News

News Releases

November 17, 2005
NACHI-FUJIKOSHI CORP.

Bringing of "Artis SJ120C", a Robot for the Transfer of
9th-Generation Supersized Glass Substrate into Market

NACHI-FUJIKOSHI CORP. developed "Artis SJ120C," a clean robot that accurately transfers increasingly supersized glass substrate at high speed, and we will put it into market, utilizing the technology and know-how for large-size and heavy payload robots, which we have nurtured in a car market.

*9th-Generation: 2,800~2,400mm
1.Features of the robot business at NACHI-FUJIKOSHI CORP.
  1. Advantages over large-size and heavy payload robots
     Utilizing the strength of mechanical technology and control technology accumulated in machine tool business and component business, we have one of the world's top performance and market share in the field of large-size and heavy payload robots including transfer robots and robots for spot welding of automobile bodies.
     Above all, "SC700" with the payload of 700kg, which only our company achieved in the world, largely contributes to making production lines of automobile bodies flexible and to improving productivity.
  2. Accumulation of application technology in the company
     We are introducing in-house robots into the production lines of cutting tools, bearings, hydraulic equipment, and special steels in our company to enhance productivity and quality, aiming to increase them from current 150 units to 300 units. We supply know how and application technology accumulated in our company to customers, and it contributes to robotization of various processes of operation.
  3. Establishment of a new special factory for large-size robots
     In June of 2005, we established a new special factory for large-size robots with a clean room, to respond to the expanding market for large-size robots for automobiles and flat-panel displays. As a result, we increased the production of large-size robots from monthly 300 units to 400 units.
2.The trend of the flat-panel display market
  • Due to the penetration of digital consumer electronics including flat screen television, market for LCD panels will continue to expand.
  • In order to enhance productivity, to reduce cost and to enhance yielding percentage, glass substrate is getting larger.
      Most suitable size:6th-generation(37inch)-->7th-generation(46inch)-->
      8th-generation (52inch)-->9th-generation (57inch)
  • Transfer robots for glass substrate are required to be larger, and to transfer at higher speed and with more accuracy.
3.Features of "Artis SJ120C"
  1. It responds to the transfer of 9th-generaion supersized glass substrate. (It achieved the largest payload in the world, the payload of 120kg.)

     In addition to "SJ25C" for 5th and 6th generation and "SJ80C" for 7th-generation that we have introduced as a series of robots for the transfer of glass substrate, we will bring "Artis SJ120C" for 8th and 9th generation into market.
     *We are going to make its presentation in 2005 International Robot Exhibition held in Tokyo Big Sight from November 30 to December 3.
     In order to respond to the further grow in size of glass substrate, we enabled the transfer of 9th-generation supersized glass substrate by the payload of 120kg for 1 arm (210kg for 2 arms).
  2. Adoption of link type (body bending type) structure
    1. Operating speed is fast because upper arms only turn, and it shortened transfer cycle time.
       Turning speed:180°/second, Speed of moving up and down: 1,050mm/ second
    2. It restrains disarrangement of peripheral atmosphere by swing motion to the minimum.
    3. It keeps clean environment with no generation and adherence of dust because driving structure of the robot is not above glass substrate.
       Clean degree: Federal standard 209D, class 10 (Standard in the United States, equivalent to ISO class 4)
  3. Achievement of highly precise positioning
     Vibration restraint by observer control and adoption of uniquely developed low bending horizontal arm and bending adjustment system enabled highly precise positioning with the positioning accuracy of ±0.2mm.
     *Observer control: A control system that simulates position and movement of a robot to predict and restrain generation of vibration.
  4. High reliability
     We added the life (overhaul cycle) calculation system, which is adopted in the automobile field where production line stop is not allowed, and a function such as torque consideration acceleration and deceleration, and we substantially enhanced reliability.
     *Torque consideration acceleration and deceleration function: A control function to do most suitable acceleration and deceleration by considering gravity and centrifugal force.
4.Sales target
(1) Start of sales: December 2005
(2) Sales target: 250 units / year