FANUC Corporation and Rockwell Automation announce integrated manufacturing solutions

FANUC Corporation and Rockwell Automation have expanded their collaboration in the CNC and Logix programmable automation controller (Logix PAC) environments, with further integration of robotics, ROBOMACHINEs and enterprise software products.

“FANUC had already been offering flexible open interfaces to complementary automation systems globally. However, FANUC and Rockwell Automation together agree that our globally shared customer base wants a completely integrated automation solution. So I am proud to announce this advanced global collaboration with Rockwell Automation that allows us to offer a preferred integration solution to our customers around the world,” stated Dr Eng Yoshiharu Inaba, President and CEO of FANUC Corporation.

Rockwell Automation Chairman and CEO Keith D Nosbusch stated, “The global collaboration between Rockwell Automation and FANUC is a direct response to our customers’ needs for more effective integration across manufacturing disciplines. Integrating FANUC CNC, robot and ROBOMACHINE portfolios with our integrated control and information solutions will result in better manufacturing agility to help customers achieve a secure connected enterprise.”

The two organisations recently demonstrated the collaborative solutions at The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS 2014) in Chicago, Illinois. Demonstrations included:

• A fully integrated automotive machining cell - showcasing FANUC ROBODRILLs powered by FANUC CNCs, integrated with a Rockwell Automation Logix PAC, showing automotive machining with a FANUC robot loading/unloading FANUC ROBODRILLs.
• An ability to use a Rockwell Automation HMI to operate a FANUC robot - allowing attendees to use a Rockwell Automation industrial computer which supports FANUC 4D graphics to operate a FANUC robot in an interactive kiosk.
• A fenceless robot cell in action - demonstrating a fenceless FANUC robot system using Rockwell Automation safety sensors.
• Live access to machining data from multiple sources using traditional HMI and commercial mobile devices - Rockwell Automation Logix PAC and FactoryTalk View and VantagePoint software gather machining data from FANUC CNCs in four different locations: a remote fabrication factory at FANUC in Japan, the automotive cell in the FANUC IMTS Booth, a five-axis demo of two machines in the FANUC IMTS Booth and the Rockwell Automation automotive powertrain demo in the Rockwell Automation IMTS Booth.
• Component assembly demo - the Rockwell Automation iTRAK Intelligent Track System integrated with a FANUC robot showcases independent control of multiple pallets for component assembly in the Rockwell Automation IMTS Booth.

Similar demonstrations are planned globally at additional events including at JIMTOF (in Tokyo from 30 October-4 November 2014) and Automation Fair (in California from 19-20 November 2014).