KUKA to Show New Automation for Fabrication and Metalworking at FABTECH 2023

At FABTECH 2023, KUKA AG said it plans to unveil two systems for robotics education. The industrial automation provider also plans to show metalworking technologies with partners, as well as additive manufacturing offerings.

“The conference agenda for FABTECH includes more than a dozen sessions related to workforce development, retention, or training,” stated Casey DiBattista, chief regional officer for North America at KUKA. “Taking an active role in robotics training and education fulfills our promise to be a single source in automation for our customers and partners.”

FABTECH is North America's largest metal forming, fabrication, welding, and finishing event, according to organizer SME. KUKA will feature product demonstrations at Booth B27051 at McCormick Place in Chicago from Sept. 11 to 14.

KUKA to display educational carts

“ready2_educate_arc is a mobile, all-in-one training cart that provides fast and accurate robotic welding programming, operation, and even the manufacturing of small parts,” said KUKA. “It is ideal for schools, universities, and company training.”

The cart can fit through standard-size doors and can be used without the welder for general training, the company noted. It also includes a fume extractor, a built-in fixture table, and optional simulation software.

KUKA will also will also premier the KUKA ready2_educate_print, a training cart for robotics and additive manufacturing.

Partners to share demos at FABTECH

Machina Labs, a KUKA System Partner, will showcase precision metal forming and rapid prototyping with two KR 500 FORTEC robots using KUKAs RoboTeam software.

KUKA is also partnering with Autotool Inc. to demonstrate automation for Tier 1 automotive production. They will show applications including:

• Spot welding with a KR QUANTEC-2
• KUKA's latest mobility innovation, the KMP 1500 mobile platform
• Automated tip dressing, adhesive dispensing, and self-piercing rivets

Welding automation designed for easy entry

FABTECH 2023 attendees can also watch the KR CYBERTECH ARC hollow wrist (HW) work with KUKA's DKP two-axis positioner to see how complex additive production is within reach with intelligent automation.

The KR CYBERTECH nano ARC HW Edition robot is available with two reaches: 1,440 mm (56.6 in.) and 2,010 mm (79.1 in.). It features a hollow wrist with bearings on both sides and a repeatability of 0.04 mm (0.0015 in.).

For the “Edition” robot, KUKA has implemented its latest KR C5 controller generation and appropriate software packages.

Augsburg, Germany-based KUKA is a unit of China's Midea Group and provides industrial automation for healthcare, automotive manufacturing, and logistics, among other industries. The company has U.S. offices in Michigan.