Yaskawa Motoman releases high-payload PL500 palletizing robot

Yaskawa Motoman has released the 500-kg-payload PL500 robot, ideal for a variety of palletizing applications, unitized loads and other logistical tasks for end-of-line or distribution automation.

The PL500 features extremely fast axis speeds and acceleration for maximum production throughput. It offers a large work envelope and a high payload to efficiently load/unload pallets, and handles full layers or a variety of product including boxes, bags, bottles and cases.

The PL500 features a 3,159 mm horizontal reach, 3,024 mm vertical reach and ±0.5 mm repeatability.

Its T-axis features a 60-mm pass-through to facilitate connections to the end-of-arm tool, as well as a high moment of inertia to ensure unbalanced loads are handled effectively.

Parallel-link construction also provides strength, rigidity and stabilization of high moment and inertia loads, while heavy-duty bearings provide smooth arm rotation.

A single cable is all that is needed to connect the manipulator to the controller. Airlines and cables are routed internally from the base to the end-of-arm tool to maximize reliability, and a cable installation tube facilitates fieldbus routing to the upper arm and/or gripper.

The PL500 robot can be floor-mounted, and brakes are included on all axes. The robot is controlled by the high-performance YRC1000 controller that is built to a global standard and does not require a transformer for input voltages ranging from 380AC to 480VAC.