compact design
The high-precision planetary gear of the A1 axis of the KR 20 increases rigidity and enables more stable operation. This is particularly valuable in applications that require high accuracy. The three available reaches of 800 mm, 1000 mm and 1200 mm of the horizontal articulated robot offer flexibility for different application requirements. In particular, the 1200 mm reach opens up new possibilities in work areas that were previously not covered by KUKA’s SCARA robot series.
The compact design of the KR SCARA robot, with a payload of up to 20 kg, is another advantage, facilitating the integration into existing production systems. Because of the cable connector plate on top of the A2 axis, the installation time and complexity is reduced. It is available as standard, CR and IP54 version for cleanroom applications, making it suitable for use in the electronics industry, for example.
KR SCARA with 60 kg payload: A powerhouse for battery production and more
With the KR 60, KUKA’s SCARA family welcomes another new member. With its increased payload capacity and outstanding performance in terms of rigidity and speed, this industrial robot is ready to tackle even heavy load tasks. It offers a reach of up to 1200 mm and a remarkable payload-to-weight ratio of 1:2. Designed for handling bulky and heavy battery cells or for heavy-duty palletizing in other manufacturing industries, the four-axis robot is able to cope with any kind of difficult situation with ease. The KR SCARA robots are easy to install and stand out with a cost-efficient design. They work reliably without the need for a complex steel structure or planar referencing and leveling.
Five payload classes for maximum flexibility
Besides the new models with payloads up to 20 and 60 kg, KUKA also has SCARA robots with payloads of 6, 12 and 13 kg (only available as HO version) in its portfolio. All variants are characterized by high speed, accuracy and repeatability. This makes them indispensable helpers in numerous applications, from the automotive industry to the pharmaceutical industry.
Electronics Industry: Clean top performance
Horizontal jointed-arm robots are especially useful in the electronics industry. Their accuracy, speed and reliability make them ideal for various applications:
3C Industry: KR SCARA applications master the assembly and handling of sensitive parts such as optical lenses and display glass as well as small electronic components. ISO Class 5 certified, they are suitable for clean manufacturing environments, enabling them to meet demanding quality requirements. Automating these processes reduces production errors and increases manufacturing accuracy in the 3C industry.
PCB assembly: KR SCARA robots place components on PCBs with pinpoint accuracy, speeding up the production process and at the same time minimizing errors. Their high accuracy contributes to production efficiency and significantly reduces the error rate.
Soldering and quality control: Whether for soldering work or quality control of electronic components – SCARA robots impress with their speed and reliability when carrying out high precision tasks. Their ability to work consistently ensures that each component is manufactured to the highest standards.
Automotive electronics: ESD-protected SCARA robots ensure the safe handling of electronic components in cleanrooms. These industrial robots are also ideal for pick-and-place or screw assembly applications, supporting efficiency and reliability in production. This optimizes the production flow and significantly reduces throughput times.
Four-axis robots in e-mobility and battery production
Four-axis robots help to increase productivity in the e-mobility sector and the production of batteries.
Assembly of battery modules and packs: Industrial robots handle the assembly of battery modules and packs, connecting cables and assembling battery housings to optimize the production process and ensure the highest quality standards. Automating these tasks leads to more consistent results and increases the lifetime and safety of the batteries.
Palletizing and handling: KR SCARA robots efficiently stack heavy batteries and enable fast and accurate palletizing in electric vehicle battery production. They also handle lithium batteries, electronic components and vehicle parts with ease. This increases production capacity while reducing the physical strain on employees.
Highest hygiene standards for ISO Clean Rooms
Highly sensitive areas such as the pharmaceutical industry, life sciences, biotechnology and medical technology also benefit from automated applications.
Medical technology: For the production of medical devices and instruments in Clean Room environments, the ISO 5-certified cleanroom models offer particle-free manufacturing conditions. These robots ensure safe and hygienic manufacturing processes that meet the strict standards of the healthcare industry.
Handling medical plastic parts: When handling plastic parts for medical applications, SCARA robots ensure maximum efficiency thanks to their high speed, small footprint and reliability. This significantly reduces production errors and costs as well as ensuring consistent product quality.
Pharmaceutical packaging: SCARA robots also impress in pharmaceutical packaging thanks to their fast and precise operation, thus supporting the safe handling of sensitive medicines. Automated packaging solutions minimize contamination risks and increase productivity.
Automotive industry: Optimized processes from small parts to final assembly
In the automotive industry, robotic applications play a significant role in improving efficiency and quality assurance.
Small parts assembly: KR SCARA applications are predestined for the assembly of small parts such as sensors, switches and connectors. They ensure accurate and reliable assembly processes while minimizing material loss. This increases production efficiency and ensures consistent quality of the assembled parts. The result: a significant increase in production speed.
Material handling: The robots interlink production stations and ensure a smooth process. This reduces cycle times and increases the overall efficiency of the production lines.
Food industry: Reliable automation in fast-paced production environments
SCARA robots are used successfully in the food industry. In particular, the Hygienic Oil (HO) series, which work with food-grade lubricants, meet the special requirements in the secondary sector.
Pick-and-place, conveyor tracking: KR SCARA robots ensure precise packaging and sorting of food and beverages in the shortest possible time. Their high movement accuracy enables efficient operation in fast-paced production environments. The use of these robots shortens production times and reduces operating costs.
Quality control: Integrating SCARA robots into the quality control process ensures that only flawless products are packaged, guaranteeing end customer satisfaction. Automated inspection processes also help to minimize waste and ensure consistent product quality.
Further application areas: From the plastics to the textile industry
Four-axis robots are used in many other industries and offer considerable advantages.
Rubber and plastics industry: The KR SCARA robots with protection class IP54 are ideally qualified for injection molding, joining processes and transporting heavy workpieces. Their load capacity makes them ideal for handling multiple parts. Thanks to their robust design and versatility, they increase production capacity and reduce downtime. Here you will find more information on automation in the plastics industry.
Textile industry: With their enormous flexibility and speed, SCARA robots facilitate numerous assembly steps and material handling processes in textile production. This accelerates production processes and improves product quality.
Metal industry: Due to their compactness and speed, KUKA’s SCARA robots are ideally suited to the metal industry. They enable production in the smallest manufacturing cells and support high-precision manufacturing processes. This reduces production costs and increases efficiency.
Renewable energies: In the production of renewable energies, such as the assembly of solar cells or wind turbines, SCARA robots also play a significant role and help to increase efficiency. Their fast and accurate movements enable cost-effective production of sustainable technology.
KR SCARA – a flexible all-rounder from KUKA
The new payload classes of the KR SCARA family open up a wide range of possibilities for various applications and industries. Thanks to their precision, speed and reliability, they offer an optimum solution for a wide range of automation requirements. Decision-makers and integrators benefit from the immense flexibility and variety of possible applications, which significantly increases the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of their production processes. With KUKA’s robots, companies are ideally equipped to meet the challenges of modern production.
