Universal Robots to debut new cobot solutions at APPEX 2024

Universal Robots announced the launch of its UR30 cobot in November 2023, and has since seen several of these heavy-payload cobots successfully deployed globally. The company will be demonstrating the UR30 locally for the first time at APPEX 2024, along with the UR20’s new feature for welding and the UR10e box palletising solution.

“We are really excited to showcase the UR30 solution to the Australian market for the first time,” said Masayuki Mase, Country Manager for Australia New Zealand. “We believe there is great potential for the UR20 and UR30 cobots in palletising because of their reach and payload capabilities, supplemented by the ever-growing UR+ ecosystem. End-of-line packaging and palletising is our bread and butter here in Australia, and it’s the application type that brings us the most enquiries and sales.”

Putting cobot solutions in the spotlight

Universal Robots will be showcasing three cobot solutions that are suitable for use in palletising and packaging applications

The UR10e will be featured in a box palletising application, set up with a palletising solution supplied by regional strategic partner Robotiq. The medium-sized UR10e combines long reach (1300 mm) and high payload (up to 12.5 kg), which enables the operator to achieve a maximum pallet height of 2.7 m as a solution. It integrates seamlessly into a wide range of applications to meet automation requirements.

The UR20 will be demonstrated in a welding application. According to Mase, “We are showcasing a new feature on this robot for the first time, called Co-Ordinated Motion. It allows us to do welding or dispensing applications for large parts in a single continuous motion.” The 1750 mm reach of the UR20 also makes it a suitable choice for palletising, as it can reach well beyond all corners of Australian pallets.

The UR30 will display a heavy bag lifting application, lifting bags of 20 kg. “We use a suction-based bag gripper as our end effector on this application,” Mase said.

Despite its compact size, the UR30 can work at higher speeds and lift heavier loads (up to 30 kg). This makes it suitable for applications including machine tending, materials handling and high torque screw driving.

“The UR20 and UR30 address some of the major challenges facing local industry,” Mase said. “In taking over repetitive physical tasks often associated with movements such as bending over, twisting and lifting loads, they enable organisations to prevent the risk of RSI injuries. Plus, they fill the labour gap that so many of our clients are grappling with, where the current workforce is aging and is more susceptible to injuries, but younger workers are not interested in taking up manual jobs.”

Universal Robots’ first appearance in the Australian market dates to 2014, and 2011 for New Zealand. Its local support ecosystem has grown over time, and the company now offers national coverage in Australia as well as across New Zealand.

Universal Robots will be exhibiting at booth G165 at APPEX (taking place from 12–15 March 2024 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre) and at booth RA527 at Australian Manufacturing Week (taking place from 17–19 April 2024 at ICC Sydney).